Pentoxifylline promotes spermatogenesis via upregulation of the Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway in a mouse model of germ-cell apoptosis induced by testicular torsion-detorsion.

CONTEXT: Testicular torsion-detorsion results in loss of germ cells and infertility. Pentoxifylline has been shown to prevent tissue damage. AIMS: To determine the effect of pentoxifylline on germ cell survival in torsion-detorsion induced apoptosis Methods: Twenty male mice were divided into four groups of five animals each: Control, T1 (Torsion-detorsion+single dose 100mg/kg Pentoxifylline/IP), T2 (Torsion-detorsion+daily 20mg/kg pentoxifylline/IP for 2weeks, and T/D (Torsion-detorsion only). 35thday after torsion-detorsion, the left testes of all the animals were harvested for histological and biochemical analysis. KEY RESULTS: Histomorpholoical analysis showed significant increase (P <0.05) in seminiferous tubule diameter, Johnsen's score and germ cells of Control and T1 compared to T2 and T/D, with no significant difference (P >0.05) in testis weight, sertoli, leydig and myoid cells. Tunnel assay showed significant increase (P <0.05) in apoptotic cells of T/D and T2 animals compared to Control and T1. RT-PCR analysis showed significant high (P <0.01) mRNA expression of Bax gene in T/D compared to T1 and T2 and significant increase (P <0.05) of Bcl2 in Control, T1, T2 compared to T/D. Nrf2-ARE transcripts revealed significant increase (P <0.05) in Control and T1 compared to T2 and T/D. Western blot showed significantly increased (P <0.05) caspase-3 in T/D compared to Control, T1 and T2. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline promotes spermatogenesis and suppressed apoptosis induced by testicular torsion-detorsion. IMPLICATION: Pentoxifylline could serve as adjunct therapy to surgery in the treatment of torsion-detorsion induced germ cell apoptosis.

Pentoxifylline improves the survival of spermatogenic cells via oxidative stress suppression and upregulation of PI3K/AKT pathway in mouse model of testicular torsion-detorsion.

Testicular torsion-detorsion results in enhanced formation of free radicals which contribute to the pathophysiology of testicular tissue damage. Recent reports have identified protective role of pentoxifylline (PTX) against free radicals. Thus, we determined the protective effect of pentoxifylline against testicular damage in mouse model of testicular torsion-detorsion. Twenty (6 weeks old) male mice were divided into 4 groups of 5 animals each namely: Control (sham operated group), T1 (Torsion-detosion + single dose 100 mg/kg PTX, T2 (torsion-detorsion + 20 mg/kg PTX for 2 weeks and T/D (torsion-detorsion only). Animals in T1, T2 and T/D groups underwent 2 h of testicular torsion with the left testes rotated 720° (clockwisely) followed by 30 min of detorsion. After detorsion, drug administration was done intraperitoneally. The left testes of all the animals were excised on the 35th day after torsion-detortion for histopathological and biochemical assay. Histomorphological analysis of the seminiferous tubules showed that there were significant increase (P < 0.01 or 0.05) in the mean seminiferous tubule diameter, Johnson score and germ cells of animals in Control and T1 compared to T2 and T/D with no significant difference (P > 0.05) in testes weight, sertoli, leydig and myoid cells in all groups. IHC results showed significant increase (P < 0.01 or 0.05) in id4 and scp3 protein markers in Control, T1 and T2 compared to T/D. Oxidative stress analysis revealed that Pentoxifylline significantly increased (P < 0.01 or 0.05) the level of SOD, catalase, mRNA expression of akt and pi3k genes but significantly suppress (P < 0.01 or 0.05) MDA and Caspase-3 level in Control, T1 and T2 compared to T/D. Pentoxifylline could be used as an adjunct therapy to surgery in the treatment of torsion-detorsion related testicular injury, However, Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline on testicular torsion.