Single intratesticular injection of blood-serum-derived exosomes can potentially alleviate testopathy following testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND: Testicular torsion (TT) is an acute inflammatory process leading to male infertility. Today, anti-inflammatory effects of exosomes derived from blood serum are used in various laboratory procedures. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effects of blood-serum-derived exosomes in treatment of acute inflammation following TT in mice were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen male mice were grouped as healthy control, TT, and TT + exosome. TT was induced surgically, and exosomes were extracted from blood serum and administrated by a single intratesticular injection (10 IU). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Griess assays were used to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. Sperm indices, testosterone (Tes), and apoptotic gene expression (p-53, Bcl2, and Caspase-3) were also assessed. H&E and immunohistochemistry (IHC) stainings were used for histopathological investigations. Data analysis was applied by SPSS (v.19) software. RESULTS: Oxidative stress and apoptotic genes expression were increased significantly (p < 0.05) in TT group compared with control. Sperm parameters and Tes were significantly increased, and expression of apoptotic genes was significantly reduced in TT + exosome group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Since the blood-serum-derived exosomes have anti-inflammatory features, the intratesticular application of blood-serum-derived exosomes can be used clinically in acute phase of orchitis following TT to inhibit testicular inflammation.

Genetic, biochemical and histopathological evaluations of thymoquinone on male reproduction system damaged by paclitaxel in Wistar rats.

This study was aimed to evaluate therapeutic effects of thymoquinone on male reproductive damages induced by paclitaxel. Forty-eight male rats were divided; control, paclitaxel (4 mg/kg), paclitaxel + thymoquinone (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg) and thymoquinone (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg). Paclitaxel and thymoquinone were administrated intraperitoneally for 4 and 14 days respectively. Then, the testes were removed for H&E staining, sperm parameters and apoptotic genes expression assessments. Serum levels of nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity and testosterone were evaluated, and sperm DNA fragmentation was assessed. Paclitaxel significantly (p < .05) increased nitric oxide, decreased total antioxidant capacity and reduced testosterone levels than control group. Sperm motility, viability and count were significantly (p < .05) reduced in paclitaxel group than control. Co-administration of thymoquinone + paclitaxel caused decreased levels of nitric oxide and increased total antioxidant capacity, testosterone levels and reproductive parameters than paclitaxel group significantly (p < .05). Paclitaxel significantly (p < .05) increased caspase-3 and p-53 and decreased Bcl-2 genes expression than control. Sperm DNA fragmentation index was also increased significantly (p < .05) in paclitaxel group than control, and this value was decreased in whole doses of paclitaxel + thymoquinone groups than paclitaxel. Thymoquinone can alleviate the side effects of paclitaxel on the male reproductive system.