Protective effect of astaxanthin on testis torsion/detorsion injury through modulation of autophagy

Efecto protector de la astaxantina en la lesión por torsión/detorsión testicular a través de la modulación de la autofagia

A significant clinical condition known as testicular torsion leads to permanent ischemic damage to the testicular tissue and consequent loss of function in the testicles. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Astaxanthin (ASTX) on testicular damage in rats with testicular torsion/detorsion in the light of biochemical and histopathological data. Spraque Dawley rats of 21 were randomly divided into three groups; sham, testicular torsion/detorsion (TTD) and astaxanthin + testicular torsion/detorsion (ASTX + TTD). TTD and ASTX + TTD groups underwent testicular torsion for 2 hours and then detorsion for 4 hours. Rats in the ASTX + TTD group were given 1 mg/kg/day astaxanthin by oral gavage for 7 days before torsion. Following the detorsion process, oxidative stress parameters and histopathological changes in testicular tissue were evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were significantly decreased in the ASTX group compared to the TTD group, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, histopathological changes were significantly reduced in the group given ASTX (p < 0.0001). It was determined that ASTX administration increased Beclin-1 immunoreactivity in ischemic testicular tissue, while decreasing caspase-3 immunoreactivity (p < 0.0001). Our study is the first to investigate the antiautophagic and antiapoptotic properties of astaxanthin after testicular torsion/detorsion based on the close relationship of Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in ischemic tissues. Our results clearly demonstrate the protective effects of ASTX against ischemic damage in testicular tissue. In ischemic testicular tissue, ASTX contributes to the survival of cells by inducing autophagy and inhibiting the apoptosis.

Resumen

Una condición clínica significativa conocida como torsión testicular conduce a daño isquémico permanente al tejido testicular y consecuente pérdida de función en los testículos. En este estudio, el objetivo fue evaluar los efectos protectores de la astaxantina (ASTX) sobre el daño testicular en ratas con torsión/detorsión testicular a la luz de los datos bioquímicos e histopatológicos. Se dividieron al azar ratas Spraque Dawley de 21 en tres grupos; simulación, torsión/detorsión testicular (TTD) y astaxantina+torsión/detorsión testicular (ASTX + TTD). Los grupos TTD y ASTX + TTD se sometieron a torsión testicular durante 2 horas y luego a detorsión durante 4 horas. Las ratas del grupo ASTX + TTD recibieron 1 mg/kg/día de astaxantina por sonda oral durante 7 días antes de la torsión. Tras el proceso de detorsión, se evaluaron los parámetros de estrés oxidativo y los cambios histopatológicos en el tejido testicular. los niveles de malondialdehído (MDA) y estado oxidante total (TOS) disminuyeron significativamente en el grupo ASTX en comparación con el grupo TTD, mientras que los niveles de superóxido dismutasa (SOD), glutatión (GSH) y estado antioxidante total (TAS) aumentaron (p < 0.05). Además, los cambios histopatológicos se redujeron significativamente en el grupo que recibió ASTX (p < 0.0001). Se determinó que la administración de ASTX aumentó la inmunorreactividad de Beclin-1 en tejido testicular isquémico, mientras que disminuyó la inmunorreactividad de caspasa-3 (p < 0.0001). Nuestro estudio es el primero en investigar las propiedades antiautofágicas y antiapoptóticas de la astaxantina después de una torsión/detorsión testicular basada en la estrecha relación de Beclin-1 y caspasa-3 en tejidos isquémicos. Nuestros resultados demuestran claramente los efectos protectores de ASTX contra el daño isquémico en el tejido testicular. En el tejido testicular isquémico, ASTX contribuye a la supervivencia de las células al inducir la autofagia e inhibir la apoptosis.

Testis; Torsion; Astaxanthin; Oxidative stress; Beclin-1; Caspase-3

Palabras Clave

Testículo; Torsión; Astaxantina; Estrés oxidativo; Beclin-1; Caspasa-3

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