Effects of Quebracho Tannin Extract on Testicular Ischemia-/Reperfusion

  BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the main pathophysiologic conditions of the testis. Although free radical scavenging properties of the tannins are approved, limited information exists on their antiox-idant activities. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of quebracho tannin extract (QTE) on testicular I/R injury in rats. METOD: Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into ۵ experimental groups (n=۶). One group was kept as control. In I/R group, rats were subjected to ۴ hours I/۲۰ hours R, and the group was intraperitoneally (ip) injected with saline ۱ hour before R. In groups ۳-۵, rats were subjected to ۴ hours I/۲۰ hours R, and ip injected with QTE (۱۰۰, ۲۰۰, and ۴۰۰ mg/kg) ۱ hour before R. At the end of the study, left testis was removed for histological analysis and antioxidant measurement. RESULTS: I/R resulted in degenerated seminiferous tubules and loss of spermatogenesis. Administration of QTE (۲۰۰ and ۴۰۰ mg/kg) to I/R rats showed many normal seminiferous tubules. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased in I/R rats (P<۰.۰۵) while QTE decreased IR-induced MDA level (P<۰.۰۵). Experimental I/R significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities (P<۰.۰۵). Ad-ministration of QTE significantly increased tissue SOD and GPx activities in I/R rats (P<۰.۰۵). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested treatment with QTE had a benefial effect against I/R.

Keywords:

ischemia , Quebracho tannin , rat , reperfusion , Testicular