A histological and biochemical study of the protective role of hesperidin in testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of hesperidin on ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury applied to rat testis.
METHODS: Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were used and divided into four groups of seven each. Group 1: Sham surgery was performed on the right testis. Group 2: Hesperidin 100 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally to rats. Group 3: After 1 h of ischemia and 4 h of reperfusion, the testicles were removed. Group 4: 100 mg/kg hesperidin was given 30 min before reperfusion. Biochemical, immunohistochemical, and histopathological analyzes were performed on testicles obtained from each group.
RESULTS: Total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels increased significantly in the IR and IR-He groups (respectively, p=0.016, p=0.041; p=0.01, and p=0.024). TOS and OSI values in the hesperidin group decreased, although not statistically significant, compared to the IR group. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) values were decreased in the hesperidin group compared to the IR group, although it was not statistically significant. Caspase-3 levels in testicular tissue were significantly increased in the IR group compared to the hesperidin group (p<0.05). While there were degenerative changes in the testicular tissue in the IR groups, a decrease in bleeding, congestion, edema, and degenerative changes was observed in the hesperidin-administered groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Hesperidin reduced oxidative stress (decreased total oxidant level and OSI), inflammation (TNF-α), and apoptosis (NF-kB and caspase-3). According to these results, it was observed that hesperidin application had a protective effect on IR injury.