Safranal ameliorates testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in testicular torsion-detorsion rat model

Background: Testicular torsion-detorsion damage is a common ischemia-reperfusion injury brought on by an excess of reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen species may affect cellular differentiation by regulating gene expression. The heat shock protein 70-2 (HSP70-2) gene expression in the testis is essential for spermatogenesis. Safranal, the main bioactive ingredient isolated from Crocus sativus L., has potent antioxidant properties. Our current investigation examined the potential mechanism by which safranal could shield the testis from ischemia-reperfusion damage.

Methods: Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned into the sham-operated control group, testicular ischemia-reperfusion group, and safranal-treated group. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° counterclockwise and maintained for two hours. Reperfusion was created by counter-rotating the torsional left testis to its natural position. Rats in the safranal-treated group received an intraperitoneal injection of safranal at the onset of reperfusion. Testes were excised to examine the quantity of malondialdehyde (a sensitive indicator of reactive oxygen species), expression of the HSP70-2 protein, and the testicular spermatogenic activity.

Results: Unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde in the ipsilateral testes compared to the control group. It also significantly reduced the expression of HSP70-2 protein and spermatogenic activity (p < 0.001). In addition, our investigation revealed that, in comparison to the testicular ischemia-reperfusion group, the ipsilateral testes of the safranal-treated group had significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde and had significantly higher HSP70-2 expression and levels of spermatogenic function (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: These results suggest that via lowering reactive oxygen species levels and increasing HSP70-2 expression, safranal protects against testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischemia/reperfusion injury.