Original Article

Sulfasalazine prevents apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after experimental testicular torsion/detorsion

Yu-gang Zhao, Xin-min Zheng, Ji Zhou, Xiao-li Liu, Xue-min Hu, De-hong Chen, Xue-jun Zhang, Xiao-wei Men, Hong-bo Shi, Zhi-yun Yu

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells by preventing the activation of NF-κB in spermatogenic epithelium in experimental testicular torsion.
Methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720° testicular torsion for durations of 0 h and 2 h, then the torsion was relieved. The ischemic/reperfused testes were collected for the detection of NF-κB expression with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, and detection of apoptosis with TUNEL techniques.
Results: The NF-κB coefficient of spermatogenic epithelium and the apoptosis index of spermatogenic cells were significantly different in the operation and the sham-operation groups after experimental testicular torsion (P<0.01).
Conclusion: NF-κB activation of spermatogenic epithelium is related to apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. Sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after the experimental testicular torsion through prevention of NF-κB activation.
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