PAF antagonist BN-52021 reduces intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and oxidative stress in rats with reperfusion damage due to unilateral testicular torsion

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of specific platelet-activating factor (PAF) antagonist BN-52021 on intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM) expression and oxidative stress in rats with reperfusion damage due to unilateral testicular torsion. Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were separated into three groups, each containing ten rats. A sham operation was performed in group 1 (control). In group 2 [ischemia-reperfusion (I-R)/untreated], 1-h detorsion of the testis was performed after 6 h of unilateral testicular torsion. In group 3 (I-R/BN-52021), after performing the same surgical procedures as in groups II, BN-52021 was given intravenously at the starting time of reperfusion. In all experimental rats, ipsilateral orchiectomies were performed for histological examination and measuring the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). MDA values and the testicular injury score decreased and SOD, CAT and GSH-Px values increased in the I-R/BN-52021 treated group compared to in the I-R/untreated group. Most of the specimens in the I-R/BN-52021 treated group showed grade-I testicular injury. However, the injuries in the I-R/untreated rats varied between grades III and IV. An ICAM-1 expression was intensive in the interstitial spaces and basement membrane of the tubuli seminiferi, of testicular tissue in the I-R/untreated group. However, an ICAM-1 expression was mild in the I-R/BN-52021 group. BN-52021 may play an important role in the immunohistochemical expression of adhesion molecule ICAM-1 and may reduce oxidative stress in rats with reperfusion damage due to unilateral testicular torsion.