Effect of sulforaphane on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury induced by testicular torsion-detorsion in rats

Testicular ischemia-reperfusion induces enhanced concentration of reactive oxygen species. The increased reactive oxygen species harm cellular lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates, and ultimately cause testicular injury. Sulforaphane, a kind of natural dietary isothiocyanate, exists predominantly in some cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cabbage. It can protect tissues from oxidative stress-induced damage. Herein, we analyzed the effectiveness of sulforaphane in treating ischemia-reperfusion injury occurring after testicular torsion-detorsion. Male rats (n = 60) were grouped as follows: sham-operated group, unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion group, and unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion group receiving sulforaphane treatment at 5 mg/kg. No testicular torsion-detorsion was performed in the sham group. Unilateral testicular ischemia-reperfusion model was created by detorsion after 2 h of left testicular torsion. In the sulforaphane-treated group, intraperitoneal sulforaphane (5 mg/kg) was administered at left testicular detorsion. Biochemical assay, Western blot, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to evaluate testicular malondialdehyde content (an important marker of reactive oxygen species), protein levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase (intracellular antioxidant defense mechanism), and testicular reproductive function, respectively. In testicular tissues, malondialdehyde content was significantly promoted, while protein levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and testicular reproductive function were significantly reduced in ipsilateral testes by testicular ischemia-reperfusion. Nevertheless, sulforaphane administration partially reversed the effect of testicular ischemia-reperfusion on these indexes. It can be concluded that sulforaphane elevates protein levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and suppresses reactive oxygen species content, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury in testis.