Effect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica vaginalis flap coverage after testicular torsion

Aim of the study: The aim was to investigate the protective effect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica albuginea incision with tunica vaginalis flap coverage for testicular torsion. Materials and methods: Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The first group experienced 5 h of testicular torsion followed by treatment with vitamin C alone, with tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone, and with both vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage along with a control group subjected to a sham procedure. The second group experienced 9 h of testicular torsion followed by the same treatment options as described for the 5 h group. The oxidative stress and testosterone levels were measured 24 h posttreatment. The Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium were recorded 30 days following the treatment. Results: The Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium significantly increased in the 5 h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap alone. The level of testosterone decreased significantly in all groups except for the 5 h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage. The MDA level also decreased in the group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone. Conclusions: The results showed that the histological parameters and testosterone levels improved with the administration of vitamin C before tunica vaginalis flap coverage in the group experiencing 5 h of torsion. This may be a result of the antioxidant effect of vitamin C. No advantage was observed for the 9 h group, possibly because the dosage of vitamin C was inadequate. (c) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.