Minoxidil reduces testicular damage in experimental testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury

We investigated the effects of K-ATP channel opener minoxidil on oxidant stress, antioxidant defense and histopathological damage in testicular torsion-induced rats. A total of 21 male Wistar-Albino rats were used. Group 1 (the sham-control): the left testis and spermatic cord were only released with a scrotal incision. Group 2 (I/R-untreated): the left testis and spermatic cord was rotated clockwise by 720 degrees for 60 minutes and detorsioned for 60 minutes. Group 3 (I/R-minoxidil treated): Testicular torsion was created as in the group 2 rats and 0.3 mg /kg minoxidil was injected. The testes were extracted for biochemical and histopathological examination.Minoxidil treatment showed a significant decrease in MDA and MPO levels. In the group 2, there was a decrease in TAS levels and an increase in TOS levels. Minoxidil treatment resulted in an improvement of these values in the testicular tissues. There was an improvement in the testicular injury score with minoxidil treatment. The group 2 rats had grade III and grade IV lesions. The treatment with minoxidil showed lower histopathologic features in the testicular tissues. Minoxidil may play a protective role in reducing damage caused by reperfusion of the ischemic testicular tissues.