Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor β/δ Activation Prevents Extracellular Regulated Kinase 1/2 Phosphorylation and Protects the Testis From Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury

Purpose: Testicular torsion is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment to avoid subsequent testicular injury and infertility. PPARs are a family of nuclear hormone receptors belonging to the steroid receptor superfamily. Three PPAR isotypes (alpha, beta/delta and gamma) encoded by separate genes and showing different tissue distribution patterns have been identified. PPAR beta/delta is expressed in testis and its role is largely unknown. We tested whether pharmacological activation of PPAR beta/delta might protect the testis from ischemia and reperfusion injury. Materials and Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 1-hour testicular ischemia, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Sham testicular ischemia-reperfusion rats served as controls. The animals were randomized to receive immediately after detorsion 1) L-165,041 (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally), a potent agonist of PPAR beta/delta, 2) GW9662 (Calbiochem (R)) (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally), an antagonist of PPAR, 3) L-165,041 (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally) plus GW9662 (4 mg/kg intraperitoneally) concomitantly or 4) vehicle (1 ml/kg 10% dimethyl sulfoxide/NaCl solution). We evaluated testicular extracellular signal regulated kinase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 by Western blot. We also investigated PPAR beta/delta activation by Western blot, mRNA expression and organ damage. Results: Testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury caused a significant increase in extracellular signal regulated kinase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 expression in each testis. Furthermore, histological examination revealed marked damage. L-165,041 administration increased the PPAR beta/delta message and protein, inhibited extracellular signal regulated kinase, tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 expression, and decreased histological damage. Concomitant administration of GW9662 reversed the protection exerted by PPAR beta/delta agonist. Conclusions: These findings indicate that PPAR beta/delta agonists might be an attractive therapeutic candidate for managing testicular torsion.