Sulfasalazine prevents apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after experimental testicular torsion/detorsion
AbstractAim:To determine whether sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells by preventing the activation of NF-κB in spermatogenic epithelium in experimental testicular torsion.Methods:Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720° testicular torsion for durations of 0 h and 2 h, then the torsion was relieved. The ischemic/reperfused testes were collected for the detection of NF-κB expression with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry techniques, and detection of apoptosis with TUNEL techniques.Results:The NF-κB coefficient of spermatogenic epithelium and the apoptosis index of spermatogenic cells were significantly different in the operation and the sham-operation groups after experimental testicular torsion (P<0.01).Conclusion:NF-κB activation of spermatogenic epithelium is related to apoptosis of spermatogenic cells. Sulfasalazine can prevent apoptosis in spermatogenic cells after the experimental testicular torsion through prevention of NF-κB activation.