Effects of Quebracho Tannin Extract on Testicular Ischemia-/Reperfusion

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the main pathophysiologic conditions of the testis. Although free radical scavenging properties of the tannins are approved, limited information exists on their antiox-idant activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of quebracho tannin extract (QTE) on testicular I/R injury in rats.

METOD: 

Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups (n=6). One group was kept as control. In I/R group, rats were subjected to 4 hours I/20 hours R, and the group was intraperitoneally (ip) injected with saline 1 hour before R. In groups 3-5, rats were subjected to 4 hours I/20 hours R, and ip injected with QTE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) 1 hour before R. At the end of the study, left testis was removed for histological analysis and antioxidant measurement.

I/R resulted in degenerated seminiferous tubules and loss of spermatogenesis. Administration of QTE (200 and 400 mg/kg) to I/R rats showed many normal seminiferous tubules. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels significantly increased in I/R rats (P<0.05) while QTE decreased IR-induced MDA level (P<0.05). Experimental I/R significantly decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities (P<0.05). Ad-ministration of QTE significantly increased tissue SOD and GPx activities in I/R rats (P<0.05).

These findings suggested treatment with QTE had a benefial effect against I/R.