International
Journal of Herbs and Pharmacological Research IJHPR,
2012, 1(3): 68 –74.
www.antrescentpub.com
RESEARCH
PAPER:
EFFECT
OF L- ARGININE ON TESTICULAR HISTOLOGY FOLLOWING 7200 TORSION
– DETORSION
*1Olugbenga, M.A., 2Duru, F.I.O., 3Ogedengbe, O.O., 4Ogbodo L.A. 5Babatunde A.
Department
of 1Anatomy, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma,
Edo, Nigeria; 2Anatomy,
University
of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. 3Anatomy, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria. 4 Morbid
Anatomy,
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. 5School
of Post-Basic Nursing,
Irrua
Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Edo -Nigeria.
Corresponding
author: docmaryll@yahoo.com
Received: 10th August, 2012
Accepted: 12th October, 2012 Published: 31st October, 2012
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ABSTRACT
This
study evaluates the effect L- arginine on testicular histology following 7200 torsion-detorsion
at different time intervals. Twenty male rats (130- 200g) were used. They were
grouped into seven groups of three rats each (A-G) with group G as control.
With an atraumatic silk suture through the tunica albuginea, unilateral
testicular torsion was created in groups A-F by rotating the left testicles in
the clockwise direction along the longitudinal axis for 15, 30, and 45 minutes
respectively. Alternate groups (A,C,E) were treated intraperitoneally with
150mg/kg body weight of L- arginine for 1 hour after detorsion, while the
remaining groups (B,D,F) were untreated. The results showed that the control
tissue sections presented normal features while group B (untreated) presented
atrophic seminiferous tubules with no luminal spermatozoon. Similarly, group C
(treated) presented severe oedema, atrophic seminiferous tubules with
hyperplasia of germ cells, and reduction in size and thickness of lining cells
of the seminiferous tubules. The untreated group E however, showed mild oedema
but normal seminiferous tubules with luminal spermatozoa and germ cells in
various stages of development, while group F showed severe interstitial oedema
as well as loss of germ cells. Comparatively therefore, there was an
improvement in the treated group E as compared with that of the untreated group
F. Our results suggest therefore, that L- arginine tends to reduce oxidative
stress in torsioned testes and helps maintain the seminiferous epithelium,
thereby preserving the cells of the spermatogenic series
Key
words: Testicular torsion, L-arginine, Ischemia-reperfusion, Rotation,
Spermatic cord
_____________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Testicular
torsion is the act of twisting, turning rotating the spermatic cord and the
testis about its axis (Dorland, 2000). It is a surgical emergency in humans
that may lead to testicular injury and infertility if untreated within few hours.
Those at risk include young men and adolescent boys, as well as those who have
had previous experiences. It is estimated that one out of every 4000 men below
the age of 25years will have torsion of the testis (Ringdahl and Teague, 2006).
The main pathophysiology of testicular torsion is ischemic reperfusion injury
of the testis caused by twisted spermatic cord and its release (Anim et al.,
2005). Reperfusion of ischemic tissue leads to a cascade of events that injure
the tissue. The injuries produced by reperfusion can be more severe than the
injuries induced by ischemia (Ozokutan et al., 2006).
Acute,
severe scrotal pain is the consistent presentation of testicular torsion, which
is sometimes associated with nausea, vomiting and low-grade fevers (Riyad et
al., 2009). On physical examination, the hemiscrotum of the affected side is
typically swollen, tender and inflamed, with pain unrelieved by elevation of
the scrotum (Noske et al., 2005).
Experimentally,
the testis can be rendered ischemic via two different methods. One method is to
twist the spermatic
cord and the
other method is to clamp the spermatic cord or artery. Both procedures have
been used in animal models; however because the twisting of the spermatic cord
more closely resembles clinical testicular torsion, it is most commonly used
(Riyad et al., 2009). It is important to point out that the injury to the
tissue occurs due to both the ischemic period and the reperfusion (Riyad et
al., 2009).
Arginine is one
of the twenty amino acids that constitute protein. It exists as L – arginine
and D- arginine form (Chin – Dusting et al., 1996). However L- arginine form is
more compatible to the human body (Chin- Dusting et al., 1996). It is involved
in several physiological and pathological processes including regulation of
blood flow (Jing et al., 2009). It may have antioxidative properties and
reduces accumulation of compounds such as ammonia and plasma lactate,
by-product of physical exercise (Long et al., 2006).
Food sources of
arginine include peanuts, almond nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, lentils, brazilnuts,
cashew nuts, flax seed,
beans, pecan
nuts, soya beans, wheat flour, garlic, onion, egg milk, pork, chicken and
shrimp (USDA nutrient Database, 2006). Both acute and chronic administration of
L-arginine evoke benefits in improving endothelial function, although the
precise molecular mechanisms by which L- arginine improves function remains
puzzling (Bode- Boger, 2005).
L- arginine has
been used as supplementation in various conditions in man as well as
experimentation animals. These include cardiovascular conditions, genitourinary
conditions, preeclampsia, HIV infection and Aids, growth cancer, diabetes and
other conditions (Thorne, 2005). Other L- arginine benefits include maintenance
of nitrogen balance, removal of excess ammonia, liver detoxification, reduction
of alcohol toxicity effects and wound healing (Chin- Dusting et al., 1996).
Doses of arginine
used in clinical research have varied considerably from as little as 500mg/day
for oligospermia to
as much as
30g/day for cancer, preeclampsia and premature uterine contractions (Thorne,
2005). It has also been helpful in situations characterized by oxidative
stress, but its effects are yet to be verified on testicular tissue that underwent
testicular torsion.
Hence this study
is designed to test the usefulness of L- arginine in testicular torsion and
evaluates its effect on testicular histology (semminiferous tubules and the
interstitium) following 7200 torsion-detorsion at different intervals ranging
from 15minutes to 45minutes.
ASN-PH-020919
ISSN: 2315-537X
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