OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and vascular neutrophil adhesion after repair of testicular torsion in rats. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Department of Urology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. ANIMAL(S): Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTION(S): Dexamethasone, 10 mg/kg of body weight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Testicular germ-cell apoptosis (percentages of apoptotic tubules and apoptotic cells) and vascular neutrophil adhesion were assessed by using DNA nick-end labeling and the endothelial-neutrophil adhesion score, respectively. RESULT(S): Intravenous administration of dexamethasone at repair of 90-minute testicular torsion significantly inhibited testicular germ-cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion. This inhibition was suppressed by intravenous injection of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION(S): Glucocorticoids can be administered for torsion in addition to conventional torsion repair.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and vascular neutrophil adhesion after repair of testicular torsion in rats. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Department of Urology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. ANIMAL(S): Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTION(S): Dexamethasone, 10 mg/kg of body weight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Testicular germ-cell apoptosis (percentages of apoptotic tubules and apoptotic cells) and vascular neutrophil adhesion were assessed by using DNA nick-end labeling and the endothelial-neutrophil adhesion score, respectively. RESULT(S): Intravenous administration of dexamethasone at repair of 90-minute testicular torsion significantly inhibited testicular germ-cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion. This inhibition was suppressed by intravenous injection of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION(S): Glucocorticoids can be administered for torsion in addition to conventional torsion repair.