Autophagy comparative after decompression of tunica albuginea in testicular torsion in mature and immature rat.

Background: One of the types of catabolic processes in cells is autophagy, which maintains cell homeostasis. It is also known as a defense response to oxidative stress. This study aimed to track the autophagic activity of testicular tissue in mature and immature rats in 3 conditions: (1) physiologic, (2) under increased pressure in the tunica albuginea compartment following the induction of testicular torsion, and (3) decompression of this compartment by flap technique.

Methods: This study was performed on 72 Wistar rats divided into 3 mature and 3 immature groups, each of the groups including Sham group, testicular torsion induction group for 6 hours (Torsion Detorsion), and testicular torsion induction group for 6 hours, followed by the flap technique.

Results: In the physiologic state or Sham, autophagic indices (LC3, Beclin-1) are active, and more activity was observed in mature rats, compared with immature ones, which indicated the activity of this process during development and maturity. In the Torsion Detorsion group, significant expression of autophagy and apoptosis indices (caspase3) was observed along with the degradation of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. It seems that in this state, the activation of autophagy leads to programmed death and is in line with apoptosis. Finally, in the flap technique group, an increase in the expression of autophagy indices was accompanied by a reduction in the expression of apoptotic indices and improved spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.

Conclusion: Decompression of tunica albuginea by flap technique can activate of autophagy process to save tissue function and eliminate stress caused by testicular torsion.