Effect of metformin on germ cell-specific apoptosis, oxidative stress and epididymal sperm quality after testicular torsion/ detorsion in rats

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of metformin on apoptosis and epididymal sperm quality in a rat testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. A total of
72 male rats were divided into four groups (n = 18 for each group): group 1 (shamoperated group), group 2 (metformin group), group 3 (torsion/detorsion [T/D] + saline)
and group 4 (T/D + 300 mg kg−1 metformin). Testicular torsion was achieved by rotating the right testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 1 hr. Tissue malondialdehyde
(MDA) level and caspase-3 activity increased and the activities of catalase, superoxide
dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in comparison with sham-operated
group 4 hr after detorsion (p < .001). In six rats of each group 24 hr after detorsion,
histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were significantly deteriorated by
measuring mean of seminiferous tubule diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test. Moreover,
30 days after T/D, sperm concentration and motility were examined in six animals per
group. Metformin pre-treatment reduced MDA and caspase-3 levels and normalised
antioxidant enzyme activities 4 hr after detorsion, and germ cell apoptosis was significantly decreased, and the MSTD, as well as sperm functions, was significantly improved. Reduction in oxidative stress and apoptosis may have a major role in
cytoprotective effects of metformin