Does intraperitoneal injection of propofol prior to detorsion improve testes weight and histopathological findings in a rat model?

OBJECTIVES: To determine the long-term preventive effects of intraperitoneal propofol on testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult male albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into the following four groups according to the planned treatment (n=10 per group): group I, control; group II, sham-operated; group III, torsion/detorsion (T/D); and group IV, T/D plus propofol. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° clockwise (ie, applying torsion) for 1 h. In the T/D plus propofol group (group IV), 50 mg/kg propofol was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before detorsion. Ipsilateral orchiectomy was performed under general anesthesia to determine the mean testicular weight and to enable histopathological examination of the testes using Johnsen’s mean testicular biopsy score 30 days after the surgical procedure in all groups. RESULTS: The testicular weights in groups I, II, III, and IV were 1.65±0.32, 1.59±0.33, 1.11±0.56, and 1.08±0.50 g (mean ± SD), respectively. Testicular weight was significantly lower in the T/D groups (III and IV) than in both the control and sham-operated groups (I and II), but there was no improvement in testicular weight as a result of propofol administration. Similarly, Johnsen’s mean testicular biopsy score was lower in groups III and IV than in groups I and II, but no positive effect was conferred by the administration of propofol in group IV. CONCLUSION: The use of propofol in the treatment of testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury caused by testis torsion has no significant long-term therapeutic potential.