UrologyEffect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica vaginalis flap coverage after testicular torsion

Aim of the studyThe aim was to investigate the protective effect of vitamin C on tissue damage and oxidative stress following tunica albuginea incision with tunica vaginalis flap coverage for testicular torsion.Materials and methodsAdult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups. The first group experienced 5 h of testicular torsion followed by treatment with vitamin C alone, with tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone, and with both vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage along with a control group subjected to a sham procedure. The second group experienced 9 h of testicular torsion followed by the same treatment options as described for the 5 h group. The oxidative stress and testosterone levels were measured 24 h posttreatment. The Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium were recorded 30 days following the treatment.ResultsThe Johnsen score, diameter of the seminiferous tubules, and thickness of the seminiferous tubule epithelium significantly increased in the 5 h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap alone. The level of testosterone decreased significantly in all groups except for the 5 h testicular torsion group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage. The MDA level also decreased in the group receiving treatment with vitamin C and tunica vaginalis flap coverage compared with the group receiving tunica vaginalis flap coverage alone.ConclusionsThe results showed that the histological parameters and testosterone levels improved with the administration of vitamin C before tunica vaginalis flap coverage in the group experiencing 5 h of torsion. This may be a result of the antioxidant effect of vitamin C. No advantage was observed for the 9 h group, possibly because the dosage of vitamin C was inadequate.