Mechanisms of testicular torsion and potential protective agents

Nat Rev Urol. 2014 Jul;11(7):391-9. doi: 10.1038/nrurol.2014.135. Epub 2014 Jun 17.

Abstract

Testicular torsion is a urological emergency most commonly seen in adolescence, involving a decrease in blood flow in the testis resulting from torsion of the spermatic cord that can result in gonad injury or even loss if not treated in time. Testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury represents the principle pathophysiology of testicular torsion, with ischaemia caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, and reperfusion on its subsequent release. Many cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in ischaemia-reperfusion injury following testicular torsion. Studies have investigated the use of pharmacological agents as supportive therapy to surgical repair in order to prevent the adverse effects of testicular torsion. Numerous substances have been proposed as important in the prevention of post-ischaemia-reperfusion testicular injury. A range of chemicals and drugs has been successfully tested in animal models for the purpose of mitigating the dangerous effects of ischaemia-reperfusion in testis torsion.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Anesthetics / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hyperbaric Oxygenation / methods
  • Male
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Reperfusion Injury / etiology*
  • Reperfusion Injury / physiopathology
  • Reperfusion Injury / therapy*
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / complications*
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / physiopathology
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male
  • Vasodilator Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Anesthetics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Erythropoietin
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone