ABSTRACT
Objective: The detailed knowledge about protective effects of capsaicin (cap)and involved mechanisms against testicular torsion (TT)is still not available completely. Methods: Male Wistar rats were assigned into four major cohorts: (i)sham, (ii)TT, (iii)three subgroups subjected to TT and different doses of cap (100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL), and (iv)three subgroups of healthy animals subjected to various concentrations of cap. The animals were decapitated at 24 h after reperfusion, and the evaluation of protein expression was performed by Western blotting assay. At 72 h after reperfusion, apoptotic cell death and tissue injury were evaluated by TUNEL nuclear and H&E staining, respectively. Results: The results showed that cap administration following TT significantly increased the expression of tuberous sclerosis proteins 1 and 2 (Tsc1/Tsc2)in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Cap decreased cell apoptosis at highest dose. Likewise, cap contributed to the preservation of tubular morphology and decreased tissue injury at the highest tested concentration (1000 µg/mL). Conclusion: Collectively, our findings demonstrate the validity of cap as a therapeutic agent against TT through targeting Tsc1/Tsc2 in a dose-dependent manner.