Pentoxifylline improves blood flow to both testes in testicular torsion

Abstract

Objectives: Electromagnetic and radioisotopic studies have shown that unilateral testicular torsion causes a decrease in contralateral testicular blood flow. Pentoxifylline improves microvascular blood flow in conditions of vascular insufficiency. An experimental study was designed to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline (Ptx) on blood flow to both testes during unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion.

Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups where each consisted of six rats: group 1: sham operation, group 2: sham operation with Ptx, group 3: torsion, group 4: torsion with Ptx, group 5: detorsion, group 6: detorsion with Ptx. After intraperitoneal administration of Ptx at a dose of 50 mg/kg 15 minutes before torsion; right testes of the rats underwent 30 minutes of torsion and 30 minutes of detorsion. Blood flows of both testes were measured during torsion and detorsion simultaneously by using 133Xe clearance technique.

Results: Unilateral testicular torsion caused decrease in bilateral testicular blood flow. Pentoxifylline had no effect on testicular blood flow during torsion. Detorsion caused a partially increase in blood flow to ipsilateral (detorted) testis, but had no effect on contralateral (nontorted) testicular blood flow. Pentoxifylline administration during detorsion significantly increased blood flow to both testes.

Conclusions: Testicular torsion is a pathological process that causes decreased blood flow to both testes. Pentoxifylline improves blood flow to both testes during detorsion in a rat model of testicular torsion. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline on testicular torsion.