An Experimental Rat Model Study: Is There Any Effect of Syringic Acid on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Priapism?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of syringic acid on ischemia-reperfusion injury in cavernosal tissue, utilizing a rat model of induced priapism. Materials and methods A total of 24 rats were allocated into three groups. Group 1 was designated as the control group, while Group 2 underwent ischemia-reperfusion injury assessment using the priapism model. Group 3 underwent the same procedures as Group 2, with the addition of intraperitoneal administration of syringic acid (100 mg/kg) 60 min after priapism initiation. All rats underwent penectomy, and sufficient blood samples were collected. Histopathological assessment of penile cavernosal tissue involved grading tissue damage, inflammation, vasocongestion, desquamation, and edema on a scale of 0-3 (0: normal, 1: mild, 2: moderate, 3: severe). Result Significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels (p=0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha levels in Group 2 were found to be significantly higher than Group 3 (p=0.003 and p=0.004). There was also a significant difference among the three groups in terms of median MDA levels (p<0.001). Furthermore, the median MDA level in Group 2 was found to be significantly higher than that in Group 3 (p<0.001). While significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of median SOD and GSH-px levels, no significant difference was found among the groups in terms of median PC levels (p=0.004, p= 0.048, and p=0.159, respectively). In direct microscopic examination, a significant improvement in pathological scores was noted in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p<0.001). Conclusion Syringic acid demonstrated protective properties against ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by priapism in cavernosal tissue.

Keywords: cavernosal tissue; corporal tissue; oxidative stress; priapism; rat model.

Figure 1. Penile tissue samples from the experimental animals in Group 1

Minimal congestion (arrowhead), minimal inflammatory infiltration (*), and an intact appearance of the epithelial layer (arrow) were examined (magnification=x100).

Figure 2. Penile tissue samples from the experimental animals in Group 2

Severe inflammation (*) accompanied by significant epithelial loss, desquamation (arrow), and congestion (arrowhead) were observed (magnification=x100).

Figure 3. Penile tissue samples from the experimental animals in Group 3

Epithelial thinning, desquamation (arrow), moderate-level inflammation (*), and congestion (arrowhead), were examined (magnification=x100).