Tsc1/Tsc2 complex: A molecular target of capsaicin for protection against testicular torsion induced injury in rats

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 If and different doses of cap (100, 500, and 1000 mu g/mL), and (iv) three subgroups of healthy animals subjected to various concentrations of cap. The animals were decapitated at 24h after reperfusion, and the evaluation of protein expression was performed by Western blotting assay. At 72h 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 If 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 mu g/mL). Conclusion: Collectively, our findings demonstrate the validity of cap as a therapeutic agent against If through targeting Tsc1/Tsc2 in a dose-dependent manner. (C) 2019 Tianjin Press of Chinese Herbal Medicines. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved