Evaluation of the Effects of Umbelliferone and Naringin on Inflammatory and Steroidogenic Markers Against Testicular Torsion/Detorsion Injury in Rats

This study evaluated and compared the protective effects of umbelliferone and naringin, each administered at two dose levels (50 and 100 mg/kg), against torsion/detorsion (T/D)-induced testicular injury in a rat model. Forty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into seven groups (n=6 each): control, Sham, T/D, and T/D treated with umbelliferone (50 and 100 mg/kg) or naringin (50 and 100 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days after torsion. Left testicular torsion was induced (720°, 2 h ischemia) followed by a 7-day reperfusion. Testicular histology (H&E), NF-κB immunohistochemistry, and serum ELISA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD were assessed. T/D produced marked seminiferous tubule disorganization, degenerated spermatids, and increased NF-κB immunopositivity compared with controls. T/D also significantly elevated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8 and suppressed StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD levels relative to control. Both umbelliferone and naringin, at either dose, preserved seminiferous tubule structure, reduced NF-κB immunoreactivity, and significantly lowered all three pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with the T/D group. 17β-HSD levels were significantly restored by both compounds at both doses, with a parallel, though not statistically significant, trend toward restoration observed for 3β-HSD and StAR. Umbelliferone and naringin confer comparable, meaningful protection against T/D-induced testicular injury by attenuating NF-κB activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and steroidogenic enzyme suppression, supporting their potential as protective agents against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.