N-acetylcysteine leads to greater ovarian protection than enoxaparin sodium in a rat ovarian torsion model

Reprod Biomed Online. 2016 Jul;33(1):93-101. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.03.009. Epub 2016 Apr 7.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and enoxaparin on ovarian tissue preservation, ovarian reserve and oxidative damage following ovarian torsion/detorsion injury. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/group): control; ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R); I/R + NAC; I/R + enoxaparin. Twenty-four hours after detorsion, ovarian tissues were collected for histopathological analysis and measurement of tissue 8-OHdG, GSH, MDA, MPO and SOD concentrations, as well as pre- and post-operative circulating AMH concentrations. Administration of NAC resulted in more pre-antral follicles compared with enoxaparin treatment and haemorrhage and follicle cell degeneration were more pronounced in I/R + enoxaparin group than I/R + NAC group. Both NAC and enoxaparin led to a significant reduction in ovarian tissue 8-OHdG (P = 0.004 and P = 0.01, respectively) and MPO (P = 0.013 and P = 0.023, respectively) concentrations compared with I/R group, indicating a protective effect against I/R oxidative damage. Only NAC-treated animals showed a significant increase in GSH and SOD concentrations and decrease in MDA concentrations compared with I/R group (P = 0.007, P = 0.024 and P = 0.026, respectively). These results indicate that NAC is more effective than enoxaparin in minimizing ovarian damage and preserving ovarian reserve following ovarian torsion.

Keywords: N-acetylcysteine; anti-Müllerian hormone; enoxaparin sodium; ovarian ischaemia-reperfusion; ovarian reserve; torsion.

MeSH terms

  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Acetylcysteine / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone / blood
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Deoxyguanosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxyguanosine / metabolism
  • Enoxaparin / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Ovarian Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Pilot Projects
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Enoxaparin
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone
  • 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine
  • Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Deoxyguanosine
  • Glutathione
  • Acetylcysteine