Investigation of possible protective efficacy of dexpanthenol on ischemia reperfusion injury in experimental priapism model

Introduction: Priapism is defined as an involuntary erection without sexual stimulation. Ischemic priapism, which is characterized by low blood flow to the penis and requires urological emergency intervention, is the most common type of priapism clinically. In case of ischemic priapism, tissue hypoxia and acidosis develops and then its severity starts to increase progressively. In the absence of urgent urological intervention, inflammation and oxidative stress developing after acute ischemic priapism lead to further exacerbation of the damage to the penile tissue and subsequently to necrosis and fibrosis in penile smooth muscles. Pantothenic acid (PA), also known as provitamin B5, is an alcohol derivative and is a vitamin important for the biosynthesis of coenzyme A. Dexpanthenol, which has important effects on cellular defense, inflammatory response and oxidative stress-related repair mechanisms, has been shown to be beneficial in various experimental models and ischemic diseases. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the possible anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of dexpanthenol, which has important effects on cellular defense, inflammatory response and oxidative stress-related repair mechanisms, in a priapism model. Materials and Methods: 48 Wistar albino male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n:12). An experimental priapism model was created. In the control group; no pathology was created and no treatment was applied, intracardiac blood was taken and penectomy samples were obtained from the sacrified subjects by performing penectomy. In the untreated pathology group; 1 hour ischemic priapism was established and 1 hour after reperfusion, intracardiac blood was taken and penectomy specimens were obtained from the sacrificed subjects by penectomy. In the treated pathology group; 30 minutes after induction of priapism, dexpanthenol 500 mg/kg was given intraperitoneally (ip) and 1 hour after reperfusion, intracardiac blood was taken and penectomy samples were obtained from the sacrified subjects by penectomy. In the pathology-free drug group; intracardiac blood was drawn 1 hour after dexpanthenol administration and penile tissue samples were obtained from the sacrificed subjects by penectomy. All obtained blood and penile tissue samples were examined histopathologically and biochemically. Results: Within the limitations of this study, MDA, SOD, GSH, NO, TAS, TOS and oxidative index parameters were compared in the biochemical examination of serum and tissue samples with and without ischemic priapism. In the Dex+pat group, compared to the pathology group, GSH, SOD, TAS levels were increased and MDA, NO, OSI, TOS levels were decreased. In the histopathological score obtained as a result of histological analysis, positive changes were observed in protein groups such as VEGF and FGF, which are growth factors. Conclusion: The histological and biochemical results of this study showed that dexpanthenol has a curative effect on oxidation parameters in ischemic priapism. Key Words: Priapism, Dexpanthenol, Ischemia, Reperfusion, Oxidative Stress