The protective effect of nebivolol on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats through the p38 MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Abstract

Aim Ovarian torsion is a common gynecological emergency of reproductive ages, occurring at rates of 2.7-7.4%. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of Nebivolol (NEB) and histopathological changes in experimental ischemic (I) and ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat ovaries. Methods Forty-eight adult female rats were randomly separated into six groups as group 1 (control) receiving an oral saline solution for 3 days; group 2 (I) that underwent ischemia for 3 h with the application of atraumatic vascular clips; group 3 (I/R); group 4 (I + NEB) receiving 10 mg/kg NEB by oral gavage 30 min prior to the ischemia induction; group 5 (I/R + NEB) receiving 10 mg/kg NEB, and group 6 (control + NEB) receiving oral 10 mg/kg NEB for 3 days before ischemia induction followed by consequent reperfusion. Ovarian tissue damage was scored by histopathological analysis. Ovarian tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured biochemically. Results The levels of MDA and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and TUNEL assay positivity scores increased in the I and I/R groups. GSH levels decreased in all case groups (P < 0.05). The oral administration of NEB (10 mg/kg) to the I- and I/R-groups reduced the levels of MDA and TNF-alpha and TUNEL assay immunopositivity scores (P < 0.05). GSH levels increased in the treatment groups. Conclusion The current experimental ovarian torsion study suggests a protective role for NEB against I and I/R injury in rat ovaries. NEB may be a novel agent for decreasing ovarian I/R injury.