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 TT and different doses of cap (100, 500, and 1000 µg/mL), and (iv) three subgroups of healthy animals subjected to various concentrations of cap. The animals were decapitated at 24 h after reperfusion, and the evaluation of protein expression was performed by Western blotting assay. At 72 h 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 TT significantly increased the expression of tuberous sclerosis proteins 1 and 2 (Tsc1/Tsc2) in a dose-dependent manner (P Conclusion Collectively, our findings demonstrate the validity of cap as a therapeutic agent against TT through targeting Tsc1/Tsc2 in a dose-dependent manner.