The protective effect of quercetin on IMA levels and apoptosis in experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE), an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent, on torsion–detorsion induced histopathological changes and blood IMA levels in experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Study design: Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups in this study (n = 6). Group I, (sham operation); Group II, torsion–detorsion plus saline (IR); Group III, torsion– detorsion plus solvent (dimethylsulfoxide: DMSO, IR + DMSO); Group IV, torsion–detorsion plus 15 mg/ kg/bw quercetin (IR + QE) injected intraperitoneally 30 min prior to detorsion. After 3 h of reperfusion, the right ovaries were removed surgically. The ovary tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin solution for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Blood samples were obtained at the end of the procedures for each group of animals. Results: Ovarian sections in Groups II and III showed higher follicular cell degeneration, hemorrhage, vascular congestion and edema when compared with Group I. Administration of quercetin in rats significantly prevented degenerative changes in the ovary. Significantly less histopathological changes were found in Group IV compared with Groups II and III. Caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells were detected in the ovarian surface, follicle epithelium, and stromal cells in all experimental groups, and there was a significant increase in Groups II and III compared with Group I (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin decreased the number of caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells. IR increased the ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in comparison to the sham group (1.06 0.10 ABSU and 0.92 0.08 ABSU, P < 0.05). Quercetin administration before IR reduced the levels of IMA (0.93 0.08 ABSU, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Administration of quercetin is effective in preventing tissue damage induced by IR injury in ovaries.