Protective effect of aprotinin on ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat ovary

Aim:  We investigated the effects of aprotinin on reperfusion injury in a controlled experimental rat torsion–detorsion model. Methods:  Thirty-two female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Sham operation was performed in group I; in group II only ovarian torsion was performed. In group III, torsion–detorsion was performed, plus 3 mL/kg saline was injected i.v. 30 min before detorsion. In group IV, torsion–detorsion was performed, plus aprotinin (30 000 KIU/kg) was injected 30 min before detorsion. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 360° clockwise adnexial torsion for 3 h, and the ovaries were harvested. After 3 h of adnexial detorsion, the rats in the saline and aprotinin groups were killed and the adnexa were surgically removed. Results:  Ovarian tissue damage scores were significantly different among groups. Ovarian tissue and serum malondialdehyde levels in group III were significantly higher than those of groups I and IV (P   0.05). Conclusions:  Aprotinin attenuates ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat adnexial torsion–detorsion model.