FOXO1 targeting by capsaicin reduces tissue damage after testicular torsion

Testicular torsion-related oxidative stress causes a sequential chain of DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and cell death that leads to the derangement in the sperm functions and infertility. Capsaicin that has been applied for pain relief and cancer prevention possesses antioxidant properties which can be exploited to confer cell survival under ischaemic testis damage. Wistar male rats weighing 150-200 g were randomly divided into four groups: (i) sham group (all procedures except torsion of testis), (ii) ischaemia group (TT group), (iii) three TT groups treated with different dose of capsaicin (TT + different doses of Cap) and (iv) three control groups treated with different doses of capsaicin (100, 500 and 1000 ug/ml). Capsaicin administration significantly decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic factors. Likewise, the expression of FOXO1 is significantly increased by higher doses of the capsaicin. Histological assessment by H&E and TUNEL method also exhibited an improved testicular morphology and decreased apoptosis in testes. These results suggested clinical potential for capsaicin in treatment of testicular torsion by targeting FOXO1 and apoptotic pathways.