Unilateral testicular torsion: Evaluation of bcl-2, p-53 and PCNA expression in contralateral testes

Objectives and Methods: The present study ai ms to evaluate the histologic as well as apoptotic changes indicated by PCNA, p-53 and bcl-2 expression i n the contralateral testes after a period of unilateral testicular torsion of 4 h. Results: Regarding the histologic changes, while some significant a lterations such as complete or incomplete spermatocytic arrest as well as s ertoli cell only formation have to some extent been noted after the detorsi on procedure, reasonably better preserved histology could be demonstrated f ollowing the orchiectomy procedure both in the early and late follow-up. Th us, the orchiectomy procedure was found to be limiting enough on the severi ty of the histologic changes in the contralateral testes after a certain pe riod of time following the torsion procedure. On the other hand, however, i n relation to the apoptotic events indicated by the three markers, while PC NA activity was found to be significantly different depending on the proced ure performed (detorsion or orchiectomy), p-53 and bcl-2 positivity did not exhibit any difference in this aspect. Increased PCNA activity (especially after the detorsion procedure) together with marked positivity of p-53 bot h in the early and late follow-up indicated the increased cell turnover in the contralateral testes, which in turn may be accepted as a sign of increa sed apoptosis in these testes. In addition to these findings, bcl-2 express ion has been found to be consistently negative in all specimens evaluated b oth in the early and late follow-up. Conclusion: Taking into account the st rong inhibitory effect of bcl-2 during apoptotic events, these findings aga in support the likelihood of increased apoptosis in the contralateral teste s. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG,Basel.