Effects of liraglutide on the testis of rats with experimental diabetes and ischemia-reperfusion injury

Our study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic, antioxidative, and antiapoptotic effects of liraglutide on the testes of rats with diabetes and ischemia/reperfusion injury. Subjects were divided into three groups: control, diabetes, and torsion groups. Rats with diabetes were further divided into two subgroups such as diabetes and diabetes+Liraglutide groups. The torsion group was divided into three subgroups such as torsion, torsion/detorsion, and torsion/detorsion+Liraglutide groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and testosterone levels were measured from blood samples. Also, testicular tissue samples were examined by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis was assessed using immunohistochemistry for caspase-3. Degeneration of seminiferous tubules and interstitium was observed in the diabetes, torsion, and torsion/detorsion groups, while Liraglutide treated groups showed normal seminiferous tubules morphology. Elevated levels of apoptosis, i.e. caspase-3, were observed in diabetes, torsion, and torsion/detorsion groups (P < 0.05), whereas Liraglutide treated groups had similar levels of apoptosis as the control group. MDA levels of diabetes, torsion, and torsion/detorsion groups were increased (P < 0.05), while SOD and testosterone levels were decreased (P < 0.05). However, Liraglutide treated groups, SOD, MDA, and testosterone levels were found similar to the control group. In conclusion, Liraglutide positively affects structural changes and hormone levels in diabetes and torsion/detorsion groups.