We compare the efficacy of intratesticular ozone therapy with intraperitoneal ozone therapy in an experimental rat model. For this
purpose, 24 rats were divided into four groups including sham‑operated, torsion/detorsion, torsion/detorsion plus intraperitoneal
ozone (O‑IP), and torsion/detorsion plus intratesticular ozone (O‑IT). The O‑IP ozone group received a 4 mg kg−1 intraperitoneal
injection of ozone, and the O‑IT group received the same injection epididymally. At 4 h after detorsion, the rats were sacrificed and
orchiectomy materials were assessed histopathologically. Spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules and damage to the Sertoli
cells were histopathologically evaluated in the testes using the Johnsen scoring system. i‑NOS and e‑NOS activities in the testis
tissue were also evaluated. Torsion‑detorsion caused a decreased Johnsen score and increased apoptosis of spermatogonial and
Sertoli cells. Ozone injection prevented increases in Johnsen score and i‑NOS level. e‑NOS level of the O‑IP group was significantly
lower than that of the O‑IP group, and i‑NOS level of the O‑IT group was significantly lower than that of the O‑IP group. Local ozone
therapy is more effective than systemic ozone therapy at improving IRI‑related testicular torsion. Our study is the first to show that
the efficacy of intratesticular implementation of ozone therapy is higher than that of intraperitoneal ozone therapy.

Full Text | PDF |