The effect of folate on ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat adnexal torsion model

Abstract

Purpose The ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of ovaries in adnexal torsion may have inadvertent consequences. Many agents have been studied in terms of their ability to prevent reperfusion damage to ovaries in suspected cases. In this study, folic acid, known to have antioxidative properties, was investigated to determine whether it played a role in the prevention of I/R damage in a rat ovarian torsion model.Methods In this experimental study, 40 female adult Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into fve groups as control, ischemia, I/R, Fol2 (2 mg/kg folic acid), and Fol4 (4 mg/kg folic acid). In the Fol2 and Fol4 groups, folic acid was intra peritonelly administered 30 min before reperfusion. Blood samples were obtained from the tails of each rat at the second hour of reperfusion.Results The total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status, cystatin C and folic acid levels of the fve groups were investigated. Folic acid in 2 mg/kg dose could moderately increase the serum folic acid concentration (15.75–19.95 ng/ml, p<0.05), reduce the level of cystatin C (0.18–0.12 µg/L, p<0.05), and had a tendency to improve the oxidative stress injury (OSI: 76.05–33.06, p>0.05), although there was no statistical diference in TOS levels (p=0.07). Folic acid in 4 mg/kg dose, could signifcantly increase the serum folic acid concentration (15.75–37.65 ng/ml). However, it did not signifcantly reduce the level of cystatin C (0.18–0.19 µg/L, p>0.05), and did not improve oxidative stress injury (76.05–130.58, p>0.05).Conclusion Folic acid in 2 mg/kg dose might improve the ovarian I/R injury though this was not statistically signifcant. Further studies are required to reach a defnitive conclusion about the protective efect of folic acid in I/R injury.