Protective effects of dexmedetomidine on ischaemia‐reperfusion injury in an experimental rat model of priapism

The study aimed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury occurring after priapism in a model of induced‐priapism in rats. A total of 18 male rats were randomised into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. A priapism model was performed rats in Group 2 and then ischaemia‐reperfusion injury was evaluated. Group 3 had similar procedures to the rats in Group 2. Rats in Group 3 additionally had 100 μg/kg dexmedetomidine administered intraperitoneally immediately after reperfusion. Blood and tissue samples were analysed. Biochemical analysis of blood samples revealed a decrease in the levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines including interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1 Beta), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha) in Group 3 compared to Group 2 ( p :.04, p :.009 and p :.009, respectively). Similarly, the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) level was in Group 2 ( p :.002). The levels of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities were significantly higher in Group 3 than that of Group 2 ( p :.037 and p :.045, respectively). Direct microscopic examinations revealed positive changes in desquamation, oedema, inflammation and vasocongestion scores in Group 3 compared to Group 2 ( p :.007, p :.008, p :.007 and p :.006, respectively). Dexmedetomidine has a protective effect against ischaemia‐reperfusion injury in penile tissue.