Abstract
Post-operative intra-abdominal adhesions, significantly affecting testicular tissue, are a prevalent and serious complication following laparoscopic surgery. This study investigated the efficacy of boric acid, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, in preventing post-operative testicular adhesions. Forty rats, weighing between 230 and 290 grams, were divided into four groups: control, laparoscopy (LA), boric acid (BA), and LA + BA. Following laparoscopic surgery, BA treatment was administered for seven days. Adhesion scores were markedly higher in the LA group, whereas the LA + BA group exhibited a significant reduction in adhesion scores. Testicular tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Masson's trichrome staining, biochemical assays, and histopathological evaluation. In the LA group, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels decreased; these parameters normalized with BA treatment. Additionally, the LA group exhibited reduced levels of IL-10, Bcl-2, Kisspeptin-1, and GnRH, alongside elevated levels of inflammatory markers IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, JNK, BAX, and Caspase 3. Boric acid treatment significantly restored these levels to normal. In conclusion, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testicular tissues were associated with post-operative testicular adhesions. Boric acid demonstrated potential as an anti-adhesive agent, reducing testicular adhesions and normalizing biochemical and histological parameters following laparoscopic surgery.