Flunarizine attenuates ischemia–reperfusion–induced ovarian injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Ovarian ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential protective effects of flunarizine against ovarian I/R–induced injury in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups: healthy control (HG), sham-operated (SOG), ovarian ischemia–reperfusion (OIR), and flunarizine-treated OIR (FOIR). Ovarian tissues were analyzed in terms of oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological alterations, including follicle counting. RESULTS: Ovarian I/R significantly increased tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) while significantly decreasing total glutathione (tGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels. Histopathological evaluation revealed severe follicular degeneration, interstitial edema, vascular congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the OIR group. Following flunarizine administration, these biochemical and histopathological alterations were significantly ameliorated, and a partial restoration in follicle counts was observed. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that flunarizine exerts protective effects against ovarian I/R injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological damage.