astressin and Reperfusion-Injury

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of urocortin in testicular apoptosis using an experimental ischemia-reperfusion rat model. To evaluate the change in urocortin expression and apoptotic status in the testes following ischemia-reperfusion, the left testes of rats were rotated clockwise by 720° for 1 h, and were then harvested at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 24 h after detorsion (n = 5 in each group). A time-dependent increase in the expression levels of urocortin was noted until 6 h after reperfusion, but the expression of urocortin was markedly decreased 24 h after reperfusion. However, a TUNEL assay showed that the proportion of germ cells undergoing apoptosis significantly increased 24 h after reperfusion compared with that of 6 h after reperfusion. To clarify whether or not urocortin directly regulates the testicular apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion, either astressin, an antagonist of urocortin, or normal saline was injected into the rat testes 15 min before detorsion, followed by the testicular torsion. The testes were then removed 3 h after detorsion (n = 5 in each group). The testicular injection of astressin significantly increased the proportion of TUNEL-positive germ cells, and significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In addition, the level of phosphorylated ERK 1/2, but not that of phosphorylated Akt, was significantly reduced by the intratesticular administration of astressin. These findings suggest that urocortin may play a cytoprotective role in the germ cells in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury through the activation of major anti-apoptotic proteins, as well as by the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway activation.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; bcl-X Protein; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Gene Expression Profiling; Male; Peptide Fragments; Phosphorylation; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Reperfusion Injury; Signal Transduction; Spermatic Cord Torsion; Testis; Urocortins

The stress response involves the activation of two corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptors types 1 and 2. The pituitary type 1 CRF receptors represent the primary receptors to activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and, consequently, glucocorticoid production. Exogenous CRF induces an increase in glucocorticoid production and may protect the gastric mucosa against stress-induced injury. Here we examined contribution of glucocorticoids and CRF receptors type 2 to gastroprotective effect of exogenous CRF. Gastric injury was induced by 3 him-mobilization (at 10 degrees C) in conscious rats or 3.5 h gastric ischemia-reperfusion in anaesthetized rats. Intraperitoneal administration of CRF at the doses of 1.25 or 2.5 Mg/kg increased plasma corticosterone levels and suppressed the occurrence of gastric erosion induced by each stimulus. Metyrapone injected before CRF caused an inhibition of CRF-induced corticosterone response and prevented the protective effect of CRF on the gastric mucosa against erosion caused by immobilization (at 10 degrees C). However, metyrapone injection did not influence the protective effect of CRF on the gastric mucosa against ischemia-reperfusion-induced lesion. The protective effect of CRF on the gastric mucosa against ischemia-reperfusion-induced lesion was prevented by the nonselective CRF receptor antagonist astressin and selective type 2 CRF receptor antagonist astressin2-B. The results obtained suggest that exogenous CRF may protect the gastric mucosa against injury through involvement of glucocorticoids and also through CRF receptors type 2.

Topics: Animals; Antimetabolites; Cold Temperature; Corticosterone; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Gastric Mucosa; Glucocorticoids; Immobilization; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Male; Metyrapone; Peptide Fragments; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; Reperfusion Injury; Stomach; Stomach Ulcer