cytochrome-c-t and Varicocele

Varicocele is ordinarily accompanied by testicular damage and male infertility. Several theories have been proposed to explain the detrimental effect of varicocele on testis tissue, including the possible effects of oxidative stress. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) pathway has been established as a major downstream intracellular pathway of oxidative stress. Recently we have reported that PARP pathway has been activated in varicocele-induced rat testicular damage model. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effect of PARP inhibition in varicocele-associated testicular damage. Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control, sham, varicocele-induced, varicocele-induced 1,5-isoquinolinediol (ISO, a PARP inhibitor)-treated, and ISO treated groups. The ISO-treated rats received intraperitoneal injections of 3 mg/kg ISO daily for 13 weeks. After 13 weeks of varicocele induction, body and testes weights were investigated in all groups. Histopathology of testes were evaluated by light microscopy. Expressions of PAR, p53 and cytochrome c were detected by immunohistochemistry and cleaved PARP-1, PAR, p53 and cytochrome c by western blot. The degree of apoptosis was determined by TUNEL. Light microscopy revealed testicular damage comprising various degrees of seminiferous tubule degeneration in varicocele-induced rats and their testes weights decreased significantly, whereas ISO administration prevented it. Expressions of cleaved PARP-1, PAR, cytochrome c, and p53 increased significantly in varicocele-induced rats, whereas the level of these molecules were similar to controls in varicocele-induced rats treated with ISO. In conclusion, increased PARP activation in testes seems to be related with testicular damage and apoptosis associated with varicocele and pharmacological inhibition of this pathway might be an effective intervention to prevent varicocele-induced testicular injury.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Cytochromes c; Isoquinolines; Male; Oxidative Stress; Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Testis; Varicocele

To study the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on the apoptosis of germ cells in rats with experimental varicocele.. Thirty-two adolescent male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham-operation), B (high-dose TP), C (low-dose TP), and D (experimental left varicocele). Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the latter three groups of rats. The animals in groups A and D were fed with normal saline, while those in B and C with TP at 40 and 10 mg per kg per d, respectively, all for 4 weeks. Then, all the rats were sacrificed and the left testes harvested for determination of the expression of HIF-1, Bcl-2, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry and measurement of the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells.. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher in groups B and C than in D but lower than in A (P < 0.05), and lower in C than in B (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of HIF-1, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 were lower in groups B and C than in D but higher than in A (P < 0.05), and higher in C than in B (P < 0.05). The AI of spermatogenic cells was the lowest in group A, higher in D than in the other groups but lower in B than in C (P < 0.05).. TP can reduce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in a dose-dependent manner in varicocele rats.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; Caspase 3; Cytochromes c; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; Ligation; Male; Polyphenols; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Renal Veins; Spermatozoa; Tea; Testis; Varicocele

To investigate the effects of experimental varicocele on mitochondria calcium and cytochrome C of the epididymal cells in adolescent rats.. Forty male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly: varicocele group (VG) and sham operation group (SOG) by partial ligation or exposure of the left renal vein. Bilateral epididymides were removed after ten. The content of mitochondria weeks. Mitochondria calcium and cytochrome C levels of the epididymal cells were detected. calcium decreased (P < 0.001 ) while that of cytochrome C increased (P < 0.05) markedly in the experimental group compared with SOG.. Calcium dyshomeostasis and mitochondrial damage of the epididymal cells caused by varicocele may play an important role in leading to subfertility.

Topics: Animals; Calcium; Cytochromes c; Epididymis; Infertility, Male; Male; Mitochondria; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Varicocele