地塞米松诱导培养的大鼠大脑皮质星形胶质细胞凋亡

目的　研究地塞米松诱导纯化培养的大鼠大脑皮质星形胶质细胞凋亡的作用。方法　不同浓度的地塞米松(浓度为 10 -3 、 10 -4、 10 -5mol/L)与纯化培养的大鼠大脑皮质星形胶质细胞共同孵育 18小时后 ,吖啶橙染色荧光显微镜观察细胞凋亡形态学改变 ,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡和结晶紫比色法酶标仪测定活细胞数。结果　 (1)吖啶橙染色荧光显微镜观察 :10 -4组偶见细胞凋亡 ,10 -3 组可见许多细胞有典型的凋亡形态学改变核固缩 ,深染 ,或肿胀 ,碎裂 ,并可见凋亡小体。 (2 )流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡 :10 -3 组细胞凋亡率为 15 99% ,与其它三组相比明显增高 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1)。 (3)结晶紫法酶标仪测定活细胞数 :10 -3 组OD值为 0 . 185与其它三组相比明显下降 ,有显著性差异 (P <0 0 1) ,表明活细胞数明显减少。结论　大剂量地塞米松可诱导体外的星形胶质细胞凋亡。     

京尼平对脓毒血症小鼠T细胞的免疫调节作用及其潜在机制

目的:探究京尼平对脓毒血症小鼠T细胞的免疫调节作用及其潜在机制。方法:小鼠盲肠结扎穿孔手术(CLP)后,分别在0h和24 h尾静脉注射1 mg/kg、2.5 mg/kg、5 mg/kg京尼平和磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS),连续7d观察和记录小鼠的死亡数。另取小鼠分为Sham组(n=8)、Genipin组(n=8)、CLP组(n=8)、Genipin+CLP组(n=14),Sham组注射PBS并实施假手术,Genipin组注射2.5 mg/kg京尼平并实施假手术,CLP组注射PBS并实施手术,Genipin+CLP组注射2.5 mg/kg京尼平并实施手术。CLP手术26 h后收集脾脏,检测脾脏淋巴细胞总数、CD4~+、CD8~+、细胞因子和凋亡蛋白FADD、caspase-3、caspase-8表达水平。结果:给药2.5 mg/kg的京尼平小鼠存活率高于其他小鼠。CLP组小鼠脾脏淋巴细胞总数、CD4~+、CD8~+、白介素(IL)-2、干扰素(IFN)-γ水平低于Sham组,CLP+Genipin组小鼠上述指标高于CLP组(P0.05);CLP组小鼠凋亡蛋白FADD、caspase-3、caspase-8表达、IL-4、IL-10水平高于Sham组,CLP+Genipin组小鼠上述指标低于CLP组(P0.05)。结论:京尼平能够通过抑制T细胞凋亡改善脓毒血症后期的免疫抑制,提高脓毒性小鼠的存活率。     

脱氧胆酸钠对人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的:探讨脱氧胆酸钠(SD)对体外培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)凋亡的影响。方法:(1)以不同终浓度(0、0.015mg/mL、0.05 mg/mL、0.15 mg/mL、0.5 mg/mL、1.0 mg/mL)的脱氧胆酸钠分别作用于人脐静脉血管内皮细胞,使用CCK-8检测细胞活力、TUNEL荧光染色检测细胞凋亡;(2)以终浓度为0.15 mg/mL的SD作用于HUVEC4、8、12 h后用Western blot检测Caspase-3、7、9蛋白及PARP活化情况;(3)观察Caspase-3抑制剂Z-DEVD-FMK对0.15 mg/mL脱氧胆酸钠组的影响。结果:CCK8结果显示随SD浓度(0~1.0 mg/mL)及作用时间(0~12 h)增加,HUVEC活力降低,0.15 mg/mL时活力为80%,1.0 mg/mL时细胞活力仅不到10%;Tunel检测示随着SD浓度的增加HUVEC凋亡明显增多;Western Blot结果示SD作用于HUVEC后Caspase-3、7、9蛋白及PARP活化明显增加;Z-DEVD-FMK明显抑制了0.15 mg/mLSD引起的PARP活化。结论:脱氧胆酸钠(SD)通过启动Caspase级联反应介导了人脐静脉内皮细胞的凋亡。     

石墨烯量子点对大鼠造血系统的影响

目的:研究石墨烯量子点(GQDs)对大鼠造血系统的影响。方法:30只SD雄性大鼠随机分为3组(n=10):对照组、高、低剂量GQDs实验组(10 mg/kg·d,5 mg/kg·d),对照组尾静脉注射等容积生理盐水,实验组尾静脉注射GQDs,连续28 d。麻醉处死,心脏取血,检测血常规及肝肾功能,获取骨髓单个核细胞(BMCs),流式细胞仪检测细胞周期及凋亡情况。另取3只健康雄性SD大鼠体外培养大鼠四肢骨髓单个核细胞,GQDs分别作用24 h,48 h,72 h后,CCK-8检测细胞增殖情况,ELISA检测细胞上清液中粒-巨细胞刺激集落因子(GM-CSF)含量。结果:GQDs在10 mg/kg·d剂量范围内,实验组大鼠红细胞数和血红蛋白浓度显著增高(P0.05);白细胞和淋巴细胞有增高的趋势;骨髓单个核细胞周期DNA合成前期(G1期)缩短(P0.01),DNA合成期(S期)显著延长(P0.01),细胞凋亡无明显影响;甘油三酯和高密度蛋白浓度显著降低(P0.01)。GQDs作用72 h大鼠骨髓单个核细胞明显增殖(P0.05),细胞上清液中GM-CSF含量显著增加(P0.01)。结论:一定浓度的GQDs可促进大鼠造血功能。     

补充L-精氨酸对热应激大鼠胸腺细胞凋亡的影响

探导热应激对大鼠胸腺细胞的影响及补充L 精氨酸 (L Arg)对胸腺细胞的作用 ,结果显示 :1.在常温下 ,胸腺细胞结构清晰 ,形态规则 ,自然凋亡率低 ,补充L Arg组自然凋亡率低于灌水对照组 (P <0 .0 1) ;2 .不同温度的热应激均可导致胸腺细胞凋亡 ,电镜和光镜显示其典型的形态学特征 ;3.DNA凝胶电泳呈“梯状”条带 ,FCM检测出现凋亡峰 ;4 .补充L Arg的两组上述结果轻于灌水对照组。热应激后 ,2h便可见到凋亡细胞 ,4 - 8h达高峰。补充L Arg组 2 4h后基本恢复到正常水平 ,而灌水对照组稍差。说明适量补充L Arg对热应激大鼠胸腺具有较好的保护作用     

人参皂甙Rg1抗OxLDL诱导内皮细胞凋亡及分子机制

目的 探讨人参皂甙Rg1抑制氧化低密度脂蛋白（oxidized low-density lipoprotein,OxLDL)诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡的作用及其相关分子机制。方法 以体外培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞为模型。分别加入OxLDL200μg/ml(OxLDL组）和OxLDL200μg/ml Rg140μg/ml（Rg1组）;对照组不加任何诱导物,培养24小时后观察细胞形态变化,DNA电泳,TUNEL染色检测细胞有无凋亡及凋亡的程度,Western blot分析各组内皮细胞型一氧化氮合酶（endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase,eNOS)的表达水平。结果 （1）对照组和OxLDL组血管内皮细胞凋亡比例分别为8%和41.35%;(2)Rg1组血管内皮细胞凋亡比例为13.29%;(3)OxLDL抑制牛主动脉内皮细胞的eNOS表达水平,此抑制作用具有剂量依赖性。人参皂甙Rg1可使被OxLDL抑制的eNOS表达水平回升。结论 （1）OxLDL能诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡。（2）人参皂甙Rg1能抑制OxLDL诱导的血管内皮细胞凋亡。（3）此作用可能与上调内皮细胞的eNOS水平,减轻细胞的脂质过氧化损伤有关。     

万古霉素/磷酸钙骨水泥复合材料的细胞毒性研究

目的:研究不同浓度配比(0%、1%、5%、10%)万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的毒性作用。方法:原代培养大鼠间充质干细胞并鉴定;采用CCK-8法测定不同浓度配比万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响、TUNEL法测定细胞凋亡率、扫描电镜观察细胞形态学改变。结果:CCK-8结果显示,5%及10%万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料显著抑制大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖(P0.05);TUNEL结果显示,5%及10%万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料组细胞凋亡率显著增高(P0.05);扫描电镜结果显示,高浓度万古霉素毒性作用下细胞失活,形态学发生显著变化;1%万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料组对细胞影响相对于空白对照组无显著差异。结论:低浓度(1%)万古霉素/磷酸钙复合材料基本无细胞毒性,细胞相容性好。     

大鼠实验性流产模型的建立及黄芪多糖对其的影响

目的应用细菌脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharides,LPS)尾静脉注射建立大鼠实验性流产动物模型,研究黄芪多糖(astragalus polysacharin,APS)对实验性流产大鼠保胎的作用。方法采用怀孕第7天Sprague-Dawley(SD)大鼠尾静脉注射LPS每只1.0μg,建立实验性大鼠流产模型,以正常怀孕大鼠尾静脉注射磷酸缓冲液(PBS)每只1.0mL作为对照组,随机将模型组大鼠分为流产模型组、APS组。APS组于怀孕4～9d口服APS2mL(150mg)/d,对照组与和流产模型组分别于4～9d口服生理盐水2mL/d。于实验第10天麻醉处死各组大鼠,计数妊娠成功比例和流产比例。结果 LPS诱导大鼠流产模型组流产比例高达8/11,而对照组和APS组流产比例分别为1/12和1/6,与流产模型组比较差异极显著(P0.01)。结论 LPS可以诱导建立大鼠流产模型,中药成分APS对实验性大鼠流产具有一定的保护作用。     

碘酸钠诱导小鼠视网膜色素上皮变性模型的研究

目的:探讨股静脉注射不同剂量的碘酸钠后观察C57BL/6J小鼠视网膜色素上皮形态学及视网膜功能的变化。方法:选取30只6-8周龄C57BL/6J的雄性小鼠,随机分为正常对照组6只,实验1组(静脉注射碘酸钠10 mg/kg)6只,实验2组(静脉注射碘酸钠20 mg/kg)6只,实验3组(静脉注射碘酸钠35 mg/kg)6只,实验4组(静脉注射碘酸钠50 mg/kg);正常对照组注射同等剂量的生理盐水。实验组分别经股静脉注射碘酸钠10、20、35、50 mg/kg,于注射后1周行电生理检测,1周、2周行OCT检测。所有小鼠2周后摘除眼球制作冰冻切片以及RPE细胞平铺片进行HE染色、免疫荧光染色。结果:正常对照组小鼠视网膜各层排列整齐,各层之间分界清晰,外核层形态正常,RPE层细胞排列紧密。注射后1周,通过ERG可发现碘酸钠10 mg/kg组小鼠视锥细胞功能已出现损伤,但OCT显示视网膜形态正常;而20 mg/kg以及35 mg/kg小鼠除了视锥细胞功能出现损伤,视杆细胞的功能均降至对照组1/2;且视网膜外核层均出现异常高亮区,外层视网膜丧失分界清晰的结构。注射后2周,10 mg/kg组小鼠通过RPE细胞平铺片即可发现RPE细胞已出现轻微损伤。而20 mg/kg、35 mg/kg组小鼠通过OCT可发现外核层与对照组相比均明显变薄,视网膜出现退行性改变;且通过HE染色和RPE细胞平铺片以及冰冻切片,我们可以发现20 mg/kg、35 mg/kg小鼠外核层出现波浪状改变,单层RPE细胞的连续性被破坏,呈现剂量依赖性。结论:碘酸钠20 mg/kg组经静脉注射后,可以很好的模拟年龄相关性黄斑变性的发病过程,视网膜出现明显的形态和功能变化,为视网膜色素变性提供一个较好的小鼠动物模型。     

应用高脂饮食联合维生素D3建立慢性系膜增殖性肾炎血管病变大鼠模型

目的 探讨应用高脂饮食建立慢性系膜增殖性肾炎血管病变模型的方法.方法 雄性Wistar大鼠行单侧肾切除后随机分为单纯肾切除组、单纯肾炎组、单纯高脂组、肾炎高脂组.单纯肾炎组、肾炎高脂组在单侧肾切除后3d尾静脉注射OX7抗体(100 mg/kg),1周后尾静脉连续注射OX7抗体(每次100 mg/kg,1次/周,共3次),单纯肾切除组和单纯高脂组在同一时间尾静脉注射PBS,注射抗体后第2天单纯高脂组、肾炎高脂组腹腔注射维生素D3(6万U/kg,1次/4周),同时给予高脂饲料.分别于第4、8、10周观察各组大鼠的一般情况、体重、血压、尿蛋白、血浆白蛋白、血脂、血钙、肾功能以及肾脏病理改变.结果 模型组(肾炎高脂组)大鼠第8周肾小球外的小动脉出现管壁增厚,管腔变小,平滑肌细胞减少,细胞排列紊乱,纤维组织增生.第10周单纯肾炎组和单纯高脂组肾小球外小动脉管壁轻度增厚,管腔变化不明显,模型组血管病变积分明显高于单纯肾炎组和单纯高脂组(P＜0.05).结论 通过对慢性抗Thy1肾炎大鼠加用高脂饲料并腹腔注射维生素D3的方法,可以成功建立慢性系膜增殖性肾炎血管病变模型.     

Effect of bromocriptine on lipid plasma levels in rats

Results show that bromocriptine induced marked alterations in plasma levels of cholesterol and lipids in response to acute and chronic administrations in rats. Two hours after an I.P. dose of 10 mg/kg, bromocriptine mesylate caused significant reductions in plasma levels of total high density lipoprotein (HDL) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). At a dose of 20 mg/kg, bromocriptine mesylate induced significant elevations in plasma levels of total cholesterol, total HDL, HDL cholesterol, total low density lipoproteins (LDL), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol). Injected at a dose of 4 or 10 mg/kg daily for 14 consecutive days, bromocriptine mesylate caused significant increases in plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and total LDL whereas the levels of HDL cholesterol, total HDL triglycerides (TG) were reduced. At a dose of 20 mg/kg all parameters were significantly increased. Marked hyperglycaemia was noticed in response to doses of 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg injected daily for 14 consecutive days or 2 hrs after a single administration of 15 mg/kg. Plasma insulin activity was reduced 2 hours after injection of bromocriptine at a dose of 15 mg/kg Likewise, a significant reduction in plasma insulin activity was observed in response to daily I.P. injections of bromocriptine at a dose of 15 mg/kg. Hyperglycaemic and hypoinsulinaemic effects of bromocriptine (acute and chronic) were markedly decreased when sulpiride, a dopaminergic D2 antagonist, was injected at an I.P. dose of 10 mg/kg before bromocriptine. Plasma ACTH activity was significantly increased in response to bromocriptine (15 mg/kg I.P.) in acute and chronic experiments. This effect was markedly diminished when sulpiride was injected prior to bromocriptine. In conclusion, bromocriptine induced marked elevations in plasma levels of total cholesterol and lipids which are likely to be related to hyperglycaemic and hypoinsulinaemic effects.     

The effect of Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 on endotoxemia-induced intestinal apoptosis in infant rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632 on the intestinal apoptosis in endotoxemic infant rats. Wistar albino 15–17-day-old rat pups (n = 21) were randomized to three experimental groups: (1) controls; (2) endotoxemia (LPS); and (3) endotoxemia treated with Y-27632 (LPS + Y-27632). Endotoxemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli serotype 0111:B4; 10 mg/kg). Y-27632 was administered 5 mg/kg i.p at three times, just, 8 and 16 h after LPS injection. Twenty-four hours after LPS injection, intestinal apoptosis was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay and immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3. Endotoxemia induced extensive apoptotic injury in the intestinal tissues. The administration of Y-27632 to endotoxemic infant rats caused a marked decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in both intestinal epithelium and lamina propria. In conclusion, the inhibition of Rho kinase with Y-27632 diminished the intestinal apoptotic damage induced by endotoxemia in infant rats.     

Different Administration Schedules of the Same Dose of 2,5-Hexanedione Influence the Development of Neuropathy and the Toxicokinetics

The same total dose (1.2 g/kg/week) of 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) was administered subcutaneously at 100 mg/kg/12 hr, 200 mg/kg/24 hr, and 400 mg/kg/48 hr to three groups of Donryu rats. The peripheral neuropathy induced by 2,5-HD was confirmed by clinical observation every day, and neurophysiological measurements every 4 weeks. During the 15th week of this experiment, 2,5-HD concentrations in plasma 0.5 to 24 hours after injection were determined. It was found that the greater the dose of 2,5-HD per treatment injected, the earlier peripheral neuropathy developed. Toxicokinetic analysis showed that both the values of the area under the plasma concentration versus time curve and the half life of 2,5-HD were increased, but the excretion parameters (Ke) were decreased, in animals treated with 200 mg/kg/24 hr and 400 mg/kg/48 hr 2,5-HD.     

Chlorpromazine protects against apoptosis induced by exogenous stimuli in the developing rat brain

Background

Chlorpromazine (CPZ), a commonly used antipsychotic drug, was found to play a neuroprotective role in various models of toxicity. However, whether CPZ has the potential to affect brain apoptosis in vivo is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effect of CPZ on the apoptosis induced by exogenous stimuli.

Methodology

The ethanol treated infant rat was utilized as a valid apoptotic model, which is commonly used and could trigger robust apoptosis in brain tissue. Prior to the induction of apoptosis by subcutaneous injection of ethanol, 7-day-old rats were treated with CPZ at several doses (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Apoptotic cells in the brain were measured using TUNEL analysis, and the levels of cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, the pro-apoptotic factor Bax and the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were assessed by immunostaining or western blot.

Findings

Compared to the group injected with ethanol only, the brains of the CPZ-pretreated rats had fewer apoptotic cells, lower expression of cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c and Bax, and higher expression of Bcl-2. These results demonstrate that CPZ could prevent apoptosis in the brain by regulating the mitochondrial pathway.

Conclusions

CPZ exerts an inhibitory effect on apoptosis induced by ethanol in the rat brain, intimating that it may offer a means of protecting nerve cells from apoptosis induced by exogenous stimuli.     

Modification of cyclophosphamide-induced clastogenesis and apoptosis in rats by alpha-lipoic acid

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on the cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced chromosomal aberrations (CA) and apoptosis in the bone marrow of rats. Male Wistar rats of 140+/-20 g were categorized into eight groups. Five groups were administered CP (40 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) to induce toxicity; four of these groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of LA at a dose of either 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight, and either 30 or 60 min prior to CP administration. A vehicle-treated control group and LA control groups were also included. Twenty-four hours after CP treatment, the frequency of CA in bone marrow cells were significantly increased in comparison with the controls. The CP-induced CA were associated with significant increase in DNA damage in the bone marrow as evidenced by increased single strand breaks, whereas in rats treated with LA and CP, the frequency of CA and single strand breaks were significantly decreased in comparison to those given CP alone. CP administration distinctly triggered the apoptotic and necrotic cell death, and LA pretreatment affected cell death by decreasing the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells. The protective effect of LA was found to be stronger at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight than 100 mg/kg body weight dosage, indicating the dose dependent protective effect of LA. However, the protection by LA was not dependent on the time intervals between LA and CP administration. The results of this study illustrate the protective effect of LA on the CA and apoptosis induced by CP in the erythropoietic system of rats.     

510.6 nm铜蒸汽激光诱导兔血管平滑肌细胞凋亡的形态学观察

目的：透射电镜下观察激光诱导的血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）凋亡的形态学改变。方法：组织贴块法培养兔主动脉平滑肌细胞,予激光照射（能量密度200J/cm^2、功率密度200mW/cm^2)后4小时、8小时、12小时、16小时、24小时取材,制作电镜标本,于透射电镜下观察,照相并记录实验结果。结果：透射电子显微镜上可观察到自照光后8小时起VSMC依次出现细胞体积缩小,胞质浓缩,细胞核染色质边集,细胞核固缩,凋亡小体形成等改变。结论：经激光照射,VSMC可呈现凋亡细胞典型形态学改变。     

Effects of captopril on the development of rat doxorubicin nephropathy.

The effects of a daily administration of an anti-converting enzyme inhibitor. Captopril (CPT) (100 mg/kg/orally), on the development of functional and morphological alterations induced in rats by a single injection (7.5 mg/kg/iv) of Doxorubicin (DXR) (Adriamycin*), were investigated. Twenty-four-hour protein excretion, urine output, food intake, water intake, and body weight gain were measured weekly for 30 days. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy observations were performed on kidney samples after 30 days. Four groups were studied. Group 1 were control rats. Group 2 were rats injected with DXR. Group 3 were rats injected with DXR and treated with CPT for 30 days. Group 4 were rats injected with DXR and treated with CPT for 15 days (CPT treatment started 15 days after DXR injection). Group 1 did not show significant functional or morphological changes. Group 2 showed severe proteinuria, significant increase in urinary volume within 2 weeks, significant body weight reduction and diffuse morphological changes. These changes mainly consisted of podocyte swelling, severe foot process fusion, and presence of casts within tubular lumen. Group 3, with respect to group 2, showed a significant reduction of the 24 h protein excretion and urine output. This group displayed morphological changes similar to those observed in group 2, but with a focal distribution. Group 4 showed functional and morphological changes comparable with those of group 2. It is concluded that CPT partially inhibits the development of the functional and morphological damage induced by DXR in the rat kidney. However, CPT did not influence the natural development of nephropathy when treatment started 15 days after DXR injection.     

Pancreatic exocrine damage induced by subcutaneous injection of a low dosage of zinc

The aim of this study was to observe whether a low dosage of zinc induced mouse pancreatic injury. Dosages of zinc from 0.1 to 50 mg/kg were injected subcutaneously in mice, and plasma and pancreatic clinical parameters were observed 3–24 h after the injection. Plasma α-amylase activity increased 10 and 24 h after the injection of 25 or 50 mg/kg of zinc, whereas pancreatic α-amylase activity decreased 3 h after more than 5 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The activity recovered after 24 h except in the group injected with 50 mg/kg of zinc. The plasma glucose level did not change when less than 25 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The pancreatic zinc contents increased 3 h after more than 1 mg/kg of zinc was injected. The pancreatic metallothionein (MT) contents increased 6 h after the injection of 1 mg/kg of zinc. In addition, when more than 5 mg/kg of zinc was injected, the MT content increased at 3 h. In histochemical observations, cell damages such as fibrosis and necrosis were observed in pancreatic exocrine cells, but not in cells of Langerhans islets. From the present study, a single injection of a low dosage of zinc induces injury in pancreatic exocrine cells, but not endocrine cells.     

Apoptosis in the epididymal epithelium of adult male golden hamster exposed to diethylstilbestrol.

Apoptosis in the testis and prostate exposed to disrupters of endocrine function, including diethylstilbestrol (DES), during neonatal or postnatal periods has repeatedly been demonstrated, but not in the mature epididymis. We investigated the effects of DES, a potent and synthetic estrogen, on apoptosis in the adult. Adult male golden hamsters received an SC injection of DES and were then sacrificed to collect epididymides after 1, 4, or 7 days of treatment. A significant decrease in epididymal weight and an increase in apoptotic cells were shown on the first day after DES injection. Flow cytometry showed that DES treatment (1 mg/kg) for 1, 4, or 7 days induced significant apoptosis both in the caput and the cauda epididymides. Greater numbers of apoptotic cells were detected in the caput than in the cauda at a fixed time after DES treatment. Serum levels of testosterone decreased markedly within 24 hr after DES administration, reaching undetectable levels of 0.1 ng/ml at 4 days and thereafter. These results indicate that DES administration can increase epididymal apoptosis with a decrease in serum testosterone levels. Because DES used to be injected into domestic animals, adult males also have a chance to take this substance through food. Our study indicates that exposure to DES in adults is as toxic as that in the perinatal period.     

Effects of cyclophosphamide and buthionine sulfoximine on ovarian glutathione and apoptosis

Treatment with the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (CPA) destroys ovarian follicles. The active metabolites of CPA are detoxified by conjugation with glutathione (GSH). We tested the hypotheses that CPA causes apoptosis in ovarian follicles and that suppression of ovarian GSH synthesis before CPA administration enhances CPA-induced apoptosis. Proestrous rats were given two injections, 2 h apart, with (1) saline, then saline; (2) saline, then 50 mg/kg CPA; (3) saline, then 300 mg/kg CPA; or (4) 5 mmol/kg buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) to inhibit glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, and then 50 mg/kg CPA. Statistically significantly increased DNA fragmentation by agarose gel electrophoresis and granulosa cell apoptosis by TUNEL were observed in the CPA-treated ovaries 24 h after the second injection, but BSO did not enhance the effect of 50 mg/kg CPA. We next tested the hypothesis that CPA depresses ovarian GSH concentration and expression of the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis, GCL. Proestrous rats were injected with 300 or 50 mg/kg CPA or vehicle and were sacrificed 8 or 24 h later. After CPA treatment, ovarian and hepatic GSH levels decreased significantly, and ovarian GCL subunit mRNA levels increased significantly. There were no significant changes in GCL subunit protein levels. Finally, we tested the hypothesis that GSH depletion causes apoptosis in ovarian follicles. Proestrous or estrous rats were injected with 5 mmol/kg BSO or saline at 0700 and 1900 h. There was a significant increase in the percentage of histologically atretic follicles and a nonsignificant increase in the percentage of apoptotic, TUNEL-positive follicles 24 h after onset of BSO treatment. Our results demonstrate that CPA destroys ovarian follicles by inducing granulosa cell apoptosis and that CPA treatment causes a decline in ovarian GSH levels. More pronounced GSH suppression achieved after BSO treatment did not cause a statistically significant increase in follicular apoptosis. Thus, GSH depletion does not seem to be the mechanism by which CPA causes follicular apoptosis.