Nitric oxide promotes germ cell necrosis in the delayed phase after experimental testicular torsion of rat

The purpose of this study is to determine whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is involved in the pathogenesis of testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in association with germ cell death, through either necrosis or apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that iNOS expression was markedly increased 1 h after ischemia, and was accompanied by a huge nitric oxide (NO) production, as measured by the Griess method, with a peak at 48 h of reperfusion. Immunohistochemistry showed that iNOS was expressed predominantly in the macrophage-like cells infiltrated in the interstitial tissues of the testis. Intraperitoneal injection of aminoguanidine (AMG) (400 mg/day), the inhibitor of iNOS, reduced NO production by 57.7% at 96 h of reperfusion. Calpain activation and proteolysis of alpha-fodrin induced by I/R were inhibited by AMG. Germ cell apoptosis was demonstrated by in situ TUNEL and DNA fragmentation on agarose gel electrophoresis. Germ cell apoptosis was maximally induced at 24 h of reperfusion, and was not inhibited by AMG. NO produced by iNOS in the delayed phase of reperfusion promoted alpha-fodrin proteolysis, which is closely associated with necrosis. Inducible NOS inhibition combined with calpain inhibition may improve impaired spermatogenesis after testicular torsion.     

Alterations in mitogenic and steroidogenic activities in rat testicular interstitial fluid after administration of ethane dimethane sulphonate

A single dose of EDS was given to mature male rats and interstitial fluid (IF) was collected to determine the potency of mitogenic and steroidogenic activities therein. The potency of the factor stimulating testosterone secretion in vitro by Percoll-purified Leydig cells was significantly elevated 2 weeks after EDS, whilst the potency of mitogenic activities (stimulation of DNA synthesis by BALB/c 3T3 cells) was not elevated until 4 weeks after EDS treatment. This study suggests that two separate factors, one with mitogenic and the other steroidogenic activity, may be involved in the response of Leydig cells after EDS administration. The mitogenic factor may play a role in Leydig cell regeneration whereas the testosterone-stimulating factor may be involved in testicular testosterone homeostasis.     

Inhibition of testosterone secretion by S-petasin in rat testicular interstitial cells

S-petasin, a kind of sesquiterpene ester, is the anti-inflammatory ann analgesic component of the butterbur (Petasites hybridus). The clinical benefit of S-petasin is the spasmolytic activity, but its side effects on the reproductive endocrinology are not clear yet. The present study was to explore the effects of S-petasin on the secretion of testosterone in vivo and in vitro. We found that single intravenous injection of S-petasin (1 microg/kg) decreased basal plasma testosterone concentration in adult male rats. The enzymatically dispersed rat testicular interstitial cells were incubated with S-petasin (0-4.3 x 10(-5)M) in the presence or absence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, 0.05 IU/ml), forskolin (adenylyl cyclase activator, 10(-5) M), and androstenedione (testosterone biosynthesis precursor, 10(-9) M) at 34 degrees C for 1 h. The concentrations of testosterone in the incubation medium were measured by radioimmunoassay. S-petasin at 4.3 x 10(-7) M was effective to reduce the basal and hCG-stimulated release of testosterone in rat testicular interstitial cells. The stimulatory effects of testosterone secretion induced by forskolin and androstenedione were significantly reduced by S-petasin at 4.3 x 10(-5) M and 4.3 x 10(-6) M, respectively. These results suggest that S-petasin inhibits the production of testosterone in rat testicular interstitial cells in part through diminishing the activities of adenylyl cyclase and 17-ketosteroid reductase.     

Inhibition of calpain but not caspase protects the testis against injury after experimental testicular torsion of rat

Testicular torsion requires emergent release of the twisted spermatic cord. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) plays an important role in its pathogenesis, and recent data suggest that germ cells undergo apoptosis during I/R. In a model of torsion/detorsion (i.e., I/R) of the rat testis, involvement of calpain and caspase in necrotic and apoptotic cell death was examined. After 1 h of ischemia followed by 0, 0.5, 1, 6, or 24 h of reperfusion, the germ cells positively stained with in situ TUNEL, and DNA fragmentation, activation of caspase-3, and proteolysis of caspase substrates increased with time of reperfusion, demonstrating apoptosis. In addition, m-calpain activation and proteolysis of alpha-fodrin were increased during reperfusion, and its activation is thought to be involved in the necrosis. A calpain inhibitor, acety-leucyl-leucyl-norleucinal, inhibited the phenomena associated with apoptosis and necrosis induced by I/R, although a caspase inhibitor, Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethlyketone, only inhibited apoptotic changes. The inhibition of calpain but not caspase ameliorated the injury after 60 days of reperfusion following 1 h of ischemia. The calpain inhibitor injected just before reperfusion effectively suppressed alpha-fodrin proteolysis, suggesting its usefulness in the treatment of testicular torsion.     

Inhibition of testosterone secretion by digitoxin in rat testicular interstitial cells.

Both in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to determined the effects of digitoxin on the secretion of testosterone, and its underlying mechanisms including testicular adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP), and the activities of steroidogenic enzymes. Male rats were injected with digitoxin, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), or hCG plus digitoxin via a jugular catheter. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at 30 and 60 min after the challenge, and analyzed for testosterone by radioimmunoassay. In an in vitro study, rat testicular interstitial cells were isolated and incubated with digitoxin, hCG, 8-bromo-cAMP (8-Br-cAMP), digitoxin plus hCG, or digitoxin plus 8-Br-cAMP at 34 degrees C for 1 h. The media were collected and analyzed for testosterone. For studying cAMP accumulation, testicular interstitial cells were incubated for 1 h in the medium containing isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and different doses of digitoxin with the absence or presence of hCG. After incubation, cells were processed for determining cAMP content. Intravenous injection of digitoxin decreased hCG-stimulated, but not basal, plasma testosterone levels. Administration of digitoxin in vitro resulted in an inhibition of both basal and hCG- as well as 8-Br-cAMP-stimulated release of testosterone. In addition, digitoxin diminished hCG-stimulated cAMP accumulation in rat testicular interstitial cells. Furthermore, digitoxin inhibited the activity of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) but failed to affect the activities of other steroidogenic enzymes. Taken together, these results suggest that the acute inhibitory effect of digitoxin on the testosterone production in testicular interstitial cells involves, at least partly, an inefficiency of post-cAMP events, and a decrease of P450scc activity.     

Effect of cryptorchidism on steroidogenic and mitogenic activities in rat testicular interstitial fluid

There was a significant (P less than 0.05) and consistent increase in the potency of steroidogenic stimulatory activity (testosterone production by purified Leydig cells in vitro) in testicular interstitial fluid of the cryptorchid compared to the scrotal testis from 1 to 4 weeks after the induction of unilateral cryptorchidism. In contrast, the level of mitogenic activity [( 3H]thymidine incorporation into 3T3 cells) was not significantly different between interstitial fluid from cryptorchid and scrotal testes for up to 4 weeks after surgery. These results indicate that the steroidogenic activity and the mitogenic activity are due to different, as yet unidentified, factors in testicular interstitial fluid.     

Localization of immunoreactive beta-endorphin and adrenocorticotropic hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA to rat testicular interstitial tissue macrophages.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene expression and POMC peptides have been demonstrated in the Leydig cells of the testis, although selective removal of the Leydig cells with the cytotoxic drug ethane dimethane sulfonate did not significantly reduce levels of testicular POMC mRNA or peptides in adult rats. Since macrophages in the rat spleen synthesize POMC peptides, we investigated whether isolated macrophages from the adult rat testis may be an additional source of POMC-derived peptides. Testicular macrophages were isolated by collagenase treatment of adult rat testes and adherence to siliconized glass coverslips; the biological, cytochemical and immunological characteristics of the attached cells were compared with those of Leydig cells purified by Percoll gradient centrifugation. Macrophages in the cell preparations were identified by positive esterase cytochemical staining, latex bead ingestion, and immunocytochemical staining with ED2 (a macrophage-specific monoclonal antibody), and an absence of 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase cytochemical staining. Leydig cells in the purified preparations were positive for 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and esterase staining but negative with ED2, and were not phagocytic. Based on these criteria, the purities of the macrophage and Leydig cell preparations employed in this study were estimated to be 87 +/- 4% and 91 +/- 3%, respectively. Cytoplasmic beta-endorphin (beta EP) immunoreactivity (ir) was present in 62 +/- 9% of cells in the purified Leydig cell preparations--confirming these cells as a source of POMC-derived peptides. In addition, ir-beta EP and ir-ACTH were localized to the cytoplasm of a similar proportion of cells (beta EP, 62.5 +/- 5%; ACTH, 64 +/- 5%) in macrophage preparations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Glucose utilization rates are linked to the internal free glucose gradient in the rat tapeworm

Hymenolepis diminuta is able to acquire plasma-borne glucose 3-O-[14C]methylglucose in vivo. Free glucose concentrations estimated for this helminth in vivo are comparable to that of the host intestine. Both in vivo and in vitro examinations indicate that the scolex-neck regions (first quartile) of this tapeworm have the highest glucose content, and an anterior-posterior gradient along the second, third, and fourth quartiles was observed. Substrate concentration was rate affecting for glucose utilization rates (measured as substrate depletion from the medium in vitro). Glucose utilization per minute exceeds glucose content by a factor of more than 5. The half-life of glucose was about 10 sec, emphasizing that sugar metabolism is a very rapid process. In addition, utilization was highest in the first quartile and decreased in succession in the second, third, and fourth quartiles. It is concluded that while the exogenous glucose concentration remains stable, regional differences in glucose utilization rates are linked (R = 0.98; P less than 0.01) to free glucose content in H. diminuta.     

Metabolic consequences of agonistic behaviour: crab fights in declining oxygen tensions

The energetic consequences of fighting, which may depend on environmental conditions, can be an important factor shaping contest strategy and duration. Energy expenditure may be costly to fitness because it depletes reserves that could otherwise have been allocated to reproduction, and metabolites are produced that may constrain subsequent activities. We examined the variation in the metabolic consequences of fighting in relation to hypoxia. Contests were staged between pairs of size-matched male shore crabs Carcinus maenas L., under a range of water oxygen tensions (between 10 and 100% oxygen saturation) which crabs experience in their natural habitat. Fighting under normoxic and hypoxic conditions resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of haemolymph metabolites (L-lactate and glucose) compared with crabs at rest. However, these concentrations were much lower than in crabs that had been walking on a treadmill. Glycogen concentrations differed only under hypoxic conditions: glycogen stores were reduced in crabs after fighting and this reduction was similar to that after exercise on a treadmill. Contests were shorter when they were staged below a water P o2of 6.7 kPa ( approximately 30% normoxia). As water oxygen tensions were reduced, fighting crabs had greater concentrations of L-lactate and glucose in their blood and tissues whilst glycogen stores were reduced. Fights became shorter when crabs were exposed to severe hypoxia (P o2=2 kPa) for increasing lengths of time, and blood L-lactate concentrations increased. The results suggest that as fights progressed, crabs experienced an increasing metabolic debt, in the form of accumulation of L-lactate and a reduction in energy stores, which was amplified by hypoxic conditions. Copyright 1999 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.     

Neuroprotection in hypothermia linked to redistribution of oxygen in brain

Hypothermia improves the outcome of acute ischemic stroke, traumatic injury, and inflammation of brain tissue. We tested the hypothesis that hypothermia reduces the energy metabolism of brain tissue to a level that is commensurate with the prevailing blood flow and hence allows adequate distribution of oxygen to the entire tissue. To determine the effect of 32 degrees C hypothermia on brain tissue, we measured the sequential changes of physiological variables by means of PET in pigs. Cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption (cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen) declined to 50% of the baseline in 3 and 5 h, respectively, thus elevating the oxygen extraction fraction to 140% of the baseline at 3 h. The results are consistent with the claim that cooling of the brain to 32 degrees C couples both energy metabolism and blood flow to a lower rate of work of the entire tissue.     

Disturbed testicular descent in the rat after prenatal exposure to the antiandrogen flutamide.

Exposure of rats in utero to the anti-androgen flutamide resulted in feminization of the external genitalia that was noticeable at birth. This exposure also resulted in a high degree of cryptorchidism during adulthood. In most affected animals, testes were lying in 'ovary position' close to the caudal pole of the ipsilateral kidney. Cryptorchidism occurred despite normal prenatal development of the gubernacular cones and the transformation of these structures, postnatally, into muscular cremaster sacs. Inter- and intralitter variation in the response to prenatal exposure to flutamide was observed as well as intra-individual variation. Cryptorchidism frequently occurred unilaterally with right side cryptorchidism predominating. Cryptorchidism occurred in association with marked suppression of the growth of the ipsilateral epididymis and deferent duct. The possibility is considered that the poor development or absence of these structures contributes to cryptorchidism. Intra-individual variation supports the concept of the local nature of the influence of testis hormones in stabilization and further differentiation of the ipsilateral Wolffian duct derivatives. Cryptorchidism was enhanced when rats were treated postnatally with testosterone or oestradiol. The effect of testosterone was unexpected in view of the generally held hypothesis that androgens enhance testis descent. The effect of oestradiol was as expected: other animal models have been described in which induction of cryptorchidism by oestradiol occurs. Additional treatment with oestradiol caused further suppression of growth of the epididymis and deferent duct. The response to prenatal exposure to flutamide was not altered by further injections of flutamide postnatally. Such injections were without effect in males not exposed to flutamide prenatally except for minor, but statistically significant, testicular enlargement during adulthood. A model is thus presented that describes cryptorchidism as an endogenous developmental disorder.     

Differences in catalytic activity between rat testicular and ovarian carbonyl reductases are due to two amino acids

The sequences of rat testis carbonyl reductase (rCR1) and rat ovary carbonyl reductase (rCR2) are 98% identical, differing only at amino acids 140, 141, 143, 235 and 238. Despite such strong sequence identity, we find that rCR1 and rCR2 have different catalytic constants for metabolism of menadione and 4-benzoyl-pyridine. Compared to rCR1, rCR2 has a 20-fold lower K(m) and 5-fold lower k(cat) towards menadione and a 7-fold lower K(m) and 7-fold lower k(cat) towards 4-benzoyl-pyridine. We constructed hybrids of rCR1 and rCR2 that were changed at either residues 140, 141 and 143 or residues 235 and 238. rCR1 with residues 140, 141 and 143 of rCR2 has similar catalytic efficiency for menadione and 4-benzoyl-pyridine as rCR1. rCR1 with Thr-235 and Glu-238 of rCR2 has the catalytic constants of rCR2, indicating that it is this part of rCR2 that contributes to its lower K(m) for menadione and 4-benzoyl-pyridine. Comparisons of three-dimensional models of rCR1 and rCR2 show how Thr-235 and Glu-238 stabilize rCR2 binding of NADPH and menadione.     

Changes in the fine structure of the human testicular interstitial cells after treatment with human gonadotrophins

Summary Study of the fine structure of the human interstitial cells after prolonged stimulation with human gonadotrophin reveals a striking increase in the quantity of the agranular endoplasmic reticulum. This is accompanied by an increase in the number of mitochondria which exhibit more extensive cristae, collections of intramitochondrial lipid and aggregations of electron-dense granular deposits. A rise is also evident in the number of lipofuscin pigment deposits and granular membrane-bounded bodies, both of which exhibit acid phosphatase activity. These changes after gonadotrophic stimulation are discussed in relation to steroid biosynthesis.In the pretreatment biopsies of these patients aged between 25–35 years, some interstitial cells contain intranuclear crystals which exhibit a hexagonal structure. The relationship of these intranuclear crystals to the cytoplasmic crystals of Reinke is discussed.The author is indebted to Dr. J. W. Johnstone and Dr. A. Long for the human material used in this study. Thanks are also due to Dr. H. P. Taft for helpful suggestions in the management of these patients, to Professor B. Hudson for the estimations of plasma testosterone and to Dr. J. B. Brown for the supply of human pituitary gonadotrophin and the estimations of urinary oestrogens. The technical help of Mr. T. Mezciems and the photographic assistance of Mr. J. S. Simmons F. R. P. S. and Miss S. Flett is gratefully acknowledged.     

Acute response of testicular interstitial tissue in rats to the cytotoxic drug ethane dimethanesulphonate

Summary The cytotoxic effects of ethane dimethanesulphonate upon rat Leydig cells were examined ultrastructurally up to 3 days after treatment and related to changes in serum levels of gonadotrophins and testosterone. Six hours after administration of ethane dimethanesulphonate the usual tubulo-vesicular morphology of Leydig-cell smooth endoplasmic reticulum was converted to small vesicles and the Golgi apparatus showed focal hypertrophy into anastomosing tubules. These changes became more marked by 12 h with many Leydig cells exhibiting karyopyknosis and hyperchromatism. Necrotic Leydig cells were often engulfed by macrophages, the latter containing pyknotic fragments of Leydig cells within their cytoplasm. One day after administration, advanced necrosis of Leydig cells occurred, many of which were phagocytosed by macrophages, and on day 3, destruction of Leydig cells was complete resulting in their elimination from the interstitial tissue, which contained only loose connective tissue and macrophages. Structural alterations to the Leydig cells from 6–24 h was reflected by a significant reduction in serum testosterone levels which further declined to the limits of detection accompanying the abolition of Leydig cells on day 3. These changes were paralleled by a significant elevation of serum LH and FSH levels suggesting diminished feedback regulation of pituitary gonadotrophin secretion. The results indicate that ethane dimethanesulphonate is a rapidly acting Leydig cell toxin which may be a useful experimental tool in further studies of spermatogenic function mediated via Sertoli cell-Leydig cell interaction.     

Apoptotic DNA alterations in pig leukocytes after phagocytosis of bacteria are linked to maturation of the immune system

The effect of phagocytosis of living bacteria on apoptotic DNA changes was examined in pig leukocytes in relation to immune system maturation. Blood samples of pigs (aged 6, 12 and 18 weeks) were cultivated with a suspension of bacterial cells Salmonella typhimurium LB 5000 at 37 (o)C. In the experimental groups, killed bacteria and microspheric particles were used to detect the influence of the phagocytic process. Phagocytic activity and index were determined in each sample by means of microspheric particles. The ability to kill engulfed microbes (bactericidal capacity) was estimated from the decrease in bacterial colony-forming units (CFU). Samples of cultured cells were taken for DNA analysis at given intervals. DNA ladder assay was used for qualitative apoptotic DNA break detection and the TUNEL AP test was employed for quantification of apoptosis. In 18-week-old animals, spontaneous DNA degradation was observed in the control group without phagocytosis after 8 h. In contrast, cells cultivated with microspheric particles or killed bacteria became apoptotic after 4 h. The rate of apoptotic DNA degradation was decreased in the group exposed to living bacteria. This prolonged survival of phagocytes was also detected in 12-week-old animals, but not at 6 weeks of age. These findings were supported by the ability of phagocytes in 6-week-old animals to engulf microbes, but their killing (bactericidal) ability was significantly decreased in comparison with other stages of immune system maturation. These results suggest that the process of phagocytosis itself is accompanied by activation of the apoptotic program in phagocytic cells of the pig immune system, but the presence of phagocyted living bacteria can delay this activation. The prolonged survival of short-lived cells was only observed in later phases of immune system maturation.     

Pyruvate metabolism of perfused rat lungs after exposure to 100% oxygen

Previous studies with lung homogenates have suggested that pulmonary O2 toxicity is in part a result of inhibited mitochondrial energy metabolism. In this study, mitochondrial metabolism was determined by measurements of 14CO2 production from [1-14C]-pyruvate in perfused lungs, isolated after 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h of exposure to 100% O2. Measurements were made under normal and stimulated conditions brought about by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). Lungs were ventilated with 5% CO2 in O2 and perfused for 100 min with 12.5 mM 14C labeled pyruvate. Unexposed lungs gave a linear rate of 14CO2 production of 121 +/- 16 mumol/h/g dry wt (n = 5), which was maximally stimulated 84% by perfusion with 0.8 mMDNP. Twenty-four hours of exposure to 100% O2 did not significantly affect 14CO2 production. In contrast, DNP failed to significantly stimulate pyruvate metabolism to CO2 in lungs exposed for greater than 3 h to 100% O2. These latter data suggested that O2 exposure makes lung mitochondria unable to respond to increased ATP demands associated with DNP uncoupling. Compromised energy metabolism is therefore an important early event in O2 toxicity.