Protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on germ cell apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats.
- Author:
Xiao-Kang GAO
1
;
Bo YANG
;
He WANG
;
Chen SHAO
;
He-Liang LIU
;
Guo-Xing SHAO
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Apoptosis; drug effects; Cryptorchidism; pathology; Enzyme Inhibitors; pharmacology; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; pharmacology; Nitric Oxide; physiology; Nitric Oxide Synthase; physiology; Protective Agents; pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Spermatozoa; pathology
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2003;9(9):684-689
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid.
METHODSImmature rats (22 day-old Sprague Dawley) were subjected to unilateral cryptorchid. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (testes still in the scrotum after operation); operation group; operation + L-NAME group(given L-NAME 10 mg/kg after operation, dip). Seven days after operation germ cell apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated-dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, NOS) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination.
RESULTSAt the 7th day after the operation, compared with the control, the number of apoptotic germ cells in the cryptorchid testis was increased significantly, but the testis weight was decreased predominantly(P < 0.01). The levels of NO and NOS in the cryptorchid were significantly higher than the control.
CONCLUSIONSThe levels of NO and NOS might be involved in the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid; L-NAME could protect the germ cell from apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats by reducing the activity of NOS and reducing the level of NO in the testis.
