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Bhardwaj JK, Kumar V, Panchal H, Sachdeva SN. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of glyphosate induced cytotoxicity and its attenuation by N-acetyl-L-cysteine in caprine testicular germ cells in vitro. Ultrastruct Pathol 2021; 45:407-413. [PMID: 34698588 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2021.1993400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The agricultural pesticide poisoning is currently the most thrust area of human health concern. Pesticide-induced cytotoxicity and the corresponding reproductive toxicity in today's scenario is not a concealed reality that has to be considered for the continuation of respective race. Here, the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique was employed to investigate the adverse impact of glyphosate (GLY) and its mitigation by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in goat testicular germ cells under in vitro conditions. The ultrastructural observations of testicular tissue from GLY-treated groups at different concentrations (0.1 and 4 mg/ml) and exposure durations (8 and 12 h) revealed that this organophosphate herbicide induced different apoptotic characteristics in testicular germ cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. However, NAC (10 mM), being a potent antioxidant, was found to mitigate GLY-induced cytotoxicity in testicular cells as evidenced by fewer apoptotic characteristics in GLY plus NAC-treated groups, suggesting its beneficial potential in alleviating the GLY-induced gonadotoxicity in males.Abbreviations: GLY (Glyphosate), NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine), TEM (Transmission electron microscopic), GE (genetic engineered), Organophosphate (OPs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitender Kumar Bhardwaj
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India
| | - Vijay Kumar
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India
| | - Harish Panchal
- Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India
| | - Som Nath Sachdeva
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra and Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, India
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Mantawy EM, Said RS, Kassem DH, Abdel-Aziz AK, Badr AM. Novel molecular mechanisms underlying the ameliorative effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against ϒ-radiation-induced premature ovarian failure in rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 206:111190. [PMID: 32871518 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Radiotherapy represents a critical component in cancer treatment. However, premature ovarian failure (POF) is a major hurdle of deleterious off-target effects in young females, which, therefore, call for an effective radioprotective agent. The present study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) against γ-radiation-provoked POF. Immature female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally-administered NAC (50 mg/kg) and were exposed to a single whole-body dose of 3.2 Gy ϒ-radiation. NAC administration remarkably reversed abnormal serum estradiol and anti-Müllerian hormone levels by 73% and 40%, respectively while ameliorating the histopathological and ultrastructural alterations-triggered by γ-radiation. Mechanistically, NAC alleviated radiation-induced oxidative damage through significantly increased glutathione peroxidase activity by 102% alongside with decreasing NADPH oxidase subunits (p22 and NOX4) gene expressions by 48% and 38%, respectively compared to the irradiated untreated group. Moreover, NAC administration achieved its therapeutic effect by inhibiting ovarian apoptosis-induced by radiation through downregulating p53 and Bax levels by 33% and 16%, respectively while increasing the Bcl-2 mRNA expression by 135%. Hence, the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and cytochrome c expression were subsequently reduced leading to decreased caspase 3 activity by 43%. Importantly, the anti-apoptotic property of NAC could be attributed to inactivation of MAPK signaling molecules; p38 and JNK, and enhancement of the ovarian vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Taken together, our results suggest that NAC can inhibit radiotherapy-induced POF while preserving ovarian function and structure through upregulating VEGF expression and suppressing NOX4/MAPK/p53 apoptotic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Mantawy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Riham S Said
- Department of Drug Radiation Research, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology, Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Dina H Kassem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amira Mohamed Badr
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Razi M, Tavalaee M, Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei F, Moazamian A, Gharagozloo P, Drevet JR, Nasr-Eshafani MH. Varicocoele and oxidative stress: New perspectives from animal and human studies. Andrology 2020; 9:546-558. [PMID: 33145958 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varicocoele (VCL), one of the main causes of male subfertility, negatively affects testicular function. Due to limited access to human testicular tissue, animal model studies have been used to evaluate molecular and, recently, epigenetic changes attributed to pathophysiology induced by VCL. OBJECTIVES This review aims to provide an update on the latest findings regarding the link between VCL-induced biochemical stress and molecular changes in germ cells and spermatozoa. Endocrine and antioxidant status, testicular chaperone-specific hemostasis failure, altered testicular ion balance, metabolic disorders, and altered carbon cycling during spermatogenesis are among the many features that will be presented. DISCUSSION Literature review coupled with our own findings suggests that ionic imbalance, hypoxia, hyperthermia, and altered blood flow could lead to severe chronic oxidative and nitrosative stress in patients with VCL leading to defective spermatogenesis and impairment of the integrity of all sperm cell components and compartments down to the epigenetic information they carry. CONCLUSION Since oxidative stress is an important feature of the reproductive pathology of VCL, therapeutic strategies such as the administration of appropriate antioxidants could be undertaken as a complementary non-invasive treatment line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazdak Razi
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Tavalaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Farshid Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei
- Department of Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | | | | | - Joël R Drevet
- Faculty of Medicine, GReD Institute, INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Mohammad-Hossein Nasr-Eshafani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Biotechnology, ACECR, Isfahan, Iran
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Ghafarizadeh A, Malmir M, Naderi Noreini S, Faraji T. Antioxidant effects of N-acetylcysteine on the male reproductive system: A systematic review. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13898. [PMID: 33167060 DOI: 10.1111/and.13898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine on the male reproductive system and consensus and classification of data found from previous studies. It is undeniable that N-acetyl cysteine as a powerful antioxidant compound can medicate many diseases such as cardiovascular, kidney, liver and reproductive system disorders. With the increasing environmental pollution that has a direct adverse effect on male fertility, the use of this compound is able to positively function on human fertility health. In this study, we have been collected the main data of scientific articles (1994-2020) about N-acetyl cysteine effects. By searching in the scientific databases of PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Wiley and Web of Science, related articles were extracted. As a result, all observations have confirmed that N-acetyl cysteine can improve and normalise the spermatogenesis in the male reproduction system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mahdi Malmir
- Department of Midwifery, Tuyserkan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tuyserkan, Iran
| | | | - Tayebeh Faraji
- Department of Midwifery, Tuyserkan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tuyserkan, Iran
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Bromfield EG, Walters JLH, Cafe SL, Bernstein IR, Stanger SJ, Anderson AL, Aitken RJ, McLaughlin EA, Dun MD, Gadella BM, Nixon B. Differential cell death decisions in the testis: evidence for an exclusive window of ferroptosis in round spermatids. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:241-256. [PMID: 30865280 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major aetiology in many pathologies, including that of male infertility. Recent evidence in somatic cells has linked oxidative stress to the induction of a novel cell death modality termed ferroptosis. However, the induction of this iron-regulated, caspase-independent cell death pathway has never been explored outside of the soma. Ferroptosis is initiated through the inactivation of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and is exacerbated by the activity of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), a lipoxygenase enzyme that facilitates lipid degradation. Here, we demonstrate that male germ cells of the mouse exhibit hallmarks of ferroptosis including; a caspase-independent decline in viability following exposure to oxidative stress conditions induced by the electrophile 4-hydroxynonenal or the ferroptosis activators (erastin and RSL3), as well as a reciprocal upregulation of ALOX15 and down regulation of GPX4 protein expression. Moreover, the round spermatid developmental stage may be sensitized to ferroptosis via the action of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), which modifies membrane lipid composition in a manner favourable to lipid peroxidation. This work provides a clear impetus to explore the contribution of ferroptosis to the demise of germline cells during periods of acute stress in in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica L H Walters
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shenae L Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew D Dun
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barend M Gadella
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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Karna KK, Choi BR, You JH, Shin YS, Cui WS, Lee SW, Kim JH, Kim CY, Kim HK, Park JK. The ameliorative effect of monotropein, astragalin, and spiraeoside on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial signaling pathway in varicocelized rats. Altern Ther Health Med 2019; 19:333. [PMID: 31771569 PMCID: PMC6880392 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2736-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Monotropein, astragalin, and spiraeoside (MAS) are active compounds extracted from medicinal herbs; monotropein from Morinda officinalis How (Rubiaceae), astragalin (kaempferol 3-O-glucoside) from Cuscuta chinensis Lamark (Convolvulaceae) and spiraeoside from the outer scales of Allium cepa L. (Liliceae) in a ratio of 6.69:0.41:3.61. Monotropein, astragalin, and spiraeoside are well-known antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive agents. The current investigation aims to study the molecular mechanism of varicocele-induced male infertility and the underlying pharmacological mechanisms of MAS. Methods Four groups were included: control (CTR), MAS 200 group (MAS 200 mg/kg), varicocele group (VC), and VC + MAS 200 group (MAS 200 mg/kg). Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 200 mg/kg MAS or vehicle once daily for 28 days. The possible signaling mechanism and effects of MAS were measured via histological staining, immunohistochemistry, western blot, and biochemical assays. Results Parameters such as sperm motility and count, Johnsen’s scores, spermatogenic cell density, serum testosterone, testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) improved significantly in the VC + MAS 200 group compared with the VC group. MAS treatment of varicocele-induced group significantly decreased the levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as testicular interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), ROS/RNS, and malondialdehyde (MDA). It also decreased the apoptotic index and reduced the expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein levels (Grp78, p-IRE1α, and p-JNK) and apoptotic markers such as cleaved caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. Conclusion This study suggests that the crosstalk between oxidative stress, ER stress, and mitochondrial pathway mediates varicocele-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis. MAS promotes spermatogenesis in varicocele-induced SD rat, probably by decreasing cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) levels, regulating abnormal sex hormones, and decreasing oxidative stress, ER stress, and apoptosis.
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Kheradmandi R, Jorsaraei SGA, Feizi F, Moghadamnia AA, Neamati N. Protective Effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2019; 13:51-56. [PMID: 30644245 PMCID: PMC6334019 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphate pesticide, is widely used in farms in order to preserve crops
and fruits. Previous studies have shown that CPF exposure might cause chronic toxicity in male genital system. The
present study investigated the protective effect of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant against testicular
toxicity of CPF in male mice. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 42 adult male mice were divided into seven groups, CPF low (0.5
mg/kg.b.w) and high (5 mg/kg.b.w) doses groups, NAC group (35 mg/kg.b.w), NAC+CPF 0/5 mg/kg.b.w, NAC+CPF
5 mg/kg.b.w, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 0.75% solution mg/kg.b.w) and control group. All treatment were done
intraperitoneally. Treatment was conducted for four consecutive weeks (five days each week). However NAC was
injected to NAC+CPF groups five days before initiation of the treatment procedure. One week after the last injection,
mice were sacrificed using anesthetic gas to evaluate alterations in testicular histology and sperm parameters. Results Seminiferous tubules area and diameter were significantly diminished in the group treated with 5 mg/kg CPF
(P<0.05). CPF also statistically reduced sperm parameters (count and motility) and damaged sperm morphology) at
both doses (P<0.05). However, NAC significantly improved spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatid cell counts as
well as sperm parameters in mice treated with both CPF concentrations (P<0.05). Conclusion According to our results, NAC may significantly ameliorate CPF-induced damages to spermatogonia,
spermatocytes, spermatids cell counts and sperm parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Kheradmandi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Seyed Gholam Ali Jorsaraei
- Fatemeh-Zahra Infertility and Health Reproductive Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.Electronic Address:
| | - Farideh Feizi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Nahid Neamati
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Babol University of Medical Science, Babol, lran
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Jana K, Dutta A, Chakraborty P, Manna I, Firdaus SB, Bandyopadhyay D, Chattopadhyay R, Chakravarty B. Alpha-lipoic acid andN-acetylcysteine protects intensive swimming exercise-mediated germ-cell depletion, pro-oxidant generation, and alteration of steroidogenesis in rat testis. Mol Reprod Dev 2014; 81:833-50. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kuladip Jana
- Division of Molecular Medicine; Bose Institute; Calcutta Improvement Trust Scheme VIIM; Kolkata India
| | - Ananya Dutta
- Division of Molecular Medicine; Bose Institute; Calcutta Improvement Trust Scheme VIIM; Kolkata India
| | | | - Indranil Manna
- Department of Physiology; Midnapore College; Midnapore India
| | - Syed Benazir Firdaus
- Department of Physiology; Oxidative Stress and Free Radical Biology Laboratory; University of Calcutta; Kolkata India
| | - Debasish Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Physiology; Oxidative Stress and Free Radical Biology Laboratory; University of Calcutta; Kolkata India
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Oksay T, Nazıroğlu M, Ergün O, Doğan S, Özatik O, Armağan A, Özorak A, Çelik Ö. N-acetyl cysteine attenuates diazinon exposure-induced oxidative stress in rat testis. Andrologia 2012; 45:171-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2012.01329.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- T. Oksay
- Department of Urology; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - M. Nazıroğlu
- Department of Biophysics; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - O. Ergün
- Department of Urology; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - S. Doğan
- Department of Biophysics; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - O. Özatik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - A. Armağan
- Department of Urology; School of Medicine; Bezmialem Vakif University; Istanbul; Turkey
| | - A. Özorak
- Department of Urology; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
| | - Ö. Çelik
- Department of Biophysics; Faculty of Medicine; Suleyman Demirel University; Isparta; Turkey
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N-acetyl-l-cysteine modulates multiple signaling pathways to rescue male germ cells from apoptosis induced by chronic hCG administration to rats. Apoptosis 2012; 17:551-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s10495-012-0703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Aggarwal A, Misro MM, Maheshwari A, Sehgal N. Differential modulation of apoptotic gene expression by N-acetyl-L-cysteine in Leydig cells stimulated persistently with hCG in vivo. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 348:155-64. [PMID: 21856376 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2011] [Revised: 08/01/2011] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of NAC (150 mg/kg bw twice/week) action in vivo under repeated hCG (100 IU/rat/day) stimulation to adult rats. Leydig cell refractoriness led to a significant decline in serum testosterone and intracellular cAMP by day 30 of chronic hCG intervention which improved significantly following NAC co-administration. It inhibited the rise in lipid peroxidation, improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes along with intracellular glutathione and total antioxidant capacity in the target cells. Leydig cell apoptosis declined significantly (P<0.001) with down-regulation of upstream, Fas, FasL, caspase-8, Bax and caspase-9, JNK/pJNK and downstream caspase-3 and PARP. On the other hand, anti-apoptotic Bcl2, NF-kβ, and Akt were up-regulated. Taken together, the above findings indicate that the specificity of NAC action was not restricted to regulating marker proteins in the extrinsic and JNK pathways as seen in vitro but extended to include intrinsic pathway of metazoan apoptosis as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Aggarwal
- Department of Reproductive Biomedicine, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gang Nath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi 110067, India
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