Mast cells and ethanol consumption: interactions in the prostate, epididymis and testis of UChB rats

Mast-cell-specific receptor mediates alcohol-withdrawal-associated headache in male mice

Rehabilitation from alcohol addiction or abuse is hampered by withdrawal symptoms including severe headaches, which often lead to rehabilitation failure. There is no appropriate therapeutic option available for alcohol-withdrawal-induced headaches. Here, we show the role of the mast-cell-specific receptor MrgprB2 in the development of alcohol-withdrawal-induced headache. Withdrawing alcohol from alcohol-acclimated mice induces headache behaviors, including facial allodynia, facial pain expressions, and reduced movement, which are symptoms often observed in humans. Those behaviors were absent in MrgprB2-deficient mice during alcohol withdrawal. We observed in vivo spontaneous activation and hypersensitization of trigeminal ganglia (TG) neurons in alcohol-withdrawal WT mice, but not in alcohol-withdrawal MrgprB2-deficient mice. Increased mast cell degranulation by alcohol withdrawal in dura mater was dependent on the presence of MrgprB2. The results indicate that alcohol withdrawal causes headache via MrgprB2 of mast cells in dura mater, suggesting that MrgprB2 is a potential target for treating alcohol-withdrawal-related headaches.

How Food Choices Impact on Male Fertility

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Increasing evidence on the significance of nutrition in reproduction is emerging from both animal and human studies, suggesting an association between nutrition and male fertility. Here, we have highlighted the impact of the various food groups on reproductive hormones and on spermatogenesis, and the effects of classical and latest dietary patterns such as Mediterranean diet, Western diet, intermittent fasting, ketogenic diet, and vegan/vegetarian diet on male fertility.

RECENT FINDINGS

Nutrients are the precursors of molecules involved in various body's reactions; therefore, their balance is essential to ensure the correct regulation of different systems including the endocrine system. Hormones are strongly influenced by the nutritional status of the individual, and their alteration can lead to dysfunctions or diseases like infertility. In addition, nutrients affect sperm production and spermatogenesis, controlling sexual development, and maintaining secondary sexual characteristics and behaviors. The consumption of fruit, vegetables, fish, processed meats, dairy products, sugars, alcohol, and caffeine importantly impact on male fertility. Among dietary patterns, the Mediterranean diet and the Western diet are most strongly associated with the quality of semen. Nutrients, dietary patterns, and hormonal levels have an impact on male infertility. Therefore, understanding how these factors interact with each other is important for strategies to improve male fertility.

Long exposure to a mixture of endocrine disruptors prediposes the ventral prostate of rats to preneoplastic lesions

Endocrine disruptors (ED) are compounds dispersed in the environment that modify hormone biosynthesis, affecting hormone-dependent organs such as the prostate. Studies have only focused on evaluating the effects of ED alone or in small groups and short intervals and have not adequately portrayed human exposure. Therefore, we characterized the prostate histoarchitecture of rats exposed to an ED mixture (ED Mix) mimicking human exposure. Pregnant females of the Sprague-Dawley strain were randomly distributed into two experimental groups: Control group (vehicle: corn oil, by gavage) and ED Mix group: received 32.11 mg/kg/day of the ED mixture diluted in corn oil (2 ml/kg), by gavage, from gestational day 7 (DG7) to post-natal day 21 (DPN21). After weaning at DPN22, the male pups continued to receive the complete DE mixture until they were 220 days old when they were euthanized. The ED Mix decreased the epithelial compartment, increased the fractal dimension, and decreased glandular dilation. In addition, low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia was observed in addition to regions of epithelial atrophy in the group exposed to the ED Mix. Exposure to the mixture decreased both types I and III collagen area in the stroma. We concluded that the ED Mix was able to cause alterations in the prostatic histoarchitecture and induce the appearance of preneoplastic lesions.

Effects of histamine on the contractility of the rat distal cauda epididymis

The motor activity of the epididymis duct is an essential process for male fertility and it is regulated by hormonal, neuronal and epithelial mechanisms. However, although there is evidence for the presence of histamine in the epididymis, its effects on epididymal motor activity are unknown. This study sought to evaluate the contractile effects of histamine on the rat distal cauda epididymis duct. Segments of the distal cauda epididymis duct from male Wistar rats were isolated and used in isolated organ bath experiments to evaluate the contractile effects of histamine in the absence or presence of antagonists of histamine receptors, α₁-adrenoceptors and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The effects of histamine on noradrenaline induced contractions were also investigated. Histamine was able to induce phasic contractions on rat distal cauda epididymis duct which were prevented by promethazine 10-1000 nM (H₁ receptor antagonist), ranitidine 1-100 μM (H₂ receptor antagonist), atropine 100 nM (muscarinic antagonist), and prazosin 100 nM (α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist). In addition, histamine was also able to modify noradrenaline-induced contractions possibly via activation of H₁ and H₂ receptors. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that histamine can induce phasic contractions of rat distal cauda epididymis via H₂ receptors and autonomic neurotransmitters. Histamine may also exert modulatory actions on contractions of rat distal cauda epididymis duct induced by adrenergic receptor agonists. Further studies are necessary to unveil the localization of histamine receptors within the epididymal duct and the consequences of manipulation of the histaminergic system on epididymal function and male fertility.

The effect of long-term alcohol intoxication on the morphological structures and enzymatic activity of rat salivary glands

BACKGROUND

To study changes in the morphological structures and enzymatic activity of the submandibular salivary gland (SMG) and parotid salivary gland (PG) in rats after prolonged alcohol intoxication.

METHODS

Sexually mature male Wistar rats consumed 20% ethanol (6.9 g/kg/day) for 180 consecutive days. The PG and SMG were collected for morphometric and histochemical analyses (nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.05).

RESULTS

After exposure to ethanol for 180 days, the PG showed a change in the shape of the acini and the secretory cells that formed them, uneven expansion of the interlobular excretory ducts, and moderate fatty infiltration in the stroma. After exposure to ethanol for 180 days, the SMG showed fatty infiltration and stromal edema, and changes in acinar cells, intercalated ducts, and striated ducts. There was a significant decrease in the relative and absolute weight of the SMG. The number of mast cells in the PG and SMG and their degranulation index increased 2-fold after exposure to ethanol. All mast cells were highly active. After ethanol exposure, the activity of alkaline phosphatase increased significantly in the myoepithelial cells of the SMG and PG; the activity of NADPH oxidase increased only in the acini SMG, and the activity of succinate dehydrogenase remained at the control level in the acini of both glands. In the ducts of these glands, the activity of other enzymes did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in the morphological structures, morphometric parameters, and enzymatic activity of the rat salivary glands after 180 days of ethanol intoxication are shown for the first time. The most pronounced changes were found in the SMG.

Mast Cells in the Mammalian Testis and Epididymis-Animal Models and Detection Methods

Mast cells (MCs) are an evolutionary well-conserved type of cells, mediating and modulating allergic responses in innate immunity and tissue remodeling after chronic inflammation. Among other tissues, they inhabit both the testis and epididymis. In the testis, MCs usually appear in the interstitial compartment in humans, but not in other standard experimental models, like rats and mice. MCs seem to be responsible for testicular tissue fibrosis in different causes of infertility. Although experimental animal models follow the effect on MC activation or penetration to the interstitial tissue like in humans to some extent, there is an inconsistency in the available literature regarding experimental design, animal strain, and detection methods used. This comprehensive review offers an insight into the literature on MCs in mammalian testes and epididymides. We aimed to find the most suitable model for research on MC and offer recommendations for future experimental designs. When using in vivo animal models, tunica albuginea incorporation and standard histological assessment need to be included. Domesticated boar strains kept in modified controlled conditions exhibit the highest similarity to the MC distribution in the human testis. 3D testicular models are promising but need further fine-tuning to become a valid model for MC investigation.

Exposure to aluminium chloride during the peripuberal period induces prostate damage in male rats

Aluminium (Al) is an important metal, but it can be toxic including for prostate tissue. This study aimed to evaluate whether exposure to aluminium chloride (AlCl3) during the peripubertal period affects ventral prostate development in rats. Male Wistar rats (30 days old) were distributed into three experimental groups: control (sterile 0.9% saline solution), AL7 (7 mg AlCl3/kg) and AL34 (34 mg AlCl3/kg). Animals were treated intraperitoneally from postnatal day (PND) 36-66 (peripubertal period). At PND67, the animals were anaesthetized and euthanized. Blood was collected for testosterone levels. The ventral prostate (VP) was removed, weighed and processed for histochemistry and immunohistochemistry to detect androgen (AR) and Ki67. Stereological and histopathological analyses, mast cell counts, and determinations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and N-acetyl glycosidase (NAG) activity and IL-6 levels were performed. The AL34 group presented a reduction in body weight and increase in MPO activity compared to the other groups. In both the AL7 and AL34 groups, there was reorganization of the prostatic tissue compartments. There was no significant difference in prostate weight, number of granulated or degranulated mast cells, or testosterone levels. In conclusion, the exposure to aluminium chloride during the peripubertal period impairs the prostatic development.

Does the lifestyle of patients with psoriasis affect their illness?

Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic, incurable inflammatory skin diseases, affecting 2–4% of the general population. Etiopathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. It is widely considered to be a multifactorial disorder caused by the interaction between inherited susceptibility alleles and environmental risk factors, such as lifestyle, diet, stimulants, foci of inflammation, and psychological factors. The widespread prevalence of psoriasis is a very significant health and socioeconomic problem. Treatment of psoriasis is based on relieving the acute symptoms of the disease. Despite the implementation of many therapeutic options, including biological treatment, effectiveness of these options is not always sufficient, or in some patients it is not satisfactory. In order to properly control the symptoms of the disease, the patient should be told that the therapeutic effect is achieved not only by pharmacotherapy but also by introducing appropriate healthy habits in everyday life. This article discusses the importance of patient-controlled factors that affect the severity of psoriasis. Theimportance of regular exercise, smoking avoidance, and reduced alcohol consumption is explained, as well as the importance for psoriasis treatment of psychotherapy and spa therapy. Understanding the essence of these factors in the treatment of psoriasis is important in achieving satisfactory therapeutic effects.

Strength training protects against prostate injury in alcoholic rats

Alcoholic injury can alter the hormonal signaling pathway and lead to glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. In this study, we investigated whether the strength training could exert protective effects against the alterations caused by ethanol consumption on prostatic metabolism. A UChB, ethanol-preferring rats were used in this study. Strength training was conducted for 3 days per week for 13 weeks, rats performed jumps in water carrying a weight load strapped to their chests as part of a strength training protocol. The reduced alcohol consumption by strength training was accompanied by increased glucose, serum lipid profile, total protein levels, and reduced hormonal levels. The results of protein expression of prostatic tissues in the ethanol- and strength training-treated groups indicated that "steroidal hormone receptors," "fatty acid translocation," and "cell regulation" were significantly different between ethanol- and strength training-treated groups. Taken together, these findings show that strength training effectively ameliorated prostatic injuries in alcoholic rats at least partially by acting on lipids receptors and steroidal hormone receptors pathway, suggesting the strength training as a potential novel therapeutic strategy for treating prostate injuries caused by ethanol.

Psoriasis and alcohol

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that may be triggered or worsened by several factors, including alcohol. A higher than average alcohol consumption is common among individuals with psoriasis. Neurobiological signaling affected by alcohol intake includes a range of neurotransmitters, such as the dopaminergic, serotonergic, and tachykinergic systems, involved in reward and drug-seeking. These neurotransmitters may also have an impact on the inflammatory processes per se in psoriasis. Future therapy may, therefore, be targeted at neurotransmitter networks involved with both alcohol intake and the inflammatory processes.

Of vessels and cells: the spatial organization of the epididymal immune system

BACKGROUND

One third of infertility cases in couples worldwide has an exclusive male origin and immune disorders, essentially due to repetitive infections, are emerging an cause of male infertility. As the place of sperm maturation, epididymis must be preserved from excessive immune responses that may arise following infections of the male genital tract. At the same time, epididymis must set and maintain a tolerogenic environment in order not to destroy sperm cells that enter the tissue at puberty, long after the immune system has been taught to recognize self pathogens. The immune cells that populate the epididymis have raised growing interest over the last thirty years but they may be not sufficient to understand the immune balance existing in this organ, between immune response to pathogens and tolerance to spermatozoa. Indeed, immune cells are the most motile cells in the organism and need blood and lymphatic vessels to traffic between lymphoid organs and sites of infection to induce efficient responses.

OBJECTIVES

To review the literature on the blood and lymphatic vessels, and on the immune cells present at steady state in the rodent epididymis (rat and mouse).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed database was searched for studies reporting on the spatial organization of the rodent epididymal vasculature and immune cell types at steady state. This search was combined with recent findings from our team.

RESULTS

At steady state, the rodent epididymis presents with dense blood and lymphatic networks, and a large panel of immune cells distributed across the interstitum and epithelium along the organ.

CONCLUSIONS

The immune system of the rodent epididymis is highly organized. Exploring its functions, especially in an infectious context, is the essential coming step before any transposition to human.

The emerging role of mast cells in liver disease

The depth of our knowledge regarding mast cells has widened exponentially in the last 20 years. Once thought to be only important for allergy-mediated events, mast cells are now recognized to be important regulators of a number of pathological processes. The revelation that mast cells can influence organs, tissues, and cells has increased interest in mast cell research during liver disease. The purpose of this review is to refresh the reader's knowledge of the development, type, and location of mast cells and to review recent work that demonstrates the role of hepatic mast cells during diseased states. This review focuses primarily on liver diseases and mast cells during autoimmune disease, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and aging in the liver. Overall, these studies demonstrate the potential role of mast cells in disease progression.

Study on the short-term effects of increased alcohol and cigarette consumption in healthy young men's seminal quality

Many studies have reported a negative impact of lifestyle factors on testicular function, spermatozoa parameters and pituitary-gonadal axis. However, conclusions are difficult to draw, since studies in the general population are rare. In this study we intended to address the early and late short-term impact of acute lifestyle alterations on young men’s reproductive function. Thirty-six healthy male students, who attended the Portuguese academic festivities, provided semen samples and answered questionnaires at three time-points. The consumption of alcohol and cigarette increased more than 8 and 2 times, respectively, during the academic festivities and resulted in deleterious effects on semen quality: one week after the festivities, a decrease on semen volume, spermatozoa motility and normal morphology was observed, in parallel with an increase on immotile spermatozoa, head and midpiece defects and spermatozoa oxidative stress. Additionally, three months after the academic festivities, besides the detrimental effect on volume, motility and morphology, a negative impact on spermatozoa concentration was observed, along with a decrease on epididymal, seminal vesicles and prostate function. This study contributed to understanding the pathophysiology underlying semen quality degradation induced by acute lifestyle alterations, suggesting that high alcohol and cigarette consumption are associated with decreased semen quality in healthy young men.

Ethanol exposure during peripubertal period increases the mast cell number and impairs meiotic and spermatic parameters in adult male rats

Puberty is characterized by psychosomatic alterations, whereas chronic ethanol consumption is associated with morphophysiological changes in the male reproductive system. The purpose of this study was to show the toxic effects on testis and epididymal morphophysiology after ethanol administration during peripuberty. To this end, male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: ethanol (E) group: received a 2 g dose of ethanol/kg in 25% (v/v); and control (C) group: received the same volume of filtered water; both were treated by gavage for 54 days. On the 55th day of the experiment, epididymis, and testis were collected for sperm count, histopathology, mast cell count, and morphometry. The vas deferens was collected for sperm motility analysis. The femur and testicle were used for cytogenetic analysis. Ethanol exposure caused reduction in daily sperm production (DSP) and in sperm motility, multinucleated cells or those having no chromosomal content, and late chromosome migrations. No changes were observed in the number of chromosomes in the mitotic analysis. However, some alterations could be seen in meiocytes at different stages of cell division. Stereological analysis of the epididymis indicated reorganization of its component in the 2A and 5A/B regions. The epididymal cauda had greater recruitment, and both degranulated and full mast cells showed an increase in the initial segment, in the ethanol group. In conclusion, ethanol administration during the pubertal phase affects epididymis and testis in adult rats, as indicated mainly by our new findings related to mast cell number and meiotic impact. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:541-549, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Serum concentrations of mast cell tryptase are reduced in heavy drinkers

BACKGROUND

Baseline serum tryptase concentrations are commonly used in clinical practice as a marker of the body's mast cell burden. This study aimed to investigate serum tryptase concentrations in heavy drinkers.

METHODS

Serum tryptase concentrations were determined in 126 heavy drinkers (75% males, median age 47 years) who were admitted to the hospital because of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (n = 60), general symptoms with abnormalities on biochemical tests that indicated acute liver disease (n = 19), complications of advanced liver disease (n = 33), and miscellaneous reasons (n = 14). Results were compared with those of 70 healthy controls (66% males, median age 40 years).

RESULTS

Serum tryptase concentrations were lower in heavy drinkers than in healthy controls (median 2.23 μg/l vs. median 3.25 μg/l, p < 0.001). Ten heavy drinkers (7.9%) had undetectable (<1 μg/l) serum tryptase levels versus none of the healthy controls (p = 0.01). The association of low tryptase levels with heavy drinking was independent of age, gender, and smoking status. Among heavy drinkers, the lowest tryptase concentrations were observed in patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome and patients with general symptoms with abnormalities on biochemical tests that indicated acute liver disease. Furthermore, serum tryptase concentrations were negatively correlated with markers of acute liver damage or alcohol consumption (serum aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase). Atopy (skin prick test positivity) was not associated with serum tryptase concentrations in heavy drinkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum concentrations of mast cell tryptase are lower in heavy drinkers than in healthy controls.

MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression in the prostatic tissue of two ethanol-preferring rat models

We investigated whether chronic ethanol intake is capable of altering the MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and TIMP-2 and TIMP-1 expression in the dorsal and lateral prostatic lobes of low (UChA) and high (UChB) ethanol-preferring rats. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 expression were significantly reduced in the lateral prostatic lobe of the ethanol drinking animals. Dorsal prostatic lobe was less affected showing no significant alterations in these proteins, except for a reduction in the TIMP-1 expression in UChA rats. These important findings demonstrate that chronic ethanol intake impairs the physiological balance of the prostate extracellular matrix turnover, through downregulation of MMPs, which may contribute to the development of prostatic diseases. Furthermore, since these proteins are also components of prostate secretion, the negative impact of chronic ethanol intake on fertility may also involve reduction of MMPs and TIMPs in the seminal fluid.

Alcohol intake measured by phosphatidylethanol in blood and the lifetime drinking history interview are correlated with the extent of psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis has been reported to be associated with alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the level of alcohol intake in individuals with psoriasis and correlate intake with the extent of disease and pruritus.

METHODS

Twenty-nine outpatients (15 females and 14 males) with stable chronic plaque psoriasis of moderate severity were recruited. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the degree of pruritus (visual analogue scale) were compared with measures of drinking habits as determined by the Lifetime Drinking History (LDH), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and whole-blood phosphatidylethanol (PEth), an alcohol-specific biomarker.

RESULTS

The majority of patients were social drinkers with moderate alcohol consumption as determined by PEth and LDH. Alcohol consumption correlated significantly with the PASI score. There was no correlation between alcohol use and pruritus.

CONCLUSION

The level of alcohol consumption is correlated with the extent of psoriasis.

Ethanol-induced mast cell-mediated inflammation leads to increased susceptibility of intestinal tumorigenesis in the APC Δ468 min mouse model of colon cancer

BACKGROUND

Chronic and frequent alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) intake has been associated with an increased incidence of several types of cancers including breast, mouth, throat, esophageal, stomach, and colorectal (CRC). The underlying mechanism of this deleterious carcinogenic effect of alcohol has not been clearly established but inflammation may be 1 unifying feature of these cancers. We have recently shown that intestinal mast cells play a central role in intestinal carcinogenesis. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that mast cell-mediated inflammation is 1 underlying mechanism by which chronic alcohol promotes intestinal tumorigenesis.

METHODS

APC(Δ468) mice were fed either an alcohol-containing Nanji liquid diet or isocaloric dextrose-containing Nanji diet for 10 weeks and then sacrificed to collect small and large intestine samples. Assessments of tumor number and size as well as mast cell number and mast cell activity and histology score for invasion were compared between Control (dextrose-fed) and alcohol-fed APC(∆468) mice. The effect of alcohol on mast cell-mediated tumor migration was also assessed using an in vitro migration assay.

RESULTS

Alcohol feeding increased both polyp number and size within both the small and the large intestines of APC(∆468) mice. Only alcohol-fed mice showed evidence of tumor invasion. Chronic alcohol feeding also resulted in an increased mast cell number and activity in tumor stroma and invading borders. In vitro migration assay showed that alcohol significantly increases mast cell-mediated tumor migration in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data show that chronic alcohol intake promotes: (i) intestinal tumorigenesis and tumor invasion in genetically susceptible mice; (ii) increases in polyp-associated mast cells; and (iii) mast cell-mediated tumor migration in vitro. Both our in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that mast cell-mediated inflammation could be 1 mechanism by which alcohol promotes carcinogenesis.

Chronic ethanol consumption alters all-trans-retinoic acid concentration and expression of their receptors on the prostate: a possible link between alcoholism and prostate damage

BACKGROUND

Ethanol (EtOH) alters the all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) levels in some tissues. Retinol and ATRA are essential for cell proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of prostate homeostasis. It has been suggested that disturbances in retinol/ATRA concentration as well as in the expression of retinoic acid receptors (RARs) contribute to benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. This study aimed to evaluate whether EtOH consumption is able to alter retinol and ATRA levels in the plasma and prostate tissue as well as the expression of RARs, cell proliferation, and apoptosis index.

METHODS

All animals were divided into 4 groups (n = 10/group). UChA: rats fed 10% (v/v) EtOH ad libitum; UChACo: EtOH-naïve rats without access to EtOH; UChB: rats fed 10% (v/v) EtOH ad libitum; UChBCo: EtOH-naïve rats without access to EtOH. Animals were euthanized by decapitation after 60 days of EtOH consumption for high-performance liquid chromatography and light microscopy analysis.

RESULTS

EtOH reduced plasma retinol concentration in both UChA and UChB groups, while the retinol concentration was not significantly different in prostate tissue. Conversely, plasma and prostate ATRA levels increased in UChB group compared with controls, beyond the up-regulation of RARβ and -γ in dorsal prostate lobe. Additionally, no alteration was found in cell proliferation and apoptosis index involving dorsal and lateral prostate lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that EtOH alters the plasma retinol concentrations proportionally to the amount of EtOH consumed. Moreover, high EtOH consumption increases the concentration of ATRA in plasma/prostate tissue and especially induces the RARβ and RARγ in the dorsal prostate lobe. EtOH consumption and increased ATRA levels were not associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis in the prostate.