Alpha-solanine inhibits cell proliferation via mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibin synthesis in mouse testis In vitro and In vivo

Sertoli and Leydig cells provide key supporting roles in spermatogenesis. Various toxins have been studied in the TM3 and TM4 mouse testis cell lines to identify their regulatory effects. Alpha-solanine (α-solanine), a toxic compound found in the potato, has cytotoxic effects on various cells, including cancer cells. However, the effect of α-solanine on testis function has not been identified. In this study, we verified for the first time the anti-proliferative effect of α-solanine in mouse testes. α-Solanine reduced cell viability in TM3 and TM4 cells and reduced the expression of the cell cycle checkpoint genes Ccnd1 and Ccne1. We also detected changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and in the cytosolic calcium and intracellular signal pathways in both cell lines. α-Solanine induced AKT, P70S6K, S6, ERK1/2, and JNK activation in mouse testis cells. In addition, the inhibition of AKT with a pharmacological inhibitor (LY294002) demonstrated more synergic anti-proliferative effects than in the TM3 and TM4 cell lines treated only with α-solanine. Inha and Inhba mRNA expression also decreased in both cell lines and α-solanine i.p. injected mouse testes. Collectively, the results from this study verify the toxic effects of α-solanine on testes and male reproductive function.

Ferroptosis is associated with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced Sertoli cell death

Sertoli cell death contributes to spermatogenesis impairment, which is associated with male infertility. Testicular ischemia‑reperfusion (I/R) injury induces the cell death of germ cells and Sertoli cells, whereas inhibition of cell death ameliorates acute testicular I/R damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of I/R stress-induced cell death in TM4 cells. Oxygen‑glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) was demonstrated to induce I/R injury and cell death in TM4 cells. Cell death was blocked by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N‑acetylcysteine, as well as lipid peroxidation inhibitors Liproxstatin‑1 and iron chelator deferoxamine; however, inhibitors of apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy had no effect. It was also demonstrated that iron and lipid ROS levels were elevated in I/R injury and that mitochondria decreased in size and increased in membrane density, which is indicative of ferroptosis. Furthermore, the generation of lipid ROS suggests iron accumulation and glutathione (GSH) depletion. The expression of ferroportin (Fpn) protein and mRNA was decreased in TM4 cells. Notably, overexpression of Fpn inhibited ferroptosis, lipid ROS generation and iron accumulation. In addition, GSH‑dependent peroxidase 4 (GPX4) was inactivated via GSH depletion following I/R injury, whereas GPX4 activation blocked I/R‑induced ferroptosis by reducing lipid ROS levels. The mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was also investigated in the present study; it was observed that I/R‑induced ferroptosis was blocked by inhibiting p38 MAPK activation. The results of the present study demonstrate that ferroptosis is a pervasive and dynamic type of cell death induced by OGD/R injury in Sertoli cells. This may provide a novel insight into the application of cytoprotection in testicular I/R damage‑induced cell loss.

Does intraperitoneal injection of propofol prior to detorsion improve testes weight and histopathological findings in a rat model?

Objectives

To determine the long-term preventive effects of intraperitoneal propofol on testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat model.

Materials and methods

Forty adult male albino Wistar rats were divided randomly into the following four groups according to the planned treatment (n=10 per group): group I, control; group II, sham-operated; group III, torsion/detorsion (T/D); and group IV, T/D plus propofol. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° clockwise (ie, applying torsion) for 1 h. In the T/D plus propofol group (group IV), 50 mg/kg propofol was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before detorsion. Ipsilateral orchiectomy was performed under general anesthesia to determine the mean testicular weight and to enable histopathological examination of the testes using Johnsen’s mean testicular biopsy score 30 days after the surgical procedure in all groups.

Results

The testicular weights in groups I, II, III, and IV were 1.65±0.32, 1.59±0.33, 1.11±0.56, and 1.08±0.50 g (mean ± SD), respectively. Testicular weight was significantly lower in the T/D groups (III and IV) than in both the control and sham-operated groups (I and II), but there was no improvement in testicular weight as a result of propofol administration. Similarly, Johnsen’s mean testicular biopsy score was lower in groups III and IV than in groups I and II, but no positive effect was conferred by the administration of propofol in group IV.

Conclusion

The use of propofol in the treatment of testicular ischemia–reperfusion injury caused by testis torsion has no significant long-term therapeutic potential.

The calcium-sensing receptor participates in testicular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Male infertility caused by testicular damage is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in testicular tissues and plays a pivotal role in calcium homeostasis by activating cellular signaling pathways, but its role in testicular damage induced by diabetes remains unclear. A diabetic model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg kg⁻¹) in Wistar rats. Animals then received GdCl₃ (an agonist of CaSR, 8.67 mg kg⁻¹), NPS-2390 (an antagonist of CaSR, 0.20 g kg⁻¹), or a combination of both 2 months after STZ injection. Diabetic rats had significantly lower testes weights and serum levels of testosterone compared to healthy rats, indicating testicular damage and dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Compared with healthy controls, the testicular tissues of diabetic rats overexpressed the CaSR protein and had higher levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and higher numbers of apoptotic germ cells. The testicular tissues from diabetic rats also expressed lower levels of Bcl-2 and higher levels of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 in addition to higher phosphorylation rates of c-Jun NH₂-terminal protein kinase (JNK), p38, and extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. The above parameters could be further increased or aggravated by the administration of GdCl₃, but could be attenuated by injection of NPS-2390. In conclusion, the present results indicate that CaSR activation participates in diabetes-induced testicular damage, implying CaSR may be a potential target for protective strategies against diabetes-induced testicular damage and could help to prevent infertility in diabetic men.

The tACE/Angiotensin (1-7)/Mas Axis Protects Against Testicular Ischemia Reperfusion Injury

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether exogenous angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) administration can protect against the damaging consequences of testicular ischemia reperfusion (tIR) injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally among the following 3 groups: sham, unilateral tIR injury (1 hour of ischemic treatment and 4 hours of reperfusion), and tIR + Ang-(1-7) (0.3 mg/kg). Testicular tissues obtained from the rats were evaluated for the expression of testicular angiotensin-converting enzyme (tACE), Ang-(1-7), and the Ang-(1-7)-specific receptor Mas by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reduced spermatogenesis, induction of the caspase-8 pathway, and nitric oxide (NO) generation were assessed. The effects of tIR and Ang-(1-7) treatment on the PI3K/Akt antiapoptosis pathway were also investigated.

RESULTS

Testicular morphological changes and reduced spermatogenesis associated with decreased expression of the tACE/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis were observed during tIR. These effects were also accompanied by increased activity of caspase-3 and -8, downregulation of the survivin and BAD transcripts, and decreased NO formation. During tIR, PTEN expression was increased, leading to inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Acute treatment with Ang-(1-7) prior to reperfusion attenuated the tIR-induced damage described above.

CONCLUSION

Expression of the tACE/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis was downregulated during tIR. Administration of exogenous Ang-(1-7) prior to reperfusion rescued tACE and Mas expression and protected against germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. Increased NO generation and activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway may have partially contributed to these effects. The tACE/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis likely plays a role in the maintenance of normal testis physiology and spermatogenesis.

Anti-inflammatory effects of kolaviron modulate the expressions of inflammatory marker genes, inhibit transcription factors ERK1/2, p-JNK, NF-κB, and activate Akt expressions in the 93RS2 Sertoli cell lines

The anti-inflammatory effects of kolaviron (Kol-v) have been demonstrated in several experimental models. The ability of Kol-v to modulate the expressions of inflammatory genes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Sertoli cell line, 93RS2 was investigated in this study. Kol-v decreased the expressions of inflammatory genes TNF-α, Tlr-4, and Nfκb1 and has synergistic effect on LPS-induced COX-2 and iNOS expressions at high concentrations (25-100 μM). At lower concentrations (5-15 µM), the expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1α were down-regulated by Kol-v except Tgfβ1 that was up-regulated. The LPS-induced decrease in the expression of the anti-inflammatory genes IL-3, IL-4, and IL-10 was blocked by Kol-v at all concentrations of Kol-v tested. The LPS-induced phosphorylations of mitogen-activated protein kinase family members (ERK1/2, and p-JNK), decreased IκBα expression, and decreased Akt phosphorylation was blocked by Kol-v. Our results highlight the potential for Kol-v at lower concentration to ameliorate cellular damage caused by local inflammation.

The protective effect of Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) on testicular torsion/detorsion: an experimental study in mice

PURPOSE

To evaluate the expression of Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in torsion/detorsion of the testes in different phases and demonstrate the protective effect of CIRP on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion (T/D) in an experimental mouse model.

METHODS

Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided randomly into 8 groups: normal control group (N), sham-operated group (S), torsion 2 h group (T2h), torsion/detorsion 12 h group (T/D12h), and T/D24h, T/D48h, T/D72h, and T/D96h groups. The testes were examined for the expression levels of CIRP. Another 32 male BALB/c mice were divided randomly in to 4 groups: normal control group (N), T/D group, T/D+pcDNA3.1 group, and T/D + pcDNA3.1-CIRP group. The plasmids were transfected into testes with in vivo-jetPEI. After 3 days, morphological changes, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), and the number of the germ cell layers were observed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and Bcl-2/Bax ratios were studied in the different groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the N and S groups, the expression of CIRP in the T2h group was down-regulated. In T/D groups, the levels of CIRP were reduced in a time dependent manner. Compared to T/D and T/D+pcDNA3.1 group, the MSTD, number of the germ cell layers, SOD activity, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased in T/D + pcDNA3.1-CIRP group, while the level of MDA decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study have shown that down-regulated CIRP is involved in testicular injury after testicular torsion/detorsion. Up-regulation of the expression of CIRP may reduce the damage caused by torsion/detorsion, possibly by preventing germ cell oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Improvement of andropause symptoms by dandelion and rooibos extract complex CRS-10 in aging male

Many aging male suffer various andropause symptoms including loss of physical and mental activities. This study evaluated the putative alleviative effects of CRS-10 dandelion and rooibos extract complex (CRS-10) on the symptoms of andropause. The survival rate of TM3 Leydig cells (TM3 cells) treated with CRS-10 was measured based on typical physiological stress. After daily intake of CRS-10 for 4 weeks, the level of testosterone, physical activity and both the number and activity of sperm in older rats (18 weeks) were measured. Furthermore, thirty males were surveyed with AMS (Aging Males' Symptoms) questionnaire after intake of 400 mg of CRS-10. Overall, CRS-10 protected TM3 cells from serum restriction and oxidative stress via activation of ERK and Akt pathways. The level of testosterone and activation of spermatogenesis in rats were significantly enhanced. In addition, physical locomotion was markedly improved. Daily intake of 400 mg of CRS-10 improved the quality of life among agingmale respondents, according to a clinical survey using the AMS. The results indicate the potential of CRS-10 as a safe and efficacious natural substance for reducing or alleviating andropause symptoms.

Does propofol prevent testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury due to torsion in the long term?

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to investigate the long-term preventive effect of propofol on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.

METHODS

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 for each group), control, sham-operated, torsion/detorsion (T/D) and T/D + propofol. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° clockwise for 2 h. Half an hour before detorsion, 50 mg/kg propofol was given intraperitoneally to the T/D + propofol group. Ipsilateral orchiectomies to determine mean testicular weights and histopathological examination according to Johnsen's mean testicular biopsy score criteria were performed 30 days after surgical procedure in all groups.

RESULTS

Mean testicular weights were 1.57 ± 0.12 g in group I, 1.59 ± 0.36 g in group II, 0.84 ± 0.20 g in group III and 0.87 ± 0.29 g in group IV. Mean testicular weights decreased significantly in the T/D groups, but no improvement in testicular weight was observed with propofol administration (p 0.9372). Similarly, the Johnsen's mean testicular biopsy scores of the T/D groups were lower than those of the control and sham-operated groups, but no positive effect was determined with the administration of propofol in the T/D groups (p 0.1797).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that there is no apparent long-term therapeutic potential attendant on using propofol in the treatment of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by testis torsion.

Montelukast protects against testes ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

INTRODUCTION

In this study, we investigate the effect of montelukast on histologic damage induced by testicular torsion-detorsion in rats.

METHODS

Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into 3 groups, each containing 7 rats. A sham operation was performed in group 1 (control). In group 2 (ischemia-reperfusion [IR]/untreated), 1-hour detorsion of the testis was performed after 6 hours of unilateral testicular torsion. In group 3 (I-R/dextroamphetamine), after performing the same surgical procedures as in group 2, montelukast was given intraperitoneally. In all experimental rats, ipsilateral orchiectomies were performed for histological examination and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione and myeloperoxidase assays.

RESULTS

Montelukast treatment significantly decreased the I-R-induced elevation in testes tissue MDA and glutathione levels were found to be preserved. The level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was significantly increased in the testes tissue of the IR/untreated group. However, in I-R/montelukast treatment group significantly decreased testes tissue MPO level. Histopathologically, the in the group 2 rats, edema, congestion, hemorrhage between seminiferous tubules and necrosis of the germinal cells were predominant features in sections. However, most of the specimens in the montelukast treated group 3 showed grades-I and II injury. Additionally, the testicular injury score was lower in group 3 rats compared with group 2.

CONCLUSION

The current findings demonstrate that the montelukast decreased the severity of testicular injury by reversing the oxidative effects of testes I-R.

Spermiation: The process of sperm release

Spermiation is the process by which mature spermatids are released from Sertoli cells into the seminiferous tubule lumen prior to their passage to the epididymis. It takes place over several days at the apical edge of the seminiferous epithelium, and involves several discrete steps including remodelling of the spermatid head and cytoplasm, removal of specialized adhesion structures and the final disengagement of the spermatid from the Sertoli cell. Spermiation is accomplished by the co-ordinated interactions of various structures, cellular processes and adhesion complexes which make up the "spermiation machinery". This review addresses the morphological, ultrastructural and functional aspects of mammalian spermiation. The molecular composition of the spermiation machinery, its dynamic changes and regulatory factors are examined. The causes of spermiation failure and their impact on sperm morphology and function are assessed in an effort to understand how this process may contribute to sperm count suppression during contraception and to phenotypes of male infertility.

Long term testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis: involvement of survivin down-regulation

Testicular torsion is associated with damage to the testicular tissue as a result of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and induction of apoptosis leading to progressive damage to spermatogenesis. Survivin is suggested to be an important regulator in the control of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, although its role in torsion-induced IRI is unknown. Therefore, we sought to evaluate testicular survivin expression after long term IRI induced by testicular torsion. Survivin expression was measured by real-time PCR in 6-12 month old New Zealand white rabbits divided into three groups (4 animals/group): group (A) sham control, group (B) ischemia alone for 60 min and group (C) ischemia for 60 min followed by reperfusion for 6 months. Germ cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and DNA fragmentation. The Johnsen score was used to assess testicular morphological damage, while lipid peroxidation was used as an indicator for oxidative stress. Survivin expression was detected in all testicular tissue samples. The rate of survivin expression after IRI was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with ischemic only and sham control testes. Its expression in IRI samples was inversely correlated with the significant increase (p<0.05) in apoptosis, oxidative levels and spermatogenic damage. In conclusion, down-regulation of testicular survivin expression after long term IRI to the testis and its association with apoptosis induction suggests its involvement in the regulation of this apoptotic pathway. These findings also identify survivin as a potential new target for the prevention of germ cell death during testicular torsion.