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Zang Q, Wang S, Qi Y, Zhang L, Huang C, Xiu Y, Zhou C, Luo Y, Jia G, Li S, Zhang Y, Tang Y. Running exercise improves spatial learning and memory ability and enhances angiogenesis in the cerebral cortex via endogenous nitric oxide. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114243. [PMID: 36462674 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The molecular mechanisms by which exercise improves brain function and capillaries in the cerebral cortex are unclear. Exercise can increase the expression of nitric oxide (NO) in the brain, and endogenous NO is thought to exert beneficial effects on proangiogenic factors, antiangiogenic factors and brain function. Therefore, we hypothesized that running exercise might improve brain function and enhance angiogenesis through endogenous NO. METHODS AND RESULTS The following three groups of rats were administered intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections before running exercise each day for 4 weeks: exercise+L-NAME group (i.c.v. L-NAME, an NO synthase blocker, dose: 1 μmol/μl and 5 μl/day; treadmill exercise, 20 min/day), exercise group (i.c.v. normal saline, 5 μl/day; treadmill exercise, 20 min/day), and sham group (i.c.v. normal saline, 5 μl/day; no treadmill exercise). Subsequently, the spatial learning and memory abilities were tested using a Morris water maze, and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the cerebral cortex in each group of rats was measured using a method involving nitric acid reductase and metabolic chemistry. The parameters of the cortical capillaries were quantitatively investigated using an immunohistochemistry technique and stereological methods. The expression levels of proangiogenic factors (VEGF and FGF-2) and an antiangiogenic inhibitor (endostatin) in the cerebral cortex were tested using a Western blot analysis. Running exercise significantly improved the rats' spatial learning and memory abilities and increased NOS activity in the cortex. Running exercise also subsequently improved the expression of proangiogenic factors (VEGF and FGF-2) and the length, volume and surface area of capillaries and reduced the expression of antiangiogenic factors (endostatin) in the cortex. In contrast, the L-NAME treatment attenuated the effects of running exercise. CONCLUSIONS Running exercise regulates proangiogenic factors, antiangiogenic factors and angiogenesis in the cerebral cortex via a partially NO-dependent mechanism, and influencing endogenous NO might potentially affect the exercise-related beneficial effects on cognitive ability and cortical capillaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Zang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Sanrong Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yinqiang Qi
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chunxia Huang
- Department of physiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yun Xiu
- Institute of Life Science, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Chunni Zhou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yanmin Luo
- Department of physiology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Gongwei Jia
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Shuangyu Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, PR China.
| | - Yong Tang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China; Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China.
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Mustafa S, Wei Q, Ennab W, Lv Z, Nazar K, Siyal FA, Rodeni S, Kavita NMX, Shi F. Resveratrol Ameliorates Testicular Histopathology of Mice Exposed to Restraint Stress. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9100743. [PMID: 31569470 PMCID: PMC6827001 DOI: 10.3390/ani9100743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The search for effective medicines is challenging. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin, and its function remains unelucidated. Therefore, we undertook the present study to investigate reproductive disturbances due to restraint stress in mice and whether resveratrol plays an anti-stress role. Our results confirmed that resveratrol plays a potential role in the reduction of stress in mice. Abstract We evaluated immobilization stress and resveratrol supplementation in immature male mice at 30 days of age for 15 consecutive days. Fifty Swiss mice were divided into five groups (10 mice each): Controls, restraint stress (RS), restraint stress + vehicle (RS + V), RS + 2 mg/kg, and RS + 20 mg/kg. We determined results on the basis of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), “Periodic acid-Schiff” staining, and TUNEL assay. The results indicated that immobilization stress significantly decreased body weight, testis weight, and water/food intake compared to the control; while resveratrol ameliorated these effects. The quantitative histologic evaluation of the seminiferous tubule diameter, luminal diameter, area of seminiferous tubules, area of tubule lumen, epithelial height, Leydig cell number, and the width of the tunica albuginea were similarly decreased after exposure to RS. These parameters recovered back to normal in the RS + 2 mg/kg group. The development of spermatogenesis was significantly delayed in the RS, RS + V, and RS + 20 mg groups based upon our evaluation score system. However, we observed no significant differences in the RS + 2 mg group compared with the control group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells also significantly decreased in the RS + 2 mg/kg group. In conclusion, we found that the administration of 2 mg/kg was an effective dose against immobilization stress in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheeraz Mustafa
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Quanwei Wei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Wael Ennab
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Zengpeng Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Korejo Nazar
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Tando Jam 70060, Pakistan.
| | - Farman Ali Siyal
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Tando Jam 70060, Pakistan.
| | - Saif Rodeni
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Ngekure M X Kavita
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
| | - Fangxiong Shi
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China.
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Zhu Q, Ge F, Li X, Deng HS, Xu M, Bu T, Li J, Wang Y, Shan Y, Ge RS, Yao M. Dehydroepiandrosterone Antagonizes Pain Stress-Induced Suppression of Testosterone Production in Male Rats. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:322. [PMID: 29713278 PMCID: PMC5911460 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Leydig cells secrete the steroid hormone, testosterone, which is essential for male fertility and reproductive health. Stress increases the secretion of glucocorticoid [corticosterone, (CORT) in rats] that decreases circulating testosterone levels in part through a direct action on its receptors in Leydig cells. Intratesticular CORT level is dependent on oxidative inactivation of CORT by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1) in rat Leydig cells. Pain may cause the stress, thus affecting testosterone production in Leydig cells. Methods: Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats orally received vehicle control or 5 or 10 mg/kg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) 0.5 h before being subjected to pain stimulation for 1, 3, and 6 h. In the present study, we investigated the time-course changes of steroidogenic gene expression levels after acute pain-induced stress in rats and the possible mechanism of DHEA that prevented it. Plasma CORT, luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) levels were measured, and Leydig cell gene expression levels were determined. The direct regulation of HSD11B1 catalytic direction by DHEA was detected in purified rat Leydig, liver, and rat Hsd11b1-transfected COS1 cells. Results: Plasma CORT levels were significantly increased at hour 1, 3, and 6 during the pain stimulation, while plasma T levels were significantly decreased starting at hour 3 and 6. Pain-induced stress also decreased Star, Hsd3b1, and Cyp17a1 expression levels at hour 3. When 5 and 10 mg/kg DHEA were orally administered to rats 0.5 h before starting pain stimulation, DHEA prevented pain-mediated decrease in plasma T levels and the expression of Star, Hsd3b1, and Cyp17a1 without affecting plasma CORT levels. DHEA was found to modulate HSD11B1 activities by increasing its oxidative activity and decreasing its reductive activity, thus decreasing the intracellular CORT levels in Leydig cells. Conclusion: Stress induced by acute pain can inhibit Leydig cell T production by upregulation of corticosterone. DHEA can prevent the negative effects of excessive corticosterone by modulating HSD11B1 activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqi Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fei Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoheng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hou-Sheng Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Miao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tiao Bu
- General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingyang Li
- Department of Neonatology, Xi'an No.4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shan
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ming Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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Arun S, Burawat J, Sukhorum W, Sampannang A, Uabundit N, Iamsaard S. Changes of testicular phosphorylated proteins in response to restraint stress in male rats. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2016; 17:21-9. [PMID: 26739523 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1500174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate male reproductive parameters via changes of potential testicular protein markers in restraint-stress rats. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups (non-immobilized control and restraint-immobilized/stress groups, n=8 each group). The stress animals were immobilized (12 h/d) by a restraint cage for 7 consecutive days. All reproductive parameters, morphology and histology were observed and compared between groups. In addition, the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) and phosphotyrosine proteins (previously localized in Sertoli and late spermatid cells) in testicular lysate was assayed by immuno-Western blotting. RESULTS Testosterone level, sperm concentration and sperm head normality of stress rats were significantly decreased while the corticosterone level was increased as compared with the control (P<0.05). Histologically, stress rats showed low sperm mass in epididymal lumen and some atrophy of seminiferous tubules. Although the expression of testicular StAR protein was not significantly different between groups, changed patterns of the 131, 95, and 75 kDa testicular phosphorylated proteins were observed in the stress group compared with the control group. The intensity of a testicular 95-kDa phosphorylated protein was significantly decreased in stress rats. CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated the alteration of testicular phosphorylated protein patterns, associated with adverse male reproductive parameters in stress rats. It could be an explanation of some infertility in stress males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supatcharee Arun
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Jaturon Burawat
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Wannisa Sukhorum
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Apichakan Sampannang
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Nongnut Uabundit
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Sitthichai Iamsaard
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.,Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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Lin H, Yuan KM, Zhou HY, Bu T, Su H, Liu S, Zhu Q, Wang Y, Hu Y, Shan Y, Lian QQ, Wu XY, Ge RS. Time-course changes of steroidogenic gene expression and steroidogenesis of rat Leydig cells after acute immobilization stress. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:21028-44. [PMID: 25405735 PMCID: PMC4264210 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151121028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Revised: 10/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leydig cells secrete testosterone, which is essential for male fertility and reproductive health. Stress increases the secretion of glucocorticoid (corticosterone, CORT; in rats), which decreases circulating testosterone levels in part through a direct action by binding to the glucocorticoid receptors (NR3C1) in Leydig cells. The intratesticular CORT level is dependent on oxidative inactivation of glucocorticoid by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1) in Leydig cells. In the present study, we investigated the time-course changes of steroidogenic gene expression levels after acute immobilization stress in rats. The plasma CORT levels were significantly increased 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 h after immobilization stress, while plasma testosterone levels were significantly reduced 3 and 6 h, after stress and luteinizing hormone (LH) did not change. Immobilization stress caused the down-regulation of Scarb1, Star and Cyp17a1 expression levels in the rat testis starting at the first hour of stress, ahead of the significant decreases of plasma testosterone levels. Other mRNA levels, including Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1 and Hsd17b3, began to decline after 3 h. Hsd11b1 and Nos2 mRNA levels did not change during the course of stress. Administration of glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 significantly restored plasma testosterone levels. In conclusion, Scarb1, Star and Cyp17a1 expression levels are more sensitive to acute stress, and acute immobilization stress causes the decline of the steroidogenic pathway via elevating the levels of glucocorticoid, which binds to NR3C1 in Leydig cells to inhibit steroidogenic gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Kai-ming Yuan
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Hong-yu Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology of School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Tiao Bu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Huina Su
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Shiwen Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Qiqi Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Yuanyuan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
| | - Yuanyuan Shan
- Research Academy of Reproductive Biomedicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Qing-quan Lian
- Department of Pharmacology of School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Xiao-yun Wu
- Huzhou Maternity & Child Care Hospital, Huzhou 313000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Ren-shan Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology of the Second Affiliated Hospital.
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Stojkov NJ, Baburski AZ, Bjelic MM, Sokanovic SJ, Mihajlovic AI, Drljaca DM, Janjic MM, Kostic TS, Andric SA. In vivo blockade of α1-adrenergic receptors mitigates stress-disturbed cAMP and cGMP signaling in Leydig cells. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 20:77-88. [PMID: 23894150 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism of stress-associated reproductive dysfunction is complex and largely unknown. This study was designed to systematically analyze molecular effects of systemic in vivo blockade of α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ADRs) on stress-induced disturbance of cAMP/cGMP signaling in testosterone-producing Leydig cells using the following parameters (i) level of circulating stress hormones, LH and testosterone; (ii) level of main molecular markers of Leydig cell functionality (testosterone, Insl3, cAMP); (iii) expression of cAMP signaling (cAMP 'producers'/'effectors'/'removers') and (iv) expression of NO-cGMP signaling (NO-cGMP 'producers'/'effectors'/'removers'). The results showed that oral administration of α1-ADR blocker before stress increased cGMP and diminished stress-reduced cAMP production in Leydig cells. In the same cells, stress-induced effects on cAMP/cGMP signaling pathways elements were changed. Sustained in vivo α1-ADR blockade completely abolished stress-increased transcription of most abundantly expressed phosphodiesterase that remove cAMP (Pde4b) and potentiated stress-increased expression of PRKA, the main stimulator of Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In the same Leydig cells, stress-decreased NOS3 expression was abolished, while stress-increased GUCY1 (cGMP 'producer') and PRKG1 (cGMP 'effector') were potentiated. It is possible that all molecules mentioned could contribute, at least in part, in recovery of Leydig cell testosterone production. Presented data provide new role of α1-ADRs in stress-triggered disturbance of cAMP/cGMP signaling, and new molecular insights into the relationship between stress and mammalian reproduction. Regardless of whether the effects of α1-blocker + stress are direct or indirect, the results are important in terms of human reproductive health and the wide use of α1-ADR antagonists, alone or in combination, to treat post-traumatic stress disorders, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms and potential drugs for prostate cancer prevention/treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa J Stojkov
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling Group, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Dositeja Obradovica Square 2, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia
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Kostic TS, Stojkov NJ, Janjic MM, Andric SA. Structural complexity of the testis and PKG I / StAR interaction regulate the Leydig cell adaptive response to repeated immobilization stress. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 33:717-29. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2009.01018.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Obesity. Current world literature. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2010; 17:293-312. [PMID: 20418721 DOI: 10.1097/med.0b013e328339f31e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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