[Protective effects of inhibition of tissue nitric oxide in the initial stage against tardive injury of testicular spermatogenic function: experiment with rats].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the protective effects of inhibition of tissue nitric oxide in the initial stage against the tardive injury of contralateral testicular spermatogenic function after unilateral testicular torsion.

METHODS:

56 prepubertal Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: placebo group undergoing rotation of left testis 720 degrees clockwise for 4 h, fixing thereof to the scrotum, and then intravenous injection of normal saline; cyclosporine group, undergoing intraperitoneal injection of cyclosporine once daily for 1 month after the testicular rotation and fixation; NG-methyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) group, undergoing intravenous injection of L-NMMA 30 mg/kg 30 min before the testicular rotation; and sham-operation group, undergoing isolation and suture of testis only. The right (untwisted) testes were removed from 7 rats from each group 1 week and 2 months after surgery. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitrous oxide (NO)/nitrogen oxide synthase (NOS) content were evaluated. Histological examination was conducted. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) was assessed. The level of MHC peptide-tetramer complex was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS:

The levels of MDA, NO, NOS, and MHC peptide-tetramer complex of the L-NMMA, placebo, and cyclosporine groups one week after surgery were all significantly higher than those of the sham operation group (all P < 0.05). The levels of MDA, NO, NOS, and MHC peptide-tetramer complex of the L-NMMA group were all significantly lower then those of the placebo group (all P < 0.05). The pathological damage of the contralateral testis in early and late stages in the L-NMMA group was lighter than in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION:

By inhibiting tissue NO production in focal organizations during the early period, L-NMMA reduces the damages inthe testis contralateral to the testis undergoing unilateral torsion.

• Authors: Xiao-kun Lin, Le Qin, Cong-de Chen, Yi-xiang Han, Xiao-ming Chen
• Journal: Zhonghua yi xue za zhi (Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi) Vol. 88 Issue 24 Pg. 1676-8 (Jun 24 2008) ISSN: 0376-2491 [Print] China
• PMID: 19024536 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Enzyme Inhibitors
• omega-N-Methylarginine
• Nitric Oxide
• Malondialdehyde
• Nitric Oxide Synthase

Topics

• Animals
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
• Nitric Oxide (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Seminiferous Tubules (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Spermatic Cord Torsion (metabolism, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• omega-N-Methylarginine (pharmacology)