[Tea polyphenols reduces the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in rats with experimental varicocele].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the effect of tea polyphenols (TP) on the apoptosis of germ cells in rats with experimental varicocele.

METHODS:

Thirty-two adolescent male Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into groups A (sham-operation), B (high-dose TP), C (low-dose TP), and D (experimental left varicocele). Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the latter three groups of rats. The animals in groups A and D were fed with normal saline, while those in B and C with TP at 40 and 10 mg per kg per d, respectively, all for 4 weeks. Then, all the rats were sacrificed and the left testes harvested for determination of the expression of HIF-1, Bcl-2, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 by immunohistochemistry and measurement of the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells.

RESULTS:

The expression of Bcl-2 was higher in groups B and C than in D but lower than in A (P < 0.05), and lower in C than in B (P < 0.05). However, the expressions of HIF-1, Bax, CytC, and caspase-3 were lower in groups B and C than in D but higher than in A (P < 0.05), and higher in C than in B (P < 0.05). The AI of spermatogenic cells was the lowest in group A, higher in D than in the other groups but lower in B than in C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION:

TP can reduce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in a dose-dependent manner in varicocele rats.

• Authors: Zheng-hua Wu, Xin-wen Ke, Shao-yong Feng, Li Zhang, Jin-feng Wu, Wei Cheng, Jian-jun Cheng, Jian-dong Zhang, Yan-gang Zhang
• Journal: Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology (Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 702-7 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 1009-3591 [Print] China
• PMID: 26442296 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Bax protein, mouse
• Hif1a protein, mouse
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
• Polyphenols
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Tea
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein
• Cytochromes c
• Caspase 3

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspase 3
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit (metabolism)
• Ligation
• Male
• Polyphenols (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Random Allocation
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Renal Veins
• Spermatozoa (drug effects)
• Tea (chemistry)
• Testis (metabolism)
• Varicocele (complications, metabolism)
• bcl-2-Associated X Protein (metabolism)