The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of (NAC) on testicular hypoxia caused by varicocele, focusing specifically on the regulation of genes related to apoptosis and oxidative stress in the testes of mature Wistar rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: Control (Sham), hypoxia, testicular hypoxia treated with NAC (Hypoxia + NAC), and healthy animals treated with NAC. After the 8-week treatment period, testicular histopathology and the levels of oxidative stress markers-superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA)-in serum were examined. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA was analyzed using immunocytochemistry and RT-qPCR assays, while the apoptosis rate was determined using the TUNEL method. Histopathological evaluations showed that parameters such as Johnsen's score, epithelium width, and seminiferous tubule diameter indicated significant improvement in the Hypoxia + NAC group compared to the Hypoxia group. NAC administration resulted in elevated serum levels of GPx and SOD, accompanied by a reduction in MDA levels (p < 0.003). Furthermore, the study revealed that NAC decreased Bax expression and enhanced Bcl-2 gene and protein expression compared to the varicocele group (p < 0.05). Additionally, NAC administration significantly decreased the rate of apoptosis in germ cells (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that NAC administration can mitigate testicular damage induced by hypoxia from varicocele in rats, primarily due to its antioxidant properties.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40097 | DOI Listing |
Heliyon
November 2024
Department of Anatomical sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
Andrology
December 2024
Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CIIPOP)/CI-IPOP@RISE (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal.
Background: Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common solid malignancies in young men, with increasing incidence worldwide. Broadly classified into seminomas and non-seminomas, they exhibit distinct biological behaviors and responses to treatment. Although metabolic reprogramming is an acknowledged cancer hallmark, metabolic pathways in testicular germ cell tumors remain poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Pediatr
November 2024
Department of Ultrasound, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Aim: To evaluate the capability of strain elastography (SE) in assessing the degree of testicular injury after torsion.
Material And Methods: In total, 50 rabbits were divided into four groups according to different degrees of testicular torsion (TT) at 0°, 180°, 360°, and 720°. For each animal, according to the tissue stiffness distribution, an SE score and strain ratio (SR) were obtained.
Cell Stress Chaperones
December 2024
Unit for Reproductive Medicine - Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany. Electronic address:
Sci Rep
November 2024
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 1524, 3o Floor, Room 319, Butanta, SP, 05508000, Brazil.
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