[Protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on germ cell apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the protective effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid.


METHODS
Immature rats (22 day-old Sprague Dawley) were subjected to unilateral cryptorchid. Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (testes still in the scrotum after operation); operation group; operation + L-NAME group(given L-NAME 10 mg/kg after operation, dip). Seven days after operation germ cell apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated-dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, NOS) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination.


RESULTS
At the 7th day after the operation, compared with the control, the number of apoptotic germ cells in the cryptorchid testis was increased significantly, but the testis weight was decreased predominantly(P < 0.01). The levels of NO and NOS in the cryptorchid were significantly higher than the control.


CONCLUSIONS
The levels of NO and NOS might be involved in the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid; L-NAME could protect the germ cell from apoptosis in experimentally cryptorchid rats by reducing the activity of NOS and reducing the level of NO in the testis.
Gao
Xiao-Kang
XK
Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China. gaoxkmn@fmmu.edu.cn
Yang
Bo
B
Wang
He
H
Shao
Chen
C
Liu
He-Liang
HL
Shao
Guo-Xing
GX
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000473:pathology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000502:physiology; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000473:pathology*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020011:Protective Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester