[Effects of tributyltin chloride (TBT) and triphenyltin chloride (TPT) on rat testicular Leydig cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of tributyltin chloride (TBT) and triphenyltin chloride (TPT) on rat testicular Leydig cells.


METHODS
The rat Leydig cells (LC-540) were incubated with 0 to 80 nmol/L TBT and TPT for 24 to approximately 96 h, and then the cell viability was determined by MTT. DNA fragmentation ladder formation of cell apoptosis was examined by agarose electrophoresis. Effects of chelator of intracellular Ca2+ (BAPTA) and the inhibitors of PKA, PKC and TPK on cell apoptosis induced by TBT were observed. Effects of TBT on testosterone production in primary cultured rat Leydig cells treated with or without hCG were detected.


RESULTS
TBT and TPT suppressed Leydig cell survival in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The suppressive effects of TBT and TPT on the cell survival was caused by apoptosis which was determined by DNA ladder formation. The apoptotic effect of TBT was possibly mediated by the rise in intracellular Ca2+ because it could be blocked by BAPTA, the chelator of intracellular Ca2+; PKA, PKC and TPK inhibitors did not prevent the apoptotic effects induced by TBT. TBT markedly suppressed testosterone production of primary cultured rat Leydig cells with or without hCG stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
TBT and TPT induced apoptosis in rat testicular Leydig cells possibly through increasing intracellular Ca2+. TBT reduced the testosterone production of rat Leydig cells.
Wang
Bao-an
BA
Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China.
Li
Ming
M
Mu
Yi-ming
YM
Lu
Zhao-hui
ZH
Li
Jiang-yuan
JY
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014220:Trialkyltin Compounds; D013739:Testosterone; C011559:tributyltin; C012594:triphenyltin chloride; D002118:Calcium