Bcl-2 overexpression in the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.
OBJECTIVE
Varicocele is characterized by dilatation and tortuosity of the internal spermatic vein (ISV). Cross sections of ISV showed marked thickening of smooth muscle layer under microscopy. This study examined Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic protein) expression in the ISV of patients with varicocele.


METHODS
The study group consisted of eight patients with left varicocele, grade 3. The control group consisted of six volunteers with left indirect inguinal hernia. Using a left inguinal surgical incision, a 1-cm section of ISV was resected from each patient in both groups as specimens for immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining of Bcl-2. Results were analyzed using Student's t test.


RESULTS
Bcl-2 immunoblots from both groups revealed one single band. alpha-tubulin was used as loading control. The average relative intensity of the Bcl-2 was 25.82 +/- 10.53 in the control group and 113.49 +/- 27.49 in the varicocele group. Hematoxylin staining revealed a thickening ISV in the patients with varicocele, predominantly in the muscle layer, which was not found in the control group. Moreover, the intensity of Bcl-2 immunostaining was markedly higher in the study group than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed Bcl-2 overexpression in the ISV of patients with varicocele. Additional studies are necessary to clarify the molecular mechanisms of varicocele formation and recurrence.
Lee
Jane-Dar
JD
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Armed Forces Taichung General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
Jeng
Shaw-Yeu
SY
Lee
Tsung-Han
TH
D000328:Adult; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000072224:Bcl-2-Like Protein 11; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C000606775:BCL2L11 protein, human; D000072224:Bcl-2-Like Protein 11; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins