Mast cells and ethanol consumption: interactions in the prostate, epididymis and testis of UChB rats.
OBJECTIVE
Alcoholism has reached alarming proportions while fertility rates slowing in populations. The assessment of inflammatory effects with emphasis on the variation of the mast cells comparing ethanol chronic ingestion on reproductive organs deserves attention.


METHODS
The mast cells were investigated with light microscopy using toluidine blue to locate and count total mast cells and immunohistochemistry to identify the connective tissue mast cells (CTMC).


RESULTS
The increase in total mast cells in the prostate, total and degranulated mast cells in epididymis of UChB rats was accompanied by a greater proportion of mucosal mast cells (MMC) in these organs. In addition, a lower incidence of degranulated mast cells was observed in epididymis of control rats.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethanol increases the number of total and degranulated mast cells in the prostate and epididymis, as well as associated with increasing MMC, and therefore, it could be leading to inflammation in these organs.
Cellular and Structural Biology Program, Institute of Biology, Univ Estadual de Campinas - UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil.
Leonardo O
LO
Mendes
João Paulo A
JP
Amorim
Giovana R
GR
Teixeira
Luiz Gustavo A
LG
Chuffa
Beatriz Aparecida
BA
Fioruci
Tatiana Aparecida
TA
Pimentel
Wilson
W
de Mello
Carlos Roberto
CR
Padovani
Sergio
S
Pereira
Marcelo
M
Martinez
Patrícia Fernanda F
PF
Pinheiro
Sônia Maria
SM
Oliani
Francisco Eduardo
FE
Martinez
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000437:Alcoholism; D000818:Animals; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D008853:Microscopy; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D000431:Ethanol