title: [Expression of NOSTRIN in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer (NOSTRIN) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, and investigate their correlation with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.
  
  
  METHODS
  We detected the expressions of NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR respectively, determined the activity of eNOS by spectrophotometry, and measured the stable metabolic end product NO, NO2- / NO3-, by nitrate reductase assay in the testis tissues of 17 patients with idiopathic azoospermia (the azoospermia group) and 10 normal men (the normal group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  NOSTRIN and NOSTRIN mRNA were expressed in the spermatogonia, sertoli cells, stromal cells and vascular endothelial cells, more lowly in the azoospermia than in the normal group (0.312 +/- 0.076 versus 0.793 +/- 0.082, P < 0.01). The activity of eNOS was significantly increased in the idiopathic azoospermia patients ([33.727 +/- 3.58] U/mg) compared with the normal men ([17.69 +/- 3.84] U/mg) (P < 0.01). The level of NO2- / NO3- was significantly higher in the azoospermia than in the normal group ([48.56 +/- 8.49] micromol/L versus [25.37 +/- 9.61] micromol/L, P < 0.01). The expression of NOSTRIN showed a significant negative correlation with the activity of eNOS (r = -0.57, P < 0.01) as well as with the level of NO2- / NO3- (r = -0.61, P < 0.01) in the testis tissue of the idiopathic azoospermia patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of NOSTRIN is decreased, while the activity of eNOS and the level of NO2- / NO3- increased in the testis tissue of azoospermia patients, which may be associated with the pathogenesis of azoospermia.
authors.affiliation: Family Planning Institute/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China. wpxiang2010@gmail.com
authors.forename: Wen-pei
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Zi-na
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Lian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Hong-gang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cheng-liang
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Xiong
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D000328:Adult; D053713:Azoospermia / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; C470345:NOSTRIN protein, human; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III