title: Effects of supraphysiological testosterone treatment and orchiectomy on ischemia/reperfusion-induced bladder dysfunction in male rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The roles of testosterone and orchiectomy on male bladder subjected to ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injuries received little attention. To fill this gap, the present study intended to examine testosterone and orchiectomy effects on male rabbits subjected to I/R damages.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the effects of testosterone and orchiectomy on contractile response, bladder morphology, interstitial fibrosis, and oxidative stress in male rabbit bladder subjected to I/R surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male New Zealand rabbits were distributed into five groups as follows: Group 1 received sham surgical procedure. In group 2, I/R surgery was performed. In group 3, testosterone (100 μg/kg/day) was intramuscularly injected prior to I/R surgery. In group 4, orchiectomy was performed prior to I/R surgery. In group 5, orchiectomy was performed with subsequent testosterone administration, followed by I/R surgery. All the rabbits were euthanized 7 days after I/R. Comparative studies were analyzed to elucidate the effects of testosterone and orchiectomy on bladder dysfunction subjected to I/R injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bladder contractile function was evaluated. Masson's trichrome staining and immunohistochemical studies were performed to evaluate bladder morphology and intramural nerve terminals. Western blotting was examined to investigate the expressions of fibrosis and oxidative stress markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  I/R surgery significantly decreased bladder contractility in response to various stimulations with and without testosterone treatment. I/R damages decreased bladder nerve density with and without testosterone. The expressions of fibrosis and oxidative stress-related proteins were increased by I/R injuries with or without testosterone treatment. Testosterone depletion significantly decreased the expressions of transforming growth factor-β and fibronectin expressions after I/R injury. Supraphysiological testosterone treatment after orchiectomy greatly increased the expressions of these fibrosis proteins; however, orchiectomy alone ameliorated I/R injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Testosterone treatment or orchiectomy affected I/R-induced bladder damages in male rabbits. Orchiectomy decreased the level of fibrosis and oxidative stress markers and increased neurofilament densities. Supraphysiological exogenous testosterone administration after orchiectomy further exacerbated such detrimental effects of I/R.
authors: Yuh-Ing Junior College of Health Care and Management, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors: Shu-Mien
authors: SM
authors: Chuang
authors: Keh-Min
authors: KM
authors: Liu
authors: Yung-Chin
authors: YC
authors: Lee
authors: Rong-Jyh
authors: RJ
authors: Lin
authors: Chao-Yuan
authors: CY
authors: Chang
authors: Wen-Jen
authors: WJ
authors: Wu
authors: Wei-Chiao
authors: WC
authors: Chang
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Levin
authors: Yung-Shun
authors: YS
authors: Juan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009919:Orchiectomy; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone