title: Hydrogen sulfide protects testicular germ cells against heat-induced injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to investigate whether H2S can protect testicular germ cells against heat exposure induced injury and the underlying mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that all three H2S generating enzymes, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine γ-lysase (CSE), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3 MST), were expressed in mouse testicular tissue. Three episodes of heat exposure (42 °C, 30 min/day, 3 days) significantly decreased endogenous H2S production and down-regulated the expression of CBS and CSE in testes. In primary cultured testicular germ cells, exogenous application of NaHS (an H2S donor) attenuated heat stress (42 °C, 30 min) induced cell death and apoptosis. This was mediated by the inhibitory effects of H2S on cytochrome C release and the ratio of the Bax/Bcl-2. NaHS also improved mitochondrial function by decreasing oxygen consumption and increasing ATP production. NaHS treatment also stimulated SOD activity and reduced ROS production.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results revealed both physiological and pharmacological roles of H2S in testicular germ cells. Exogenous application of H2S may protect germ cells by preservation of mitochondrial function and stimulation of anti-oxidant activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
authors.forename: Guang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
authors.forename: Zhi-Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
authors.forename: Jason M W
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chua
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 117597, Singapore. Electronic address: phcbjs@nus.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Jinsong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018869:Heat-Shock Response / Q000187:drug effects*; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000293:injuries*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Antioxidant; Apoptosis; Heat stress; Hydrogen sulfide; Infertility; Testicular germ cell