title: [Baicalein enhances the gap junction in the TM4 Sertoli cells of mice].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.
authors.forename: Guo-jun
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Shu-ying
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ru
authors.forename: Xu-hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000378:metabolism*; D044950:Flavanones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D018031:Connexin 43; D044950:Flavanones; C006680:baicalein