Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on the testis cell apoptosis in morphine-dependent rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, on the testis cell apoptosis in morphine-dependent rats induced by naloxone and the involved mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, withdrawal group and a therapeutic group. Morphine-dependent rats were given gradually increasing doses of morphine to produce morphine-dependent models, the abstinent syndrome precipitated by naloxone. The inhibiting effect of L-NNA on the abstinent syndrome, and the testis apoptosis, NOS positive cells, calmodulin (CaM) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione super oxidase (GSHPx) activity of the morphine-dependent rats induced by naloxone were observed and recorded by radioimmunoassay, atomic absorption spectrometry, in situ nick translation (ISNT) and NADPH-d histochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control rats, the function of the somesthetic motor nerves and autonomic nerves was excessive, the apoptosis and NOS positive cells in the testis were significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the content of CaM and the activity of SOD and GSHPx were obviously decreased in the morphine-dependent rats induced by naloxone. But L-NNA could significantly inhibit the abstinent syndrome, decrease NOS positive cells and apoptosis, and increase CaM content and the activity of SOD and GSHPx in the testis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Morphine dependence can induce testis cell apoptosis, an increase in testis NOS positive cells, a decrease in CaM content and the activity of SOD and GSHPx in the testis. L-NNA has the curative effect on the morphine abstinent syndrome, protects testis cells against apoptosis and improves their involved biochemical indexes.</p>