Microwave radiation decreases the expressions of occludin and JAM-1 in rats / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the changes in the expressions of the tight junction related protein occludin and junctional adhesion molecule-1 (JAM-1) of the blood-testis barrier and their significance in rats after microwave radiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty male Wistar rats were exposed to microwave radiation with average power density of 0, 10, 30 and 100 mW/cm2 for five minutes, and dynamic changes in the expressions of testicular occludin and JAM-1 were observed by Western blot and image analysis at 6 h, 1 d, 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after the radiation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant down-regulation in the expression of the occludin protein at 3 - 7 d, 6 h - 7 d and 6 h - 14 d (P < 0. 05), as well as in that of JAM-1 at 3 - 7 d, 1 - 7 d and 1-14 d (P < 0.05) after exposure to 10, 30 and 100 mW/cm2 microwave radiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The decreased protein expressions of occludin and JAM-1 may play an important role in the microwave radiation induced-damage to the blood-testis barrier.</p>