ABSTRACT
Mirabegron is a selective beta3-adrenoceptor (ß3 -AR) agonist, which is commonly used for the treatment of overactive bladder. This medicine is associated with atrophy of reproductive organs in rats. However, no study has examined the detailed action and mechanism of its toxicity in reproductive cells. In this study, we examined the effect of mirabegron on primary cultured rat Sertoli cells. Firstly, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry revealed that ß3 -AR was present in rat Sertoli cells. Then, primary cultured rat Sertoli cells were treated with mirabegron. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that mirabegron treatment induced a significant increase in claudin-11 mRNA, which is crucial for spermatogenesis. Western blot analysis also showed that mirabegron treatment significantly activated p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). After additional treatment with U0126, a specific noncompetitive inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), the upregulation of claudin-11 mRNA induced by mirabegron was reduced. At the same time, immunocytochemistry showed mirabegron treatment disturbed claudin-11 localisation to tight junction, which was recovered when treated with mirabegron in the presence of U0126. These results suggest that mirabegron treatment is associated with assembly of the blood-testis barrier through p44/42 MAPK pathway. These findings could explain one of the underlying mechanisms of reproductive toxicity induced by mirabegron.
Subject(s)
Acetanilides/toxicity , Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists/toxicity , Blood-Testis Barrier/drug effects , Sertoli Cells/drug effects , Thiazoles/toxicity , Tight Junctions/drug effects , Animals , Butadienes/pharmacology , Cells, Cultured , Claudins/metabolism , Male , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/antagonists & inhibitors , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/metabolism , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/antagonists & inhibitors , Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/metabolism , Nitriles/pharmacology , Primary Cell Culture , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Sertoli Cells/cytology , Sertoli Cells/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Spermatogenesis/drug effects , Tight Junctions/metabolismABSTRACT
Cases: Testicular adrenal rest tumor (TART) is one of the possible causes of male infertility, accompanied by congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Here are reported two cases of TARTs that were referred to Kobe City Medical Center West Hospital for the treatment of infertility and testicular tumors. Outcome: In one case, the semen analysis was improved from oligoasthenozoospermia to normozoospermia after taking oral glucocorticoid supplementation. The other case of original azoospermia showed that sperm had ejaculated into the semen after taking oral glucocorticoid supplementation. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of TARTs in male infertility is very rare, it is important to know how to approach this disease, considering the curable pathology of spermatogenesis and tumors resembling an appearance to germ cell tumors.
