Proteomic analysis of testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

J Vet Med Sci. 2014 Mar;76(3):313-21. doi: 10.1292/jvms.13-0248. Epub 2013 Nov 1.

Abstract

Testicular torsion is a urological emergency that leads to serious testicular damage and male infertility. We performed this study to identify specific proteins that are differentially expressed in response to testicular torsion and detorsion-induced ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. Adult male rats were divided into two groups: a sham-operated group and a testicular I-R group. Testicular torsion was induced by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 1 hr, and then, detorsion was performed for 24 hr. After this testicular tissues were collected, protein analysis was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Western blot analyses. Testicular I-R injury resulted in serious histopathologic damage to the germinal cells in the seminiferous tubules and increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in testicular tissue. Specific protein spots with a greater than 2.5-fold change in intensity between the sham-operated and testicular I-R groups were identified by mass spectrometry. Among these proteins, levels of peroxiredoxin 6, thioredoxin, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase isozyme L5 and zinc finger AN1-type domain 3 were decreased in the testicular I-R group compared to the sham-operated group. Moreover, Western blot analysis clearly showed the decrease of these proteins in the testicular I-R group. These proteins have spermatogenesis and anti-oxidative functions. These findings suggest that testicular I-R results in cell death due to altered expression of several proteins with spermatogenesis and anti-oxidation functions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / metabolism
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Male
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Peroxiredoxin VI / metabolism
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • Rats
  • Reperfusion Injury / etiology
  • Reperfusion Injury / metabolism*
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / complications*
  • Thioredoxins / metabolism
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase / metabolism

Substances

  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins
  • Thioredoxins
  • Peroxiredoxin VI
  • Ubiquitin Thiolesterase