H. Yazawa

Stress and testicular germ cell apoptosis.

Chronic immobilization stress provokes an increase in serum corticosterone, which causes the decline in testosterone concentration. The stress and glucocorticoid administration induce germ cell apoptosis in rat testes. The cell type that has been shown to undergo apoptosis is spermatogonia. Since a potent glucocorticoid receptor agonist completely suppressed glucocorticoid induced germ cell apoptosis, the regulation of transcription of gene mediated by the glucocorticoid receptor may enhance apoptosis of testicular germ cells. The apoptosis of testicular germ cells would involve certain specific gene activities and proteins, including Bc1-2 family, p53, and Fas. Molecular investigations may help to determine whether the different pathways possess mechanisms of germ cell apoptosis induced by somatic stress and glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoid hormone can suppress apoptosis of rat testicular germ cells induced by testicular ischemia

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and vascular neutrophil adhesion after repair of testicular torsion in rats. DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. SETTING Department of Urology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan. ANIMAL(S) Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTION(S) Dexamethasone, 10 mg/kg of body weight. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Testicular germ-cell apoptosis (percentages of apoptotic tubules and apoptotic cells) and vascular neutrophil adhesion were assessed by using DNA nick-end labeling and the endothelial-neutrophil adhesion score, respectively. RESULT(S) Intravenous administration of dexamethasone at repair of 90-minute testicular torsion significantly inhibited testicular germ-cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion. This inhibition was suppressed by intravenous injection of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION(S) Glucocorticoids can be administered for torsion in addition to conventional torsion repair.

THE USE OF EBASTINE, A MAST CELL BLOCKER, FOR TREATMENT OF OLIGOZOOSPERMIA

The effect of mast cell blocker (ebastine) on semen quality was evaluated in 15 idiopathic oligozoospermic males. Ten milligrams/day of ebastine was administered orally for 3 months. Nine cases (66.7%) showed definite improvement in the semen quality. The wives of 3 patients (20%) became pregnant within 6 months of the initial treatment. It would appear that mast cell blocker (ebastine) significantly improves semen quality in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia.The effect of mast cell blocker (ebastine) on semen quality was evaluated in 15 idiopathic oligozoospermic males. Ten milligrams/day of ebastine was administered orally for 3 months. Nine cases (66.7%) showed definite improvement in the semen quality. The wives of 3 patients (20%) became pregnant within 6 months of the initial treatment. It would appear that mast cell blocker (ebastine) significantly improves semen quality in men with idiopathic oligozoospermia.

Results and complications of laparoscopic Palomo varicocelecctomy.

The laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy were performed in 38 males with left-sided varicocele. The mean operation time was 37 (25-56) min. There were no intra-abdominal visceral or vascular complications during operation. Neither testicular atrophy nor recurrence was observed postoperatively. However, hydrocele formation was found in two (5.3%) patients. These findings suggest that laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectony is a safe and effective procedure for patients with varicocele.

Modulation of neutrophil apoptosis by psychological stress and glucocorticoid.

Neutrophils play a pivotal role in host defense against bacterial infection, however, these cells may have a harmful effect on normal tissues under certain pathological conditions. We demonstrate here that apoptosis of these cells is modulated by psychophysical stress and its related hormones, suggesting that psychoneural systems may exert an effect on host defense through modulating neutrophil survival.

Localization of the sex-determining region-Y gene in XX males.

Localization of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) was investigated in 2 XX males. Metaphase chromosomes from peripheral lymphocytes were stained by fluorescence in situ hybridization using DXZ1 and SRY probes. An identical hybridization signal with the SRY probe was found on an X chromosome in both cases. The karyotype of the 2 cases was 46,XX, t(X;Y)(p22.3;p11.3). It would appear that XX male is the presence of a Y-chromosome fragment transferred to the X-chromosome short arm by unequal interchange between homologous regions in the short arms of sex chromosomes.Localization of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) was investigated in 2 XX males. Metaphase chromosomes from peripheral lymphocytes were stained by fluorescence in situ hybridization using DXZ1 and SRY probes. An identical hybridization signal with the SRY probe was found on an X chromosome in both cases. The karyotype of the 2 cases was 46,XX, t(X;Y)(p22.3;p11.3). It would appear that XX male is the presence of a Y-chromosome fragment transferred to the X-chromosome short arm by unequal interchange between homologous regions in the short arms of sex chromosomes.

Glucocorticoid hormone suppression of human neutrophil-mediated tumor cell cytostasis

In the present study, we have investigated the effect of glucocorticoid hormones on neutrophil‐mediated tumor cell cytostasis and found that hydrocortisone and a synthetic hormone, dexamethasone (Dex), inhibited cytostasis in the presence or absence of tumor necrosis factor‐α. The effect of Dex was completely reversed by a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU38486. To clarify the underlying mechanisms, we examined effects of Dex on the binding avidity of β2 integrin on the neutrophil surface and how these might in turn affect neutrophil‐to‐tumor cell binding. Dex was found to inhibit these neutrophil properties, and RU38486 completely suppressed both forms of Dex inhibition. Taken together, our findings suggest that glucocorticoid hormone inhibition of neutrophil‐mediated tumor cell cytostasis is at least partially due to a lowering of the ligand binding avidity of β2 integrin on the neutrophil surface. Int. J. Cancer 81:74–80, 1999.

REEVALUATION OF TESTICULAR BIOPSIES OF MALES WITH NONOBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Spermatogenesis was investigated in seminiferous tubules of 100 males with nonobstructive azoospermia. Forty-four (44%) cases had Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, 23 (23%) had spermatogonium in the tubules, 17 (17%) had primary spermatocyte in the tubules, and 16 (16%) had round or late spermatid in the tubules. No cases showed secondary spermatocyte present in the tubules. The mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in males with nonobstructive azoospermia was significantly higher than that in males with obstructive azoospermia (p <. 001). The mean concentrations of serum FSH in cases with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and spermatogonium in the tubules were significantly higher than those in cases with primary spermatocyte and spermatid in the tubules (p <. 05-.001). The results indicate that the evaluation of testicular histology using the type of germ cells present in seminiferous tubules is available for assisted reproductive technology.Spermatogenesis was investigated in seminiferous tubules of 100 males with nonobstructive azoospermia. Forty-four (44%) cases had Sertoli-cell-only syndrome, 23 (23%) had spermatogonium in the tubules, 17 (17%) had primary spermatocyte in the tubules, and 16 (16%) had round or late spermatid in the tubules. No cases showed secondary spermatocyte present in the tubules. The mean serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in males with nonobstructive azoospermia was significantly higher than that in males with obstructive azoospermia (p < .001). The mean concentrations of serum FSH in cases with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and spermatogonium in the tubules were significantly higher than those in cases with primary spermatocyte and spermatid in the tubules (p < .05-.001). The results indicate that the evaluation of testicular histology using the type of germ cells present in seminiferous tubules is available for assisted reproductive technology.

Hyperbaric oxygenation therapy for cyclophosphamide-induced haemorrhagic cystitis.

A 41-year-old female patient undergoing cyclophosphamide therapy for ovarian tumour suffered from haemorrhagic cystitis. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) (100% of oxygen concentration at 2 atmospheric absolute pressures for 60 minutes a day for 30 days) was performed. After treatment the symptom subsided and haematuria disappeared. Cystoscopic findings demonstrated marked improvement. During the course of therapy no side effect was noted. Thus, HBO treatment appeared to have a beneficial effect on cyclophosphamide cystitis.

LAPAROSCOPIC VARICOCELECTOMY IN ADOLESCENTS USING AN ULTRASONICALLY ACTIVATED SCALPEL

Ten laparoscopic varicocelectomies were performed using an ultrasonically activated scalpel to divide spermatic vessels in adolescents. The mean operation time was 35 (25-46) min. There were no intra-abdominal viscelar or vascular complications, and no postoperative analgesia was required. These findings suggest that laparoscopic varicocelectomy using an ultrasonically activated scalpel may be a valuable treatment in the adolescent.Ten laparoscopic varicocelectomies were performed using an ultrasonically activated scalpel to divide spermatic vessels in adolescents. The mean operation time was 35 (25-46) min. There were no intraabdominal viscelar or vascular complications, and no postoperative analgesia was required. These findings suggest that laparoscopic varicocelectomy using an ultrasonically activated scalpel may be a valuable treatment in the adolescent.