Alterations in ACE and ABCG2 expression levels in the testes of rats subjected to atropine-induced toxicity

Abstract

Atropine-induced damage is associated with enzyme and protein alterations. The aim of the present study was to investigate atropine‑induced alterations in testicular expression levels of angiotensin‑converting enzyme (ACE) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding cassette sub‑family G member 2 (ABCG2) following atropine treatment. Male Wistar rats received 15 mg/kg/day atropine for 7 days; control rats received an identical volume of saline, Following treatment, the testes were harvested for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to examine the protein and gene expression levels of ACE and ABCG2 by digital image analysis. ACE gene and protein expression levels were significantly reduced in the testes of atropine‑treated rats, compared with control rats (P=0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively). In addition, ABCG2 gene and protein expression levels were significantly increased in the testes of atropine‑treated rats, compared with control rats (P=0.0017 and P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the results of the present study demonstrate that testicular protein and gene expression levels of ACE and ABCG2 were altered as a result of atropine‑induced toxicity in the rats. These alterations may result in abnormal testicular function, and the proteins and genes identified in the present study may be useful to elucidate the mechanisms underlying atropine‑induced toxicity and provide a direction for further studies.

European Society of Toxicologic Pathology (Pathology 2.0 Molecular Pathology Special Interest Group): Review of In Situ Hybridization Techniques for Drug Research and Development

“…Notable studies in model organisms include ISH in whole zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) adults or embryos, 164 - 167 fish gill to study environmental toxicants, 168 tritium-labeled probes in toxicant-induced tumors in mouse models, 169 NMDA-induced toxicity in the eyes of mice, and atropine-induced toxicity in the rat testis. 170 , 171 …”

Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica e infección por SARS-CoV-2. ¿Qué sabemos hasta ahora?

“…Previa a esta pandemia, amplia evidencia científica ha mostrado que el uso de anticolinérgicos, así como de corticoides inhalados, reduce el desarrollo de exacerbaciones en los pacientes con EPOC [13][14][15] , pero la información de la que disponemos acerca de su efecto sobre la familia Coronaviridae es escasa. Con respecto a los anticolinérgicos, un estudio realizado en modelo animal determinó como la atropina reduce la expresión de los genes de la ACE 16 . Análisis en roedores expuestos a humo de tabaco han demostrado que tiotropio disminuye la inflamación pulmonar producida por el virus Influenza 17 .…”