Ajdžanović Vladimir, Jarić Ivana, Živanović Jasmina, Filipović Branko, Ristić Nataša, Miler Marko, Milošević Verica
Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.
Department of Cytology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", University of Belgrade, Despot Stefan Blvd. 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia.
Acta Histochem. 2015 Jul;117(6):528-35. doi: 10.1016/j.acthis.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 May 1.
The culminating phase of ageing in males-andropause is characterized by enhanced activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and frequent glucocorticoid excess. In parallel, free testosterone deficiency provides the baseline hormonal milieu for the ageing male. The aim of this study was to illustrate (using diverse microscopic and biochemical methodologies) the effects of testosterone application on the capacity for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone secretion in a rat model of the andropause. Middle-aged Wistar rats were divided into sham-operated (SO; n=8), orchidectomized (Orx; n=8) and testosterone treated orchidectomized (Orx+T; n=8) groups. Testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg b.w./day) was administered for three weeks, while SO and Orx groups received the vehicle alone. ACTH cells and the adrenal cortex were stained using immuno-histochemical, immuno-fluorescent and histochemical procedures. Circulating concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, ACTH and corticosterone, as well as the adrenal tissue corticosterone levels were measured by immunoassays. Testosterone application led to increased (p<0.05) serum concentrations of sex steroids. Consequently, in Orx+T rats the ACTH cell nuclei volume increased (p<0.05) by 34%, while the volume density of ACTH cells and their relative intensity of fluorescence decreased (p<0.05) by 46% and 21%, respectively, in comparison with the corresponding parameters in the Orx group. Testosterone also induced vasodilatation in the adrenocortical zona fasciculata, and decreased (p<0.05) the ACTH concentrations and adrenal tissue corticosterone levels by 38% and 31%, respectively, compared to the Orx group. In conclusion, testosterone administration caused a decrease in the capacity for ACTH and corticosterone secretion in a rat model of the andropause.
男性衰老的最终阶段——雄激素缺乏症的特征是下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴活性增强以及频繁出现糖皮质激素过量。与此同时，游离睾酮缺乏为老年男性提供了基础激素环境。本研究的目的是（使用多种微观和生化方法）阐明在雄激素缺乏症大鼠模型中应用睾酮对促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）分泌能力和皮质酮分泌的影响。将中年Wistar大鼠分为假手术组（SO；n = 8）、去势组（Orx；n = 8）和睾酮治疗去势组（Orx+T；n = 8）。丙酸睾酮（5 mg/kg体重/天）给药三周，而SO组和Orx组仅给予赋形剂。使用免疫组织化学、免疫荧光和组织化学方法对ACTH细胞和肾上腺皮质进行染色。通过免疫测定法测量睾酮、雌二醇、ACTH和皮质酮的循环浓度以及肾上腺组织皮质酮水平。应用睾酮导致性类固醇血清浓度升高（p<0.05）。因此，与Orx组的相应参数相比，Orx+T大鼠的ACTH细胞核体积增加（p<0.05）34%，而ACTH细胞的体积密度及其相对荧光强度分别降低（p<0.05）46%和21%。与Orx组相比，睾酮还诱导肾上腺束状带血管舒张，并使ACTH浓度和肾上腺组织皮质酮水平分别降低（p<0.05）38%和31%。总之，在雄激素缺乏症大鼠模型中，给予睾酮导致ACTH和皮质酮分泌能力下降。
