1 Department of Medical and Surgical Pediatric Sciences, Pediatric Surgery Unit, University of Messina and 2 Department of Biochemical, Physiological and Nutritional Sciences, University of Messina, Italy 3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Dipartimento di Scienze Pediatriche Mediche e Chirurgiche, Unità di Chirurgia Pediatrica, Policlinico Universitario, Viale Gazzi, 98124 Messina, Italy. e-mail: romeoc{at}unime.it
![]() |
Abstract |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
Key words: adolescent/nitric oxide/nitrotyrosine/reactive nitrogen species/varicocele
![]() |
Introduction |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
Similar results have been also demonstrated in adolescents with grade II and III varicocele, and up-regulated function of the inducible isoform of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been identified in the Leydig cells of these patients (Romeo et al., 2001; Santoro et al., 2001
).
Other reports in adults with varicocele have recently demonstrated a role for reactive oxygen species (ROS), i.e. hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion, in causing sperm dysfunction (Hendin et al., 1999; Koksal et al., 2000
). Varicocele reduces the antioxidant defences of both seminal and blood plasma causing an oxidative stress status (Barbieri et al., 1999
).
An equivalent demonstration of NO-dependent damage due to reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in varicocele patients is still lacking.
Recently, nitrotyrosine has been identified as a marker of NO damage in vivo in patients with different inflammatory diseases (Ter Steege et al., 1998; Sittipunt et al., 2001
). Protein tyrosine nitration represents a marker for accurate definition of production and action of peroxynitrite, the active metabolite of NO, in biological elements and also contributes to the toxicity mediated by NO and peroxynitrite.
In order to investigate whether NO tissue injury in adolescent varicocele may at least partially be due to NO-derived reactive species, the current study was designed to characterize the process of NO and peroxynitrite generation through the determination of nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and nitrotyrosine concentration in the dilated veins of adolescents with a varicocele. Demonstration of an increased concentration of nitrotyrosine in the blood from the spermatic vein of varicocele patients could represent a marker of the potential harmful effects of NO.
![]() |
Materials and methods |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
Plasma NOx concentrations
Nitrite/nitrate concentrations were measured in the plasma as reported previously (Misko et al., 1993). After conversion of nitrate to nitrite by nitrate reductase, sample extracts were reacted with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (0.032 mmol/l in 0.62 mol/l HCl). Fluorescence was determined using a model LS-3B Perkin Elmer fluorescence spectrometer with excitation at 365 nm and emission at 450 nm.
Nitrotyrosine ELISA
Nitrated plasma proteins were assayed by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (Ter Steege et al., 1998). In brief, 96-well plates (Nunc-ImmunomPalte; MaxiSorp, Roskilde, Denmark) were coated with 1 µg/ml monoclonal antibody to nitrotyrosine (HM11; Hbt, Uden, Netherlands) in PBS (100 µl/well) overnight at 4°C. After blocking with 1% bovine serum albumin (BSA) (150 µl/well) and washing, nitrated proteins were added as antigen (100 µl/well) for 1 h. The plates were then incubated with biotinylated HM11 (Hbt) diluted 1:1000 in PBS containing 0.1% BSA (100 µl/well) for 1 h. Thereafter, 0.1 ml of streptavidinhorseradish peroxidase conjugate (1:1000; Amersham Biosciences, Buckinghamshire, UK) was added to each well, and the plate was incubated for 3 h at 37°C. The plates were washed three times with washing buffer to completely remove any reagents not bound to the solid phase. Finally, 0.1 ml of O-pheylenediamine substrate solution was added to each well to develop a yellowish colour. The enzymatic reaction was stopped by addition of 0.1 ml/well of 2 Normal H2SO4. The amount of nitrotyrosine was measured as absorbance at 490 nm using an ELISA plate reader (Tecan GmbH, Salzburg, Austria). In our experimental conditions the mean inter-assay variance was 9.2% and the mean intra-assay variance was 2.8%. The use of HM11 as an antibody resulted in an ELISA with a detection limit of
0.2 nmol/l nitrotyrosine.
SDSPAGE and Western blotting
Gel electrophoresis of plasma proteins was performed on an 8.5% polyacrylamide gel using a previously described buffer system (Laemmli, 1970). Two identical gels were run at the same time. One was submitted to Coomassie blue staining and the other was used for blotting onto a transfer membrane.
When the transfer was complete, the nitrocellulose membrane was blocked for 1 h with 5% non-fat milk dissolved in 20 mmol/l TrisHCl, pH 7.4, 150 mmol/l NaCl and 0.5% Tween 20. Next the membrane was incubated with monoclonal antibody to nitrotyrosine (1:500, HM11; Hycult Biotechnology, Uden, Netherlands) for 1 h shaking at 37°C. After washing, the blots were incubated with peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-murine antibodies (1:1000; Amersham Biosciences). The nitrated proteins were visualized using chemiluminescence reagent (ECL, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech, Buckinghamshire, UK) and a 2030 s exposure to autoradiography film.
Statistical analysis
Data are expressed as medians and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A non-parametric paired Wilcoxon test was used for comparison between groups. Spearmans rank correlation was used to determine whether nitrotyrosine concentrations significantly correlated with the age of patients or with time of onset of symptoms. Probability levels <0.05 were considered significant.
![]() |
Results |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
|
|
|
![]() |
Discussion |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
The harmful effects of NO are mediated by biologically activated molecules produced by the reaction of NO with the superoxide anion yielding ONOO and peroxynitrous acid (ONOOH). These are strong oxidant molecules that can cause molecular damage to a variety of tissues. The acid ONOOH reacts with the cysteine residues of proteins or glutathione, forming S-nitrosothiols. Peroxynitrite also modifies the tyrosine residues, producing nitrotyrosine (Radi et al., 2000). This last has been reported to be increased in different inflammatory conditions (Ter Steege et al., 1998
; Sittipunt et al., 2001
) as well as in conditions of hypoxiaischaemia (Tan et al., 2001
).
There are different methods to measure nitrotyrosine. In this study, a semi-quantitative assay for nitrated plasma proteins recently developed using a monoclonal antibody and ELISA technique was used. This technique has been reported to quantitate the NO mediated systemic damage, as demonstrated in patients with coeliac disease (Ter Steege et al., 1998).
In the present study, the concentration of NOx, i.e. the end products of NO metabolism, was first determined. A significant increase of NOx in the blood of spermatic veins from varicocele patients was noted, as previously demonstrated (Figure 1). A possible source for the overproduction of NO has been recently identified in Leydig cells of adolescents with varicocele. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis have demonstrated an up-regulation of the inducible isoform of the enzyme iNOS in Leydig cells (Santoro et al., 2001). The NO produced at supra-physiological concentrations can freely diffuse across membranes and exert action through its biologically activated molecules at different levels.
An attempt was also made to verify whether or not the increased concentration of NO could produce more reactive species with potential negative effects on the reproductive system. The concentration of nitrotyrosine, a biological marker of NO-induced damage, was investigated. Indeed, the concentration of nitrotyrosine in the spermatic veins was significantly higher compared with the peripheral veins of the same patients (Figure 2), indicating that NO causes nitration of plasma proteins with higher molecular weight. This condition was not correlated with the age of patients at surgery (r = 0.66; P = 0.23) or with the reported time of onset of symptoms (r = 0.47; P = 0.45).
The selective modification of tyrosine residues may have profound effects on the biological functions of the testis. S-nitrosylation causes disregulation of cellular signal transduction processes; it also has harmful effects on cellular energetics through the inhibition of complex I in mitochondrial respiration (Szabò, 2000). Moreover, in blood vessels nitrotyrosine has been recognized to cause selective vascular endothelial dysfunction through the promotion of DNA damage and/or apoptosis (Mihm et al., 2000
), which could exacerbate vasodilatation in this anatomical area (Jin et al., 2001
).
Different mechanisms, both enzymatic and proteolytic, normally protect cells against protein nitration. In persisting pathogenic conditions that generate increased amounts of RNS, such as occurs in varicocele, the repair mechanisms may be overwhelmed, resulting in a pathological outcome (Szabò, 2000). Recently an increased concentration of carbonyl groups has been demonstrated in the spermatic blood of young adult males with clinical and sub-clinical varicocele, suggesting oxidative damage also to plasma proteins (Chen et al., 2001
).
The effect of varicocele on male fertility is still a matter of debate (Jarow, 2001). The clinical evidence available suggests that the effect seems to vary according to age. In adolescents, different clinical studies support the hypothesis that the effect of varicocele is progressive. In particular, hypotrophy has been demonstrated in the left testis of intermediate grade varicocele, and bilateral hypotrophy for high grade ones (Kass et al., 2001
). Catch-up growth has been also documented by prospective studies after varicocele repair (Podestà et al., 1994
; Paduch and Niedzielski, 1997
). Surgery in adolescents may also result in maintenance of fertility potential (Pozza et al., 1994
). Other studies have demonstrated ultrastructural modifications of the lamina propria and basal lamina, similar to but less severe than that observed in adults (Santoro et al., 1999, 2000). In contrast, the clinical data available do not support a similar progressive effect of varicocele in adulthood (Jarow, 2001
).
The results of this study describe a condition of NO-mediated oxidative stress limited to the testis of adolescents with varicocele. Systemic stress, as described in adults, was not observed.
Our data support the need for surgical treatment in adolescent varicocele to interrupt the destructive cycle that causes blood stasis, NO overproduction and nitrotyrosine formation. Treatment options should also consider antioxidant therapies to counteract the oxidizing effects of both ROS and RNS (Lenzi et al., 1996, 2000).
![]() |
References |
---|
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
---|
Chen, S.S., Chung, L.S. and Wei, Y.-H. (2001) Oxidative damage to proteins and decrease of antioxidant capacity in patients with varicocele. Free Rad. Biol. Med., 30, 13281334.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Del Punta, K., Charreau, A.H. and Pignataro, O.P. (1996) Nitric oxide inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Endocrinology, 137, 53375343.[Abstract]
Fujisawa, M., Yamanaka, K., Tanaka, H., Okada, H., Arakawa, S. and Kamidono, S. (2001) Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the Sertoli cells of men with infertility of various causes. BJU Int., 87, 8588.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Hendin, B.N., Kolettis, P.N., Sharma, R.K., Thomas, A.J. and Agarwal, A. (1999) Varicocele is associated with elevated spermatozoal reactive oxygen species production and diminished seminal plasma antioxidant capacity. J. Urol., 161, 18311834.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Horner, J.S. (1960) The varicocele. A survey amongst secondary schoolboys. Med. Officer, 104, 377381.
Jarow, J.P. (2001) Effects of varicocele on male fertility. Hum. Reprod. Update, 7, 5964.
Jin, L., Abou-Mohamed, G., Caldwell, M.D. and Caldwell, R.W. (2001) Endothelial cell dysfunction in a model of oxidative stress. Med. Sci. Monit., 4, 585591.
Kass, E.J., Stork, B.R. and Steinert, B.W. (2001) Varicocele in adolescence induces left and right testicular volume loss. BJU Int., 8, 499501.[CrossRef]
Koksal, I.T., Tefekli, A., Usta, M., Erol, H., Abbasoglu, S. and Kdioglu, A. (2000) The role of reactive oxygen species in testicular dysfunction associated with varicocele. BJU Int., 86, 549552.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Kostic, T., Andric, S., Kovacevic, R. and Maric, D. (1998) The involvement of nitric oxide in stress-impaired testicular steroidogenesis. Eur. J. Pharmacol., 346, 267273.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Laemmli, U.K. (1970) Cleavage of structural proteins during the assembly of the head bateriophage T4. Nature, 227, 680685.[ISI][Medline]
Lenzi, A., Gandini, L., Picardo, M., Gandini, L. and Dondero, F. (1996) Lipids of the sperm plasma membrane: from polyunsaturated fatty acids considered as markers of sperm function to possible scavenger therapy. Hum. Reprod. Update, 2, 246256.
Lenzi, A., Picardo, M., Gandini, L., Tramer, F., Sandri, G. and Panfili, E. (2000) Lipoperoxidation damage of spermatozoa polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA): scavenger mechanisms and possible scavenger therapies. Front. Biosci., 1, E1E15.
Middendorf, R., Muller, D., Wichers, S., Holstein, A.F. and Davidoff, M.S. (1997) Evidence for production and functional activity of nitric oxide in seminiferous rubules and blood vessels of the human testis. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 82, 41544161.
Mihm, M.J., Jing, L. and Bauer, J.A. (2000) Nitrotyrosine causes selective vascular endothelial dysfunction and DNA damage. J. Cardiovasc. Pharmacol., 2, 182187.[CrossRef]
Misko, T.P., Schilling, R.J., Salvemini, D., Moore, W.M. and Currie, M.G. (1993) A fluorometric assay for the measurement of nitrite in biological samples. Anal. Biochem., 214, 1116.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Mitropoulos, D., Delicostantinos, G., Zervas, A., Villiotu, V., Dimopoulos, C. and Stavrides, J. (1996) Nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase activities in the spermatic vein of patients with varicocele: a potential role for nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in sperm dysfunction. J. Urol., 156, 19521958.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Ozbek, E., Turkoz, Y. and Gokdeniz, R. (2000) Increased nitric oxide production in the spermatic vein of patients with varicocele. Eur. Urol., 37, 172175.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Paduch, D.A. and Niedzielski, J. (1997) Repair versus observation in adolescent varicocele: a prospective study. J. Urol., 158, 11281132.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Podestà, M.L., Gottlieb, S., Medel, R. Jr, Ropelato, G., Bergada, C. and Quesada, E.M. (1994) Hormonal parameters and testicular volume in children and adolescents with unilateral varicocele: preoperative and postoperative findings. J. Urol., 152, 794797.[ISI][Medline]
Pozza, D., Gregari, A., Osanna, P., Amodeo, S., Malizia, S. and Marchionni, L. (1994) Is it useful to operate on adolescent patients affected by left varicocele? J. Androl., 15, 43s46s.[Medline]
Radi, R., Denicola, A., Alvarez, B., Ferrer-Sueta, G. and Rubbo, H. (2000) The biological chemistry of peroxynitrite. In Ignarro, L.J. (ed.), Nitric Oxide Biology and Pathobiology. Academic Press, San Diego, USA.
Romeo, C., Ientile, R., Santoro, G., Impellizzeri, P., Turiaco, N., Impala, P., Cifala, S., Cutroneo, G., Trimarchi, F. and Gentile, C. (2001) Nitric oxide is increased in the spermatic veins of adolescents with left idiopathic varicocele. J. Pediatr. Surg., 36, 389393.
Rosselli, M., Dubey, R., Imthurn, B., Macas, E. and Keller, P.J. (1995) Effect of nitric oxide on human spermatozoa: evidence that nitric oxide decreases sperm motility and induces sperm toxicity. Hum. Reprod., 10, 17861790.[Abstract]
Rosselli, M., Keller, P.J. and Dubej, R.K. (1998) Role of nitric oxide in the biology, physiology and pathophysiology of reproduction. Hum. Reprod. Update, 4, 324.
Santoro, G., Romeo, C., Impellizzeri, P., Arco, A., Rizzo, G. and Gentile, C.(1999) A morphometric and ultrastructural study of the changes of the lamina propria in adolescents with varicocele. BJU Int., 83, 82832.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Santoro, G., Romeo, C., Impellizzeri, P., Gentile, C., Anastasi, G. and Santoro, A. (2000) Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study of basal lamina of the testis in adolescent varicocele. Fertil. Steril., 73, 699705.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Santoro, G., Romeo, C., Impellizzeri, P. Ientile, R., Turiaco, N., Cutroneo, G., Trimarchi, F., Pedale, S., Turiaco, N. and Gentile, C. (2001) Nitric oxide synthase patterns in normal and varicocele testis in adolescent age. BJU Int., 88, 967973.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Sittipunt, C., Steinberg, K.P., Ruzinski, J.T. Myly, C., Zhu, S., Goodman, R.B., Hudson, L.D., Matelon, S. and Martin, T.R. (2001) Nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine in the lungs of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., 163, 308310.
Szabò, C. (2000) Pathophysiological roles of nitric oxide in inflammation. In Ignarro, L.J. (ed.), Nitric Oxide Biology and Pathobiology. Academic Press, San Diego, USA.
Tan, S., Bose, R. and Derrick, M. (2001) Hypoxiaischemia in fetal rabbit brain increases reactive nitrogen species production: quantitative estimation of nitrotyrosine. Free Radic. Biol. Med., 9, 10451051.[CrossRef]
Ter Steege, J.C., Koster-Kamphuis, L., van Straaten, E.A., Forget, P.P. and Buurman, W.A. (1998) Nitrotyrosine in plasma of celiac disease patients as detected by a new sandwich ELISA. Free Radic. Biol. Med., 25, 953963.[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]
Zini, A., OBryan, M.K., Magid, M.S. and Schlegel, P.N. (1996) Immunohistochemical localization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in human testis, epididymis, and vas deferens suggests a possible role for nitric oxide in spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, and programmed cell death. Biol. Reprod., 55, 935941.[Abstract]
Submitted on May 15, 2002; resubmitted on July 22, 2002; . accepted on September 3, 2002