Effects of n-acetylcysteine on expression of transient receptor potential melastatin2 (Trpm2) channels in diabetic rat testicular tissue

Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by microvascular and macrovascular complications. At diabetic males, apoptosis increases at germ cells in testes due to increased oxidative stress and testicular dysfunctions occurs. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), is a molecule containing sulfhydryl groups exhibits antioxidant properties. The aim of this study is determine the effects of NAC on apoptotic changes and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) expression in the rat testis tissue at STZ induced DM. Material and Method: We used 28 male 8-10 weeks old Wistar albino rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups each contains 7 rats. No application was made to control group 8 weeks. To NAS group, 100mg/kg NAC was enjected intraperitoneally (ip) . To diabetic group 50 mg/kg streptozocin (STZ) that was dissolved in phosphate-citrate buffer was injected. In diabetes + NAC group, 50 mg/kg STZ was injected and NAC was given 100 mg/kg/day orally after confirmed of diabetes. Finally rats were decapitated and testis tissues were removed. For MDA and TRPM2 mRNA levels, the testicular tissues were stored at 80 C until the end of study. With routine procedures, tissues were embedded in paraphine blockes. For detecting apoptotic cells TUNEL method and for TRPM2 immunreactivity ''avidin-biotin-peroxidase'' method was applied. Results: In our study there were no significant differences about analyzed parameters between NAC group and the control group. Compared with control group MDA and apoptosis were increased significantly at diabetic group but TRPM2 levels were decreased. Compared with diabetic group MDA and apoptosis were decreased significantly at diabet+NAS group but TRPM2 levels were increased. Conclusion: As a result, experimental diabetes increases MDA and apoptotic cells, decreases TRPM2 levels at testis tissue, administration of NAC as treatment decreases MDA and apoptotic cells. We concluded, more experimental studies with different duration of diabetes are needed to clarify the effects of diabetes in the pathophysiology of testicular tissue damage Key words: Diabetes mellitus, NAC Testis, TRPM2, Rat