Androgen Deprivation and Cytoprotective Parameters in Rat Lung

Abstract

The aim was to study the effect of androgen deprivation, focusing on oxidative stress, and cytoprotective markers, in order to better understand the possible causes of pulmonary diseases in elder people. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (Co), a group subjected to castration by simple orchidectomy (Ca) and a group subjected to orchidectomy that received testosterone (100 μg/kg body weight) daily from day 25 to day 30 after castration (Ca + T). Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) and lungs were obtained. We observed a decrease in body weight in the castrated groups. Protein content in BAL was increased in both castrated groups while nitrites did not show differences among the groups. TBARS, Catalase (CAT) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly increased in the castrated group, returning to the control values after the administration of testosterone. AR expression was increased in the castrated groups. Nrf-2 factor was increased in both castrated groups, while NADPH oxidase (NOX) and GPx expression increased in the Ca group but showed a decrease to control values in the Ca+T group. Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) did not show differences among the treatments. The immunohistochemistry showed a decreased expression of Hsp27 and increased expression of Hsp70 The absence of androgens induces oxidative stress in lung, together with changes in the expression of cytoprotective markers. This would lead to weak lung stroma, susceptible to undergo several pulmonary diseases.