MODULATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES EXPRESSION BY ANDROGENS IN LUNG TISSUE

PACHECO GUIÑAZÚ AB; CIMINARI MARÍA EUGENIA; VALDEZ SUSANA R; ÁLVAREZ SILVINA M; GÓMEZ NN

San Luis

Congreso; Reunión Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2012

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Lungs are very susceptible to injury mediated by free radicals andlipid peroxidation. This injury involves various adhesive andproinflammatory molecules. Also, androgens play a physiologicalrole in pulmonary function. We tested the effect of castration onthe prooxidant-antioxidant balance and lung histoarchitecture.Wistar male rats (200±20g) were separated in three groups: controls(Co), castrated (Ca), and castratedsupplemented with testosterone(Ca+T) for five days. After 30 days rats were killed. Lungswere processed for microscopy and Image J analysis systemwasused. Bronchoalveolar lavages were made and an increase in proteincontent was found (p<0.05) while the nitrite level did notchange. The expression of Androgen Receptor by RT-PCR showedan increase in Ca and a significant decrease in Ca+T. Castrationsignificantly affected the antioxidant status of rat lung, evidencedby an enhanced lipid peroxidation (TBAR’S) (p<0.05). We found asignificant increase in the expression of nrf-2 in Ca, even higher inCa+T. CAT showed a tendency to decrease in Ca, and SOD a tendencyto increase in Ca+T, but these results were not significant.Significant morphometric changes were observed in Ca (p<0.05).We can conclude that androgens play an important role in theprooxidant-antioxidant balance in lung and could be involved inseveral respiratory diseases