The time course of nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing ۳ inflammasome complex expressions in the testis tissue of an experimental varicocele rat model: An experimental study

Background: Varicocele is characterized by abnormal dilation of the testicular vein, which results in hypoxia, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and the production of proinflammatory cytokines. It seems that a group of cytosolic receptors named nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing ۳ (NLRP۳) inflammasome, is activated and involved in the pathogenesis of varicocele. Objective: We aim to determine the time course of NLRP۳ inflammasome expression in the testis tissue following varicocele induction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ۳۶ adult Wistar rats (۸ wk, ۲۰۰-۲۵۰ gr) were used. For the varicocele induction, the left renal vein was partially ligated. The mRNA levels of NLRP۳, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and caspase-۱ were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction at ۱, ۲, ۴, ۸, and ۱۲ wk after varicocele induction. Results: Results showed that the gene expression of NLRP۳ inflammasome component including NLRP۳, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, and caspase-۱ did not alter during week ۱, ۲, ۴, and ۸ after operation (p = ۰.۰۹). ۱۲ wk after varicocele induction, gene expression levels were significantly up-regulated (p = ۰.۰۲). Conclusion: Our data provides clear evidence that varicocele stimulates inflammasome activation in the testis tissue ۱۲ wk after the operation, and this time is required for investigating NLRP۳ activity in the varicocele rat model.

کلیدواژه ها:

Varicocele ، Inflammasomes ، NLRP۳ ، Rat. ، واریکوسل ، اینفلامازوم ، NLRP۳ ، رت.