Horm Metab Res 2013; 45(05): 344-348
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1329988
Original Basic
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Antihypertensive Drugs on Angiotensinase Activities in the Testis of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

A. B. Segarra
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
,
I. Prieto
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
,
A. B. Villarejo
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
,
I. Banegas
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
,
R. Wangensteen
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
,
M. de Gasparo
2   Cardiovascular & Metabolic Syndrome Adviser, Rossemaison, Switzerland
,
F. Vives
3   Instituto de Neurociencia ‘Federico Oloriz’, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
,
M. Ramírez-Sánchez
1   Department of Health Sciences, Unit of Physiology, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain
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Publikationsverlauf

received 11. September 2012

accepted 22. Oktober 2012

Publikationsdatum:
07. Dezember 2012 (online)

Abstract

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent adverse effect during antihypertensive therapy. However, the mechanisms responsible for these effects are not well understood. The renin-angiotensin system has been identified in testis where it may play a role in testicular function and be involved in the detrimental effects of antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, our objective was to compare the influence of captopril and propranolol on plasma testosterone levels and on hydrolyzing angiotensin’s enzymes (angiotensinases) in the testis of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and in control animals. Twenty-four adult male SHRs were used in this study; eight were treated with captopril in drinking water, 8 with propranolol, and 8 were controls. At the end of the 4 weeks treatment period, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded, blood samples were collected, and the right testis was dissected after perfusion of the rat with saline. The soluble (Sol) and membrane-bound (MB) fractions were obtained after solubilization and ultracentrifugation. Fluorometric measurement of Sol and MB angiotensinase activities were performed using arylamide derivatives as substrates. Testosterone was measured by enzyme immunoassay. SBP decreased after captopril but did not change with propranolol treatment. Whereas captopril did not affect angiotensinase activities, highly significant reductions in Sol and MB angiotensinase activities, particularly glutamyl- and aspartyl-aminopeptidases, were observed after treatment with propranolol. Plasma testosterone decreased in captopril treated rats but propranolol had a greater effect. The present results support a general functional depression of the RAS cascade in the testis of propranolol-treated SHR, which may influence the sexual function of these animals.

 
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