Abstract

This research program has as its primary goal the elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for the reduction in fertility experienced by alcohol abusing males. The major hypothesis to be tested is that' alcohol and/or acetaldehyde (ethanol's first metabolic product) or the metabolism of either ethanol or acetaldehyde are immediately responsible for a Sertoli cell dysfunction that leads to failure of the Sertoli cells to adequately supply iron, androgen binding protein, ceruloplasmin, copper and other materials to the developing germ cells within the seminiferous tubules. The tools to be used in this research include: radioimmunoassay, enzyme assay, receptor binding studies, NMR spectroscopy and imaging and the isolation and quantitation of specific messenger RNA species. The majority of the studies will be performed in isolated rat Sertoli cells. A minority of studies will be performed in vivo using the alcohol fed rat and the use of an isocalorically fed control rat. New information applicable to the prevention and/or treatment of alcohol abuse associated infertility will be developed as a result of this research.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AA004425-12
Application #
2043060
Study Section
Biochemistry, Physiology and Medicine Subcommittee (ALCB)
Project Start
1981-03-01
Project End
1993-02-28
Budget Start
1992-03-01
Budget End
1993-02-28
Support Year
12
Fiscal Year
1992
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Surgery
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213

  Publications

Zhu, Q; Meisinger, J; Emanuele, N V et al. (2000) Ethanol exposure enhances apoptosis within the testes. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:1550-6
Deaciuc, I V; Alappat, J M; D'Souza, N B et al. (1998) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha internalization and degradation by isolated hepatocytes of rats exposed to ethanol. Alcohol 16:125-33
Gasbarrini, A; Borle, A B; Caraceni, P et al. (1996) Effect of ethanol on adenosine triphosphate, cytosolic free calcium, and cell injury in rat hepatocytes. Time course and effect of nutritional status. Dig Dis Sci 41:2204-12
Farghali, H; Caraceni, P; Rilo, H L et al. (1996) Biochemical and 31P-NMR spectroscopic evaluation of immobilized perfused rat Sertoli cells. J Lab Clin Med 128:408-16
Caraceni, P; Ryu, H S; van Thiel, D H et al. (1995) Source of oxygen free radicals produced by rat hepatocytes during postanoxic reoxygenation. Biochim Biophys Acta 1268:249-54
Caraceni, P; Van Thiel, D H; Borle, A B (1995) Dual effect of deferoxamine on free radical formation and reoxygenation injury in isolated hepatocytes. Am J Physiol 269:G132-7
Caraceni, P; Rosenblum, E R; Van Thiel, D H et al. (1994) Reoxygenation injury in isolated rat hepatocytes: relation to oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation. Am J Physiol 266:G799-806
Caraceni, P; Gasbarrini, A; Nussler, A et al. (1994) Human hepatocytes are more resistant than rat hepatocytes to anoxia-reoxygenation injury. Hepatology 20:1247-54
Caraceni, P; Yao, T; Degli Esposti, S et al. (1994) Effect of vitamin E on reoxygenation injury experienced by isolated rat hepatocytes. Life Sci 55:1427-32
Gasbarrini, A; Caraceni, P; Farghali, H et al. (1994) Effects of high and low pH on Ca2+i and on cell injury evoked by anoxia in perfused rat hepatocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta 1220:277-85

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