The Effects Of Intermittent Hypoxia On The Function And Ultrastructure Of Hypothalamic Pituitary Gonadal Axis In R Ats,and The Protective Influence Of Glutathione

Objective:To explore the effects of intermittent hypoxia (IH) on the function and ultrastructure of organic histocyte of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in rats and the protective influence of glutathione, which will provide research foundation for further research on the pathogenesis and further intervention treatment of male sexual dysfunction caused by sleep apnea hypopnea syndrom,to avoid deteriorating even further.Methods:24 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=8), normal control group (NC), intermittent hypoxia group (IH) and intermittent hypoxia combined glutathione intervention group (IH+GSH). After 4 weeks, the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) in serum were measured by radioimmunity method in all rats. Colorimetric method were used to detect concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum. Furthermore, the ultrastructures of hypothalamus, pituitary and testis were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results:Compared with NC, the level of serum FSH, LH and T were significantly lower in IH group, while the concentrations of MDA, IL-6 and TNF-a were significantly higher, and SOD and GSH-Px activity decreased significantly. Compared with IH group,the level of serum biochemical indices improved in IH+GSH. Correlation analysis showed that sex hormone levels were negatively associated with oxidative stress and inflammation,yet these were positively associated with anti-oxidation factors (P<0.05).Compared with NC, the ultrastructure of hypothalamus, pituitary and testis tissues damaged seriously in IH group, whereas these damaged to a lesser degree in IH+GSH.Conclusion:Intermittent hypoxia can cause the disruption of the function and ultrastructure of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in rats by oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction. GSH has certain protective effect to it.