Alterations in ACE and ABCG2 expression levels in the testes of rats subjected to atropine-induced toxicity

Atropine-induced damage is associated with enzyme and protein alterations. The aim of the present study was to investigate atropine-induced alterations in testicular expression levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) following atropine treatment. Male Wistar rats received 15 mg/kg/day atropine for 7 days; control rats received an identical volume of saline, Following treatment, the testes were harvested for immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization to examine the protein and gene expression levels of ACE and ABCG2 by digital image analysis. ACE gene and protein expression levels were significantly reduced in the testes of atropine-treated rats, compared with control rats (P=0.0001 and P<0.001, respectively). In addition, ABCG2 gene and protein expression levels were significantly increased in the testes of atropine-treated rats, compared with control rats (P=0.0017 and P<0.001, respectively). Thus, the results of the present study demonstrate that testicular protein and gene expression levels of ACE and ABCG2 were altered as a result of atropine-induced toxicity in the rats. These alterations may result in abnormal testicular function, and the proteins and genes identified in the present study may be useful to elucidate the mechanisms underlying atropine-induced toxicity and provide a direction for further studies.