RESUMO

This work evaluates adenosine effects on Sertoli cell functions, which are different to those resulting from occupancy of purinergic receptors. The effects of adenosine and N(6)-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) - an A(1) receptor agonist resistant to cellular uptake - on Sertoli cell physiology were compared. Adenosine but not CHA increased lactate production, glucose uptake, GLUT1, LDHA and MCT4 mRNA levels, and stabilized ZO-1 protein at the cell membrane. These differential effects suggested a mechanism of action of adenosine that cannot be solely explained by occupancy of type A(1) purinergic receptors. Activation by adenosine but not by CHA of AMPK was observed. AMPK participation in lactate production and ZO-1 stabilization was confirmed by utilizing specific inhibitors. Altogether, these results suggest that activation of AMPK by adenosine promotes lactate offer to germ cells and cooperates in the maintenance of junctional complex integrity, thus contributing to the preservation of an optimum microenvironment for a successful spermatogenesis.

Assuntos

Adenosina/análogos & derivados , Proteínas Quinases/metabolismo , Células de Sertoli/efeitos dos fármacos , Células de Sertoli/enzimologia , Quinases Proteína-Quinases Ativadas por AMP , Adenosina/farmacologia , Aminoimidazol Carboxamida/análogos & derivados , Aminoimidazol Carboxamida/farmacologia , Animais , Ácido Egtázico/farmacologia , Ativação Enzimática/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Glucose/metabolismo , Proteínas Facilitadoras de Transporte de Glucose/genética , Proteínas Facilitadoras de Transporte de Glucose/metabolismo , Junções Intercelulares/efeitos dos fármacos , Junções Intercelulares/metabolismo , Isoenzimas/genética , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/genética , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/metabolismo , Lactato Desidrogenase 5 , Lactatos/metabolismo , Masculino , Transportadores de Ácidos Monocarboxílicos/genética , Transportadores de Ácidos Monocarboxílicos/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Ribonucleotídeos/farmacologia , Células de Sertoli/metabolismo