Arak University Cell and Tissue Journal 2228-7035 13 3 2023 01 30 Effect of duloxetine as antidepressant on TM4 Sertoli cells: Evaluation of Bax and Cx43 gene expression Effect of duloxetine as antidepressant on TM4 Sertoli cells: Evaluation of Bax and Cx43 gene expression 235 247 697959 10.52547/JCT/13.3.235 FA M Makvandian M.Sc., Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran M Azarnia Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University E Amini Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University H Zeinali Ph.D., Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran 0000-0002-9238-4245 A Niknejad Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2023 01 30 <strong>Aim:</strong> One of main challenges in worldwide is increasing rate of depression and sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant drug consumption. Regarding the role of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis, this study investigated the effect of duloxetine on viability, apoptosis and expression of Bax and Cx43 (Connexin 43) expression in Sertoli cells.<br /><strong>Material and Methods</strong>: TM4 Sertoli cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 2.5% FBS, 5% horse serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Cells were treated with different doses of duloxetine (3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 µg/ml) for 24 to 72 hours. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. The rate of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR was performed to evaluate of Bax (proapoptotic gene) and Cx43 (essential for spermatogenesis) genes.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Duloxetine reduced cell survival in a dose and time-dependent manner. On the basis of <strong>Aim:</strong> One of main challenges in worldwide is increasing rate of depression and sexual dysfunction associated with antidepressant drug consumption. Regarding the role of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis, this study investigated the effect of duloxetine on viability, apoptosis and expression of Bax and Cx43 (Connexin 43) expression in Sertoli cells.<br /><strong>Material and Methods</strong>: TM4 Sertoli cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium containing 2.5% FBS, 5% horse serum and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. Cells were treated with different doses of duloxetine (3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60 µg/ml) for 24 to 72 hours. MTT assay was performed to evaluate cell viability. The rate of apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR was performed to evaluate of Bax (proapoptotic gene) and Cx43 (essential for spermatogenesis) genes.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> Duloxetine reduced cell survival in a dose and time-dependent manner. On the basis of https://jct.araku.ac.ir/article_697959_5925a9d89e2fcf197eee4668fc01d397.pdf