ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the role of ERK1/2 in the central pathogenesis of migraine.Methods Healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:normal group (group C),sham operation group(group C),migraine model group(group M),DMSO group (group D)and PD-98059group (PD group),with 12 rats in each group.The extracellular discharge frequency in the spinal trigeminal nucleus was recorded and ERK1/2 phosphorylation was tested.Results (1) The percentage of extracellular discharge frequency change:Two hours after treatment,the percentage of discharge frequency change was (325.9±47.32)％.The percentage of extracellula discharge frequency change in group M (325.9±47.3)％ was higher than that in group N (100.0± 0.0) ％ and group C(107.3± 16.4)％.There was no significant difference in the percentage of discharge frequency change between group D(319.3±42.5) ％ and group M (325.9±47.3) ％.The percentage of discharge frequency change in group PD(218.5±31.7)％ was lower than that in group M(325.9±47.3)％ and group D(319.3± 42.5)％.(2) ERK1/2 phosphorylation:the ERK1/2 phosphorylation in group M and group D was higher than that in group N and group C.There was no significant difference in ERK1/2 phosphorylation between group D and group M.The ERK1/2 phosphorylation in group PD was lower than the other four groups.Conclusion During the process of central sensitization to migraine,neuronal excitability and ERK1/2 phosphorylation were increased.ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and neuronal excitability.These indicated that ERK1/2 may play a role in central sensitization of migraine in rats.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the abnormal changes in the testes and semen parameters in patients with varicose veins and analyze the possible relationship between clinical varicocele and infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively reviewed the records of 172 male patients consulting for varicocele in our hospital since 2003. All these patients were examined for the size of the testes with scrotal ultrasound. The semen samples of the patients with varicocele except for 5 under the age of 17 years were collected and analyzed, using the data of semen analyses of 163 healthy young male volunteers (aged 18-29 years) as control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 172 patients had left-sided varicose veins. Sixty-three patients were found to have bilateral varicocele, and in most of them, the clinical grades of the left-sided varicose veins were higher than those of the right-sided ones. The mean volume of the left testis of the patients was 10.99∓3.71 ml, significantly smaller than that of the right one (11.86∓4.05 ml, P<0.01). The physiochemical indices of the patients, including the voiding volume, semen pH, liquefaction time and sperm concentration, were normal or similar with those of the healthy volunteers (P>0.05). Almost all the patients sperm motility and viability were significantly lower than those of the healthy volunteers (P<0.05). In addition, no significant difference was found in the sperm density, motility or viability between the patients with unilateral and bilateral varicocele (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Varicocele may decrease the testicular volume. Both unilateral and bilateral varicocele may have an effect on the bilateral testes to cause possible functional impairment of the testes manifested by decreased sperm motility and viability.</p>