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Objective To investigate the protective effect of icariin against varicocele-induced damage on rat epididymis. Methods Forty adolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), experimental varicocele (EV) group (n=15), icariin (ICA) therapy group (n=15). Experimental varicocele model in the EV group and ICA group was established. The EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The rats in the control group underwent a sham operation that separated the spermatic vessels without ligation. Each rat in the control group and EV group was lavaged with 2 mL physiological saline every day for 6 weeks. Each rat in the ICA group was lavaged with icariin [100 mg/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. Rats in all groups were executed after 6 weeks. The contents of sialic acid were measured by spectrophotometry. Carnitine concentrations were measured by DTNB. HE stain was used to observe the microstructure changes in the epididymal tissue. Electron microscopy was used for observing the ultrastructural changes of the epididymis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to detect the apoptosis of the epididymal epithelium. Results Compared with the control group, the microstructure and ultrastructure of the epididymis in EV group showed pathological damage. Compared with the EV group, the damage of the epididymal microstructure and ultrastructure significantly alleviated. Apoptosis index (AI) of epididymal epithelium in the EV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). However, AI of epididymal epithelium in the ICA group was significantly lower than that in the EV group (P < 0.01). The sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the EV group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), respectively. However, the sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the ICA group was significantly higher than that in the EV group (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion This study indicates that varicocele could result in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and icariin decreased the varicocele-induced apoptosis , suggesting that varicocele could damage the structure and function of epididymis, which can be repaired by icariin.
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BACKGROUND: Soft tissue filling is a problem in clinic. It has been proved that ultrasonic wave-treated mature adipocytes cannot be used for cell transplantation.It is hopeful to solve the problem with adipose tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ultrasonic wave on the in vitro culture and proliferation of preadipocytes, and validate the possibility of preadipocyte as seed cell in adipose tissue engineering following ultrasound-assisted liposuction. DESIGN: Controlled observation experiment. SETTING: Department of Plastic Surgery, Rennin Hospital, Wuhan University. MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out in the Medical College of Wuhan University from July 2003 to September 2004. One local 3-month-old hybridized pig was provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Medical College of Wuhan University. After the pig was anesthetized with ketamine, an area of 10 cm×20 cm was labeled on both sides of back respectively, and the tissue in the labeled area was harvested. The tissue on the right side served as experimental group and that on the left side served as control group. METHODS: The tissue of the expedmental group was pretreated for 8 minutes by ultrasonic wave with the energy of 3W/cm2. Under aseptic condition, the skin layer was open, and 100 g subcutaneous adipose tissue was resected from each side and then placed in prepared container containing cold D-hanks solution for later use. The ultrasonic wave-treated porcine preadipocytes of adipose tissue of experimental group were isolated and cultured in vitro, and the number and lipid content of preadipocytes were measured every other 2 days. Results were presented as the mean val ue of the number of cells of three wells. In the control group, pretreatment of ultrasonic wave was omitted. The growth curves of two groups were drawn. Intracellular adipose content was measured by oil red O staining. Absorbance (A) was measured with spectrophotometer (HITACHI G2000), which was regulated at the wavelength of 510 nm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Morphological observation of culture of porcine preadipocytes. ②The growth curves of experimental and control groups. ③3 Change in the lipid content of experimental and control groups.RESULTS: ① Cells in the control group adhered to the wall within 6 to 24 hours, and those in the experimental group basically adhered to the wall after 1 to 2 days, and there were many non-adhesive cells in the exoerimental group. Accumulation of adipose granules in the cells was found in the control group after 4 days and that was found in the experimental group after 6 days. On day 12, the cells in the control group basically differentiated into the cells with single lipid drop or multiple lipid drops, and a small amount of natant mature adipocytes were found, while few cells with lipid drop were found in the experimental group. ②Under the condition of the same amount of cells, the cell doubling time of experimental group was about 72 hours and that of control group was 36 hours. After 9-day culture, the number of cells in the experimental group and control group was 13×104 cells/well and 18×104 cells/well, respectively. The rate of cell proliferation of experimental group was very slow. ③Lipid of the experimental group appeared on the 6th day after culture, and that of the control group appeared on the 4th day after culture. The peak value of A was 0.32 and 0.68 in e penmental group and control group respectively.CONCLUSION: Ultrasonic wave has obviously inhibitory effect on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes.The preadipocytes treated by ultrasonic wave are not suitable as seed cells.
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Objective To explore the role of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) on male pattern baldness (MPB). Methods The contents of AR and ER in donor and recipient sites of scalps after hair autografting were determinated in 13 cases of MPB. Fluorescent steroid hormone conjugate technique was employed in this study. Results There was no statistical difference in the contents of AR and ER between donor site and grafted scalps in recipient site. Conclusion After the donor tissues are transplanted to the recipient site (the former baldness site), there is no change in contents of AR and ER. The abnormal change of the content of AR and ER in scalp plays an important role in MPB development.
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Objective To improve survival rate of hair follicle after hair-bearing scalp minigrafting and to investigate the role of microsurgery in this procedure. Methods From 1990 to 2003, 156 cases suffered from male pattern baldness (MPB) and cicatrical baldness (CB) received hair-bearing scalp minigrafting. Moreover microsurgical technique was applied to this procedure. Among of them, the largest alopecia zone was about 12.5 cm ?15 cm. Results Survival rate of transplanted hair follicles was 95% (MPB) and 89% (CB) respectively. Baldness never occured in the former alopecia zone. Survival rate of transplanted hair follicles in CB was significantly higher than that of the former reports. There were 2 cases with abnormal figure of hair margin and 4 cases with unsatisfactory hair direction in hair grafted zone. Hematoma occurred in 2 patients who had no negative effects on hair follicle after hematoma were cleaned. The other cases all obtained satisfactory postoperative appearance. Conclusions Hair-bearing scalp minigrafting, combined with microsurgery technique, can improve survival rate of hair follicle after hair transplantation. Preoperative design, choice of indication and anesthesia, etc. are very important, too.