Effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the MAPK signaling pathway in SD rats with asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. Meanwhile the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups were gavaged with QJT at 6700, 3300 and 1700 mg/kg/d, respectively, qd 6 days a week for 20 days. Then the testis issue and the apoptosis of the testicular cells were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of vimentin in the testis was determined with the immunohistochemical SP method, that of ERK1/2 detected by Western blot, and the concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen measured by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The AS model controls showed round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, broken or lost mitochondria, and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum in the testis tissue. In comparison, the rats of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups exhibited round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, and well-structured mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome, which were all similar those of the blank controls. Compared with the blank controls, the AS model rats manifested significantly increased expressions of ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.26 ± 0.10, P<0.01) and vimentin (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.01, P<0.01) and apoptosis rate of cells in the testis tissue (［9.20 ± 3.07］ vs ［42.20 ± 9.17］ %, P<0.01), but decreased level of TGF-β1 in the semen (［627.67 ± 26.07］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P<0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats of the high- and medium- -dose QJT groups presented remarkably down-regulated expressions of ERK1/2 (1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.14 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.18 ± 0.05, P<0.05) and vimentin (0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P<0.01; 0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.09, P<0.05) and decreased rate of cell apoptosis (［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［21.60 ± 5.94］ %, P<0.01; ［42.20 ± 9.17］ vs ［33.95 ± 6.39］ %, P<0.05). The concentration of TGF-β1 in the semen was markedly lower in the high-dose QJT than in the AS model control group (［621.78 ± 30.80］ vs ［566.73 ± 68.44］ ng/ml, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Qiangjing Tablets could improve semen quality in asthenospermia rats by acting against oxidative stress.</p>

Inhibitory effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the Fas/FasL pathway of cell apoptosis in male SD rats with infertility / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Models of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively. After 4 weeks of medication, the rats were killed for examination of semen quality and determination of the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank controls, the model rats showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([71.99 ± 9.72] vs [10.94 ± 3.58] x 10⁶/ml, P < 0.01), motility ([48.95 ± 4.10] vs [9.31 ± 5.79]%, P < 0.01), and viability ( [82.06 ± 6.16] vs [24.03 ± 6.93]%, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the rats in the QJT groups exhibited remarkably increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability, more significantly in the high-dose group ([59.66 ± 4.53] x 10⁶/ml, [35.45 ± 5.21] %, and [61.97 ± 9.75]%) and medium-dose group ([40.89 ± 4.90] x 10⁶/ml, [24.41 ± 4.79]%, and [60.06 ± 10.62]%) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of FasL was markedly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose QJT groups (0.5215 ± 0.0189, 0.5371 ± 0.0364, and 0.4556 ± 0.0215) as compared with that of the model controls (0.5989 ± 0.0448 ) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By upregulating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, Tripterygium glycosides may induce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and reduce sperm concentration, motility and viability, resulting in infertility. The Chinese medicine Qiangjing Tablets can improve the reproductive function of male rats by decreasing the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis.</p>

Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin: an efficacious therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.</p>

Correlation of IPSS with IL-8 and COX-2 levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the correlation of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with the levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the prostate tissue and expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by prostatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We divided 80 BPH patients to be treated by transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) into a simple BPH group (n = 30) and a BPH with prostatitis group (n = 50) based on the pathologic features. We statistically analyzed IPSS and the levels of IL-8 and COX-2 in EPS before surgery and the IL-8 and COX-2 levels in the prostate tissue after surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IPSS was positively correlated with the IL-8 and COX-2 levels in the prostate tissue and EPS of the BPH patients, moderately in the simple hyperplasia group (r > 0.5) and highly in the other (r > 0.8). The levels of IL-8 and COX-2 in the prostate tissue and EPS were significantly higher in the BPH with prostatitis group than in the simple BPH group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The levels of IL-8 and COX-2 in EPS indirectly reflect those in the prostate tissue. IPSS and the levels of IL-8 and COX-2 in EPS can help determine whether BPH is complicated by histological prostatic inflammation.</p>