Effects of Yishen Shengjing Capsules on semen quality and gonadal hormone levels in rats with dibutyl phthalate-induced reproductive function injury / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To study the possible pathogenesis of infertility caused by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and investigate the effects of Yishen Shengjing Capsules (YSC, kidney-tonifying and essence-producing capsules) on DBP-induced reproductive function injury and its possible action mechanisms in male Wistar rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Models of DBP-induced reproductive function injury were made in 80 male Wistar rats and another 20 were used as blank controls. After modeling, the model rats were randomly divided into a model control, a high-dose YSC, a medium-dose YSC, and a low-dose YSC group. Four weeks after intervention, all the animals were sacrified for observation of the histomorphologic changes in the testis under the light microscope, measurement of sperm concentration, motility and abnormality, and determination of the levels of serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank controls, the model rats showed obvious pathological changes in testicular histomorphology, significantly decreased sperm concentration and motility, increased sperm abnormality, reduced contents of serum T and LH, and elevated the level of serum FSH (P<0.01). After 4 weeks of medication, the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose YSC groups, in comparison with the model controls, exhibited different degrees of recovery from testicular histomorphological damage, remarkably increased sperm concentration and motility, decreased sperm abnormality, elevated levels of serum T and LH, and reduced content of serum FSH (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in all the parameters above between the high-dose YSC and medium- and low-dose YSC groups (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>DBP reduces sperm motility and concentration, increases sperm abnormality, causes damage to the morphological structure of the rat testis, decreases the contents of serum T and LH, and elevates the level of the serum FSH. Yishen Shengjing Capsules can improve DBP-induced productive function injury, increase sperm motility and concentration, decrease sperm abnormality, elevate the level of serum T and LH, reduce the content of serum FSH, improve the morphological structure of the testis, and thus promote the reproductive function of the male rat.</p>

Effects of Qiangjing Capsule on the oxidative and antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qiangjing Capsule (QC) on the oxidative amd antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats in comparison with those of Shaofuzhuyu Capsule (SC) and Wuziyanzong Capsule (WC), and to explore its possible mechanism of enhancing epididymal sperm maturation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten of 100 adolescent male SD rats were randomized to a sham-operation group, and varicocele models were successfully established in 72 of the other 90 by narrowing of the left renal vein. Then the model rats were equally assigned to 6 groups: model control, high-dose QC (0.216 g/ml), medium-dose QC (0.108 g/ml), low-dose QC (0.054 g/ml), SC (0.146 g/ml), and WC (0.130 g/ml). After 4 weeks of treatment, we determined the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the left epididymis of different groups of rats.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significant decrease in GPx activity (P < 0.01) and a marked increase in the MDA level (P < 0.05). And the high-dose QC group exhibited a significantly hither GPx activity and lower MDA level than all the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Varicocele can reduce the activity of GPx and elevate the level of MDA in the epididymis of rats, while Qiangjing Capsule can increase the former and decrease the latter, and thereby may improve epididymal microenvironment, enhance epididymal sperm maturation and promote fertility.</p>

Xiaojin Wan inhibits the expression of COX-2 in prostate tissues of prostatitis pain rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Xiaojin Wan on the expression of COX-2 in the prostate tissues of rats with prostatitis pain, and the action mechanism of the drug alleviating the prostatitis pain.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups, 10 as blank controls, injected with aqua pro injection into the ventral part of prostate, and the other 50 as prostatitis pain models, given complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three days later, the pain model rats were again equally divided into 5 subgroups: model control, Celecoxib Capsules, high-, median- and low-dose Xiaojin Wan, receiving intragastric administration of distilled water, Celecoxib Capsules and different doses of Xiaojin Wan respectively for 4 weeks. Then they were killed, the harvested tissues fixed with 10% paraformaldehyde and the changes of the COX-2 expression in the prostate detected with the immunohistochemical technique and graphics video analysis system.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of COX-2 was strong in the model group, significantly lower in the high- and median-dose and the Celecoxib Capsules groups than in the model control (P < 0.01) as well as in the high-dose than in the median- and low-dose groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xiaojin Wan may alleviate prostatitis pain by inhibiting the expression of COX-2 in prostate tissues.</p>

The microstructure studies of penile cavernous tissue of erectile dysfunction rat models with chronic renal failure / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of erectile dysfunction (ED) in rat models with chronic renal failure (CRF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chronic renal failure was induced by adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were subjected to an excisional 5/6 nephrectomy. The rats in NCRF group and CRF group were divided into three groups randomly. Injected with apomorphine(APO, 80 microg/kg), penile erections of three groups were observed and noted by the 2nd week, 4th week respectively and 6th week from the 14th day of 5/6 nephrectomy and experimental models of ED with CRF were selected; NOS activity was examined and the microstructures of penile were observed under optical microscope with computer configuration image analysis system in selected rat models.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the areas of smooth muscle and NOS activity in the penile cavernous tissue of ED rats with CRF decreased significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) , and collagen fibers slightly increased, and these alterations had close correlations with the duration of CRF. The</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Penile erection is seriously affected in rats with CRF. The decreases of areas of blood sinus had no obvious changes. the number of smooth muscles and NOS activity might be the most important factors.</p>

Angiogenesis and regulatory factors in rats with BPH induced by testosterone / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study angiogenesis and regulatory factors in the proliferated prostatic tissues of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with BPH induced by testosterone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixteen castrated SD rats, aged 8 weeks and weighing 200 approximately 250 g, were equally randomized into a model group and a control group, and the BPH model was established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone. Immunohistochemistry and MIAS (micro-image analysis system) were used to test the manifestations of MVD (microvessel density), VEGF (vascular endothelium growth factor), flk-1, endostatin, MMP-2 (matrix metalloproteinase-2) and TIMP-2 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2) in the prostatic tissues of both the model and the control groups. Multiple linear regression with the stepwise method was adopted to analyze the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The manifestations of MVD, VEGF, flk-1, MMP-2, MMP-2/TIMP-2 and VEGF/endostatin in the model group were higher, while that of endostatin was lower than in the control group (P < 0.01), and the manifestation of TIMP-2 showed no statistical difference between the two groups. The regression analysis indicated that MVD was positively correlated to VEGF, VEGF/endostatin and MMP-2/TIMP-2 (r = 0.974, 0.986, 0.982, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated to endostatin (r = - 0.975, P < 0.05) .</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Testosterone could induce BPH in SD rats by increasing MVD and promoting the multiplication of vascular endothelial cells after regradation of basement membrane.</p>

Experimental and clinical research of "Keyouling" on treatment of condyloma acuminata / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of traditional Chinese medicine "Keyouling" in treatment of condyloma acuminata (CA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of "Keyouling" at different concentrations on growth and proliferation of rabbits' prepuce epithelial cells and CA warts tissue were assessed by means of cellular primary culture and subculture, and the effects of "Keyouling" at different concentrations on the expression level of HPV6.11 DNA and expression level of HPV6.11 DNA of different area of CA patient's penis were quantitatively detected by means of FQ-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>"Keyouling" had no effect on growth and proliferation of rabbits' prepuce cuticle cells, but it had significant inhibition on CA warts tissue cells and expression of HPV6.11 DNA. Concentrations of "Keyouling" assumed negative correlated with cell proliferation rate of CA warts tissue and expression level of HPV6.11 DNA, and also had significant inhibition on expression of HPV6.11 DNA of negative cutaneous lesion area and cutaneous lesion area of CA patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>"Keyouling" had significant anti HPV6.11 effect, could significantly restrain growth and proliferation of CA warts tissue cells, while it had no damaging effect on normal organic cuticle cells. It was suggested that "Keyouling" was safe in clinical use and had good therapeutic effect on CA and subclinical infection.</p>

New progress in etiological factor study and treatment of erectile dysfunction in chronic renal failure patients / 中华男科学杂志

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) experience a significant decrease in their living quality, due to the limitations imposed by the disease as well as the demands of the treatment that they receive. Some side effects contribute to the morbidity of these patients. Among them, erectile dysfunction (ED) is notable. This article reviews recent advances in etiological factor study and treatment of ED in CRF patients, which may guide the clinic practices in a considerable scale.

Clinical application research of feilinjian peroral liquid in the treatment of Chlamydia and Mycoplasma infectious prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the validity and security of Feilinjian peroral liquid in the treatment of chlamydia trachomatis (CT), mycoplasma hominis (Mh) and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) infectious prostatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two hundred and three patients of CT, Mh or UU infectious prostatitis diagnosed by strict orientation examination were randomly divided into two groups, one given feilinjian peroral liquid, and the other azithromycin perorally, for one month as treatment period.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The analytical results showed that 54 (42.86%) were clinically fully recovered, 32(32.39%) were significantly effective, and 13 (10.31%) were effective in feilinjian peroral liquid group, with total significantly effective rate 68.25% and total effective rate 78.57%, both obviously higher than those in the control group(50.64% and 57.14% respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Feilinjian peroral liquid is significantly better than azithromycin in ameliorating self-conscious symptoms, symptoms scoring of patients with CT, Mh and UU infection, with little side-effects.</p>

Therapeutic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine for chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has its unique therapeutic efforts on chronic prostatitis, a common disease of the adult male. This article systematically reviews several aspects below: anti-inflammation, anti-infection, anti-fibrosis, micro-circulation improvement, urodynamics improvement, immunomodulation, improvement of the pH value of prostatic fluid and percolation dynamics of prostatic drugs, adjustment of the microelement zinc, and the characteristics of TCM therapy. It also points out the gaps in recent researches and the focal points of future development.

Histomorphological studies on hyperplastic prostate of castrated rat caused by androgen / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To investigate prostatic histomorphological changes of rat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After castrated, SD rats were injected subcutaneously testosterone propionate to induce the BPH. Water substitution method was used to measure prostatic volumes. Prostatic tissue were stained by hemoloxylin and eosin, the morphometric changes of glandular and interstitial tissues were semi-quantified by image analysis system. Multiple linear regression was adopted to analyze the results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In comparison with normal group, prostatic volumes were significantly enlarged (P < 0.01) with glands expanded and interstitial tissues increased in BPH model. Glandular average diameters, volumes and surface areas in unit volume, as well as glandular circumferences and glandular relative total volumes were all significantly increased (P < 0.01). Glandular counts, density, ratio of glandular surface area to volume. And glandular average curvature were all declined (P < 0.05-0.01), so was interstitial circumference (P < 0.01). But volume density had no changes, and relative total interstitial volumes were obviously increased. Prostatic volume was significantly correlated with glandular relative total volume (r = 0.989, P < 0.001) and interstitial relative total volume(r = 0.789, P < 0.001). Prostatic volume was also correlated significantly with glandular average volume(r = 0.789, P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Action of androgen on rat prostate may mainly lie in glandular epithelial hyperplasia, which manifests enlargement of glandular lumen accompanied by hyperplasia of interstitial tissues.</p>