Risk and protection of fertility in male cancer patients / 中华男科学杂志

Gonad damage is one of the major complications of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery in male cancer patients. For those who wish for childbearing after treatment, it is of great significance how to protect the reproductive function of the cancer patients. The main strategy for fertility protection is to optimize the treatment protocol, hormone therapy, antioxidant therapy, and the preservation of sperm and testicular tissue. This article presents an overview on the pathogenesis of gonadal damage induced by different treatments and protection of the reproductive function of the patient.

Bisphenol A alters glucose metabolism in rat Sertoli cells in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of different concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) on glucose metabolism and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro and investigate the mechanisms of BPA inducing male infertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using two-step enzyme digestion, we isolated Sertoli cells from male Wistar rats and constructed a primary Sertoli cell system, followed by immunohistochemical FasL staining. We randomly divided the Sertoli cells into a control group to be cultured in the serum-free minimal essential medium (MEM) plus dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and three experimental groups to be treated with 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA, respectively, in the MEM plus DMSO. After 48 hours of treatment, we measured the proliferation of the cells by CCK-8 assay, determined the concentrations of metabolites by NMR spectroscopy, and detected the expression of LDH in the Sertoli cells by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The purity of the isolated Sertoli cells was (96.05 ± 1.28)% (n = 10). Compared with the control group, the 100 nmol/L, 10 μmol/L, and 1 mmol/L BPA groups showed no remarkable changes in the proliferation of Sertoli cells ([98 ± 8]%, [96 ± 3]%, and [95 ± 3]%, P >0.05), but the 10 μmol/L and 1 mmol/L of BPA groups exhibited significantly decreased concentrations of intracellular glucose ([3.89 ± 0.07] vs [3.36 ± 0.24] and [3.04 ± 0.21] pmol/cell, P <0.05) and lactate ([0.43 ± 0.06] vs [0.29 ± 0.05] and [0.20 ± 0.03] pmol/cell, P <0.05). The expression of LDH mRNA was decreased with the increased concentration of BPA, while that of LDH protein reduced only in the 1 mmol/L BPA group (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High-concentration BPA decreases the expression of LDH and alters glucose metabolism in Sertoli cells, and therefore may reduce the provision of lactate for germ cells and impair spermatogenesis.</p>

Comparison of 3 microsurgical approaches to the treatment of varicocele: report of 120 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies, inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen analysis among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean operation time was significantly longer in group III ( [55 +/- 6 ] min) than in I ([35 +/- 10] min) and II ([42 +/- 12] min) (P<0.05), while the rate of post-operative complications remarkably higher in group I (4 cases of hydrocele [10% ] and 3 cases of epididymitis [7.5%]) than in II (2 cases of hydrocele [5%] and 2 cases of epididymitis [5%]) and III (1 case of hydrocele [2.5%] and 1 case of epididymitis [2.5%]) (P<0.05). Six to 12 (mean 9) months of follow-up visit found 2 cases (5% ) of recurrence in group I, 1 case (2.5%) in group II and none in group III, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). At 12 months after surgery, group III showed significantly higher sperm concentration, grade a +b sperm and the sperm motility than the other two (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in these parameters among the three groups preoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a microsurgical approach to the treatment of varicocele, LL is better than IHL and RHL of internal spermatic veins in improving the seminal parameters of the patients.</p>

Improving effect of Shengjingsan on spermatogenic function following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats and its mechanism / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Shengjingsan on spermatogenic function following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats and its action mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty SD male rats were equally randomized to groups A (sham operation), B (control), C (low-dose Shengjingsan), D (medium-dose Shengjingsan) and E (high-dose Shengjingsan). The model of testicular torsion was established by 720 degrees clockwise torsion of the left testis for 4 hours. An hour before operation, the rats of group B received daily gavage of normal saline at 1 ml per kg per d, while those in groups C, D and E that of Shengjingsan at 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 g per kg per d, all for 35 days. Then all the rats were sacrificed for measuring the semen parameters by CASA and detecting the expression of the CatSper1 gene in the sperm by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, Sperm concentration, the percentage of grade a + b sperm, sperm vitality and CatSper1 expression were significantly lower in group B ([15.30 +/- 6.30] %, [44.42 +/- 6.36] %, [21.00 +/- 6.14] x 10(6)/ml and 1.12 +/- 0.50) than in A ([51.30 +/- 6.60]%, [69.01 +/- 7.20]%, [40.53 +/- 7.01] x 10(6)/ml and 2.04 +/- 0.77) (P < 0.01). Compared with group B, the four parameters were increased remarkably in groups D ([51.63 +/- 3.20] %, [72.09 +/- 2.20]%, [55.30 +/- 5.90] x10(6)/ml and 2.11 +/- 0.20) andE ([55.93 +/- 3.17]%, [73.01 +/- 2.11]%, [58.33 + 4.90] x 10(6)/ml and 2.31 +/- 0.17) (P < 0.01), but not significantly in C ([18.02 +/- 0.23]%, [48.04 +/- 7.01]%, [22.87 +/- 2.10] x 10(6)/ml and 1.19 +/- 0.51) (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Shengjingsan can improve sperm parameters following testicular torsion/ detorsion in male rats by regulating their spermatogenic function and improving the expression of CatSper1 in the sperm.</p>

Study on quality evaluation of Sparganii rhizoma by biopotency determination method / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for determining anticoagulation potency of Sparganii Rhizoma, and evaluate the effect of Sparganii Rhizoma herbs from different producing areas on promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis; and study the material basis of Sparganii Rhizoma through the correlation analysis on its anticoagulation potency, ferulic acid and total flavonoid content.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The anticoagulation time of Sparganii Rhizoma from different producing areas with activeated partial thromboplastin time for their active extracts. Their biopotency was calculated by using the method of "parallel lines of dose effect" (3, 3). The degree of correlation between their anticoagulation potency and chemical constituents were calculated by using Pearson correlational analysis method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Sparganii Rhizoma and is control drugs had a good linear relationship between dose and effect (Y = 172.76X - 193.39, R2 = 0.9955). The method had better accuracy (RSD 4.7%), repeatability (RSD 2.3%) and intermediate precision (RSD 5.4%), finding that the biopotency of Sparganii Rhizoma from different producing areas ranged between 52.33-238.58 U x g(-1), and all of them passed the test on reliability. The results of correlation analysis showed no remarkable relationship between the anticoagulation potency of Sparganii Rhizoma and the contents of the two chemical constituents.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This biopotency determination method established in the experiment can be used as one of approaches for qulaity evaluation on Sparganii Rhizoma.</p>

High temperature reduces the proliferation of and occludin expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the action mechanisms of temperature in male infertility or subfertility by observing the effects of different temperatures on the proliferation of and occludin (OCLN) expression in rat Sertoli cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We isolated Sertoli cells from the testis of male Wistar rats, and performed oil red O staining and immunohistochemistry to identify their FasL. We cultured the Sertoli cells at 34 degrees C (control group) and at 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 degrees C (experimental groups) for 4 days. Then we measured their proliferation by CCK-8 assay, observed their morphology and structure by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and determined their OCLN expression level by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The purity of the isolated Sertoli cells was (96.20 +/- 1.95)%. CCK-8 assay indicated that the proliferation of the Sertoli cells was increased between 34 and 36 degrees C, and decreased at 36-39 degrees C. The pyknotic nuclei and fragmentation of the Sertoli cells were more obvious at > 36 degrees C. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed the highest level of OCLN expression at 36 degrees C, which, however, decreased while the temperature rose above 36 degrees C (P < 0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High temperature (> 36 degrees C) inhibited the proliferation of rat Sertoli cells in vitro, and decreased the expression of OCLN, which suggests that a higher temperature above 36 degrees C may reduce male fertility by affecting the proliferation of Sertoli cells and integrity of the tight junction among Sertoli cells or Sertoli cells and other cells.</p>

Decreased mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of varicocele patients and their implication / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relationship of varicocele (VC) with the expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of VC patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the WHO criteria, we examined the semen samples by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and divided the samples into groups A (normal semen from volunteers, n = 20), B (normal semen from VC patients, n = 16) and C (abnormal semen from VC patients, n = 44). We optimized the semen by discontinuous Percoll grade centrifugation, and determined the mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the three groups using using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, the mRNA expressions of alpha1H and alpha1G showed with no significant decrease in group B (P>0.05), but were remarkably reduced in group C (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The abnormal mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G may be one of the causes of declined semen quality and consequently infertility in VC patients, which has pointed out a new direction for the studies of the causes and treatment of VC-related infertility.</p>

Endoscopic treatment of middle fossa arachnoid cysts / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate and evaluate the effectiveness of neuroendoscopic therapy for arachnoid cysts of middle cranial fossa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2004 to June 2009, 32 patients with arachnoid cysts of middle cranial fossa who were treated with endoscopic cystocisternal fenestration were retrospectively analyzed. There were 21 male patients and 11 female patients, aged from 6 months to 39 years. The clinical and neuroradiological presentation, indications, surgical technique, complications, and clinical and neuroradiological follow-up were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cysts were reduced in size in 20 patients and completely disappeared in 4 patients. For the 27 patients with symptoms before operation, the symptoms disappeared in 8 cases and improved in 17 cases after operation. There were asymptomatic subdural hydroma in 4 patients, intracranial infection and incision cerebro-spinal fluid leakage in 1 patient respectively. The complication incidence rate was 18.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endoscopic fenestration is an effective treatment for symptomatic arachnoid cysts of middle cranial fossa and could be performed as the first surgical choice for these patients.</p>

Studies on chemical constituents in n-butyl alcohol extract of roots of Actinidia deliciosa in Guangxi / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of n-butyl alcohol extract in the roots of Actinidia deliciosa in Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents were separated with various chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and the analysis of their spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were isolated and identified as eriantic acid B (1), 2alpha, 3beta, 24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 2alpha, 3alpha, 23-tri-hydroxyursa-12, 20 (30)-dien-28-oic acid (4), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyursa-12, 20 (30)-dien-28-oic acid (5), n-butyl-O-beta-D-fruto-pyranoside (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-4, 6 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 6 was obtained from the genus Actinidia for the first time.</p>

Effect of varicocelectomy with hyperbaric oxygenation in treating infertile patients with varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effects of combination of varicocelectomy with hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) in treating infertile patients with varicocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six patients were randomly divided into two groups: 40 patients in group A treated by varicocelectomy with HBO, and 56 in group B treated by solitary varicocelectomy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sperm density, sperm motility, sperm vigor, normality, serum testosterone, the pregnant rate of patients spouses were improved respectively in both two groups (P <0.01 or P < 0.05), and group A had better results than group B (P < 0.05). LH, FSH in group A decreased significantly after the therapy. Group A had higher sperm penetration asay (SPA) percentages than group B(P < 0.05), and the pregnant time of patient's spouses in group A was earlier than that in group B (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Varicocelectomy with HBO can more effectively regulate reproductive hormone, improve semen quality, SPA index and pregnant rate than solitary varicocelectomy in treating infertile patients with varicocele and can markedly shorten the pregnant time.</p>

Phalloidin plays an important role in calcium ionophore A23187-induced human acrosome reaction / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the important role of actin polymerization in calcium ionophore A23187-induced human acrosome reaction and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Each spermatozoon specimen was divided into five groups, treated with A23187 3 micromol/L in Group A, Phalloidin 40 micromol/L and A23187 3 micromol/L in Group B, SLO 0.5 U/ml and A23187 3 micromol/L in Group C, SLO 0.5 U/ ml, Phalloidin 40 micromol/L and A23187 3 micromol/L in Group D, and nothing added in Grpup E. Then the percentage of the human acrosome reaction was assessed with Rhodamine-PSA (10 microg/ml).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The difference of the human spermatozoon acrosome reaction was significant (P < 0.01) among the 5 groups with or without SLO, Phalloidin and calcium ionophore A23187 but not between Groups A and B (P > 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phalloidin does not work on the acrosome reaction of intact human spermatozoa, but in an SLO-permeabilized human spermatozoal model, it can obviously decrease the percentage of human spermatozoon acrosome reaction, which indicates that the polymerization of actin plays an important role in the course of human spermatozoon acrosome reaction, and mostly acts on the acrosome inside.</p>

Study on the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica in Nantong, Jinagsu Province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica and its virulence factors in Nantong, Jiangsu.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Yersinia strains were isolated from livestock and poultry. Conventional PCR was used to detect the virulence factors of all strains and strain 0:8 was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(PFGE).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The combined isolation rate of Yersinia enterocolitica from livestock and poultry was 31.06% and the gene distribution characters were: 39.57% of them were ail-, ystA- , ystB-, yadA- , virF-; 60.43% were ail- , ystA- , ystB + , yadA- , virF- respectively. The two reference strains from America and Denmark showed similar electrophoresis patterns but were significantly different with O:8 strains isolated from China while the serotypes of Yersinia enterocolitica O:3 and O:9 which were the main epidemic strains in China, were not found in this area.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitis O:3 and O:9 were not found in Nantong,Jiangsu province.</p>