Regulatory Mechanism of Total Glucosides of Paeony on Gut Microenvironment in Non-obese Diabetic Mice with Sjogren's Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of total glucosides of paeony （TGPs） on intestinal motility， barrier function， and gut microbiota in non-obese diabetic （NOD） mice with Sjogren's syndrome （SS）. Method:Thirty NOD mice were randomly assigned into the model group （deionized water）， prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide （FOS） group （700 mg∙kg^-1）， and the low- （160 mg∙kg^-1）， medium- （320 mg∙kg^-1）， and high-dose （640 mg∙kg^-1） TGP groups， with six mice in each group. Moreover， the BALB/c mice were employed as the normal control and administered with deionized water. The food and water intakes， number of discharged fecal particles， and fecal moisture content were observed to evaluate the effect of TGPs on intestinal motility in SS mice. The levels of <italic>D</italic>-lactate （<italic>D</italic>-Lac） content， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and junction-associated protein zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） in mouse serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The fecal samples collected at different time points were determined by spread plate method and gas chromatography for uncovering the intestinal microbial communities and the content of short-chain fatty acids. Result:Compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited decreased food and water intakes （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， weakened intestinal propulsion （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， elevated <italic>D</italic>-Lac and DAO （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， lowered ZO-1 and SCFAs （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and reduced number of intestinal bacteria （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The comparison with the model group revealed that TGPs significantly increased the number of discharged fecal particles and fecal moisture content （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， enhanced intestinal propulsion （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）， decreased serum <italic>D</italic>-Lac and DAO levels （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and up-regulated ZO-1 expression （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Apart from increasing the proportions of <italic>Bifidobacterium</italic> and <italic>Lactobacillus</italic> and decreasing the proportion of<italic> Enterobacter </italic>in intestinal flora （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）， TGPs also accelerated the production of acetic acid and butyric acid （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:TGPs attenuate SS-mediated constipation and restore the impaired intestinal barrier function in mice by increasing fecal moisture content， boosting intestinal motility， regulating intestinal microbial communities， elevating acetic acid and butyric acid levels， and up-regulating tight junction protein expression.

Correlation of the preoperative peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio with the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma / 医学研究生学报

Objective This study aimed to investigate the correlation of the preoperative peripheral blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) with the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 147 cases of LSCC treated by surgical resection in our hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. According to the optimal cut-off value of preoperative LMR in the ROC curve analysis, we divided the patients into a high-LMR and a low-LMR group, analyzed the relationship between LMR and the clinicopathological features, and assessed its influence on the overall survival of the patients. Results The optimal cut-off value of preoperative LMR was 3.24. Of the total number of patients, 81 were found with an LMR ≥ 3.24 (the high-LMR group) and the other 66 with an LMR < 3.24 preoperatively (the high-LMR group). The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were significantly higher in the high-LMR (98.76%, 92.59% and 85.18%) than in the low-LMR group (87.88%, 69.70% and 60.60%) (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model showed that the risk factors influencing the overall survival of the LSCC patients included the N stage (OR = 0.336, 95% CI: 0.149-0.758) and low preoperative LMR (OR = 0.474, 95% CI: 0.248-0.907) (P < 0.05). Conclusion LSCC patients with a higher preoperative LMR have a higher rate of overall survival. The preoperative LMR plays a valuable role in predicting the postoperative survival of LSCC patients.

Effects of Xialiqi Capsules on the expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 in rats withbenign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the effects of Xialiqi Capsules(XLQ) on the expressions of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue of the BPH rat model.@*METHODS@#Fifty male SD ratswereequally randomized into groups A (sham operation control), B (BPH model control), C (high-dose XLQ), D (low-dose XLQ), and E (finasteridecontrol) andthe BPH modelswere established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 0.5 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for 30 days after castration. After modeling, the animals in groups A and B were treated intragastricallywith normal saline, while those in C, D, and E with XLQ at 1.20 and 0.61 g per kilogram of the body weight per day or finasterideat 0.8 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day, respectively, all for 30 days. Then,the bilateral prostates were harvestedfrom the rats for calculation of the prostatic index (prostate wet weight/ body weight) and determination of the expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The prostate wet weight and prostate index were significantly increased in group B as compared with group A, (［1326±60］ vs［471±17］ g, P<0.01; ［2.89±0.18］ vs ［1.06±0.06］ mg/g, P<0.01), but decreased in groups C (［914±36］ g;［2.02±0.08］ mg/g), D (［1 099±46］g;［2.39±0.11］ mg/g), and E (［817±53］ g;［1.83±0.10］ mg/g)in comparison with B (P<0.01), with statistically significant differences among groups C, D, and E(P<0.01) and most significantly in E.The PCNA level in the prostate tissue wasremarkably higher in group B than in A, but lower in groups C, D and E than in B. The expression of caspase-3 was down-regulatedin group B as compared with A, but up-regulated in groups C, D and E in comparison with B, most significantly in E.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Xialiqi Capsules can effectively reduce the prostate wet weight and prostatic index of in rats with BPH by inhibiting the level of PCNA and promoting the expression of caspase-3.

Longjintonglin Capsules for type IIIA prostatitis accompanied by abnormal semen liquefaction: A clinical observation / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Longjintonglin Capsules on type IIIA prostatitis accompanied by abnormal semen liquefaction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We selected 140 patients with type IIIA prostatitis accompanied by abnormal semen liquefaction according to the diagnostic standards of the American Institutes of Health (NIH) and treated them with Longjintonglin Capsules orally 3 capsules once tid for 12 weeks. We obtained the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Indexes (NIH-CPSI), traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome scores, leukocyte count in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS), semen liquefaction time, and the results of semen analysis and compared these indicators before and after the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 140 cases, 132 were included in this study, excluding 8 due to their incomplete case histories. Before and after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of medication, the total NIH-CPSI scores were 24.52 ± 5.43, 21.28 ± 4.85, 18.01 ± 4.28, and 14.49 ± 3.65 (P < 0.01), the TCM syndrome scores were 35.63 ± 6.07, 26.66 ± 5.03, 17.37 ± 4.18, and 11.11 ± 3.96 (P < 0.01), and the leukocyte counts (/HP) were 27.50 ± 7.01, 22.38 ± 5.22, 16:76 ± 4.10, and 11.40 ± 4.74 (P < 0.01), respectively. After 12 weeks of treatment, 31 of the patients with type IIIA prostatitis were cured and another 72 well responded, with an overall response rate of 78.0%. Of those with abnormal semen liquefaction, 61 were cured, 39 well responded, and 32 failed to respond, with an overall effectiveness rate of 75.8%. Semen analysis showed significantly increased percentage of progressively motile sperm after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of medication as compared with the baseline (P < 0.01). No abnormal liver or renal function or other adverse reactions were observed during the treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Longjintonglin Capsules, with its advantages of safety, effectiveness and no obvious adverse effects, deserve to be recommended for the treatment of type IIIA prostatitis accompanied by abnormal semen liquefaction.</p>

Related reproductive issues on male autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease / 中华男科学杂志

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a most common inherited renal disease, about 50% with a family history, although the exact etiology not yet clear. To date, ADPKD, a multisystem disorder without effective preventive and therapeutic means, has been shown to be detrimental to human health. Recent studies show that severe oligoasthenozoospermia, necrospermia, immotile sperm, azoospermia, epididymal cyst, seminal vesicle cyst, and ejaculatory duct cyst found in male ADPKD patients may lead to male infertility, though the specific mechanisms remain unknown. Structural anomaly of spermatozoa, defect of polycystin, mutation of PKD genes, and micro-deletion of the AZF gene could be the reasons for the higher incidence of abnormal semen quality in male ADPKD patients. Assisted reproductive techniques can increase the chances of pregnancy, whereas the health of the offspring should be taken into consideration. This article presents an overview of reproductive issues concerning infertile male ADPKD patients from the perspective of the morbidity, pathophysiological mechanism, diagnosis, and management of the disease.

FSH and FSHR gene polymorphisms and male infertility: An update / 中华男科学杂志

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary, which binds to its receptors expressed on the membrane of Sertoli cells in the testis to bring about spermatogenesis. With the development of DNA sequencing technology, FSH SNPs rs10835638 and FSHR SNPs rs6165, rs6166, and rs1394205 were detected, which might directly affect the expression of FSH and activity of FSHR, resulting in male spermatogenic dysfunction. This review focuses on the relationship of FSH and FSHR gene polymorphisms with male infertility.

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for premature ejaculation: advances in studies / 中华男科学杂志

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common male sexual disorder with an incidence rate of 20-30%. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), as the first-line drug for erectile dysfunction (ED), can improve ejaculatory function probably by acting on the peripheral and central adrenergic nerves. The possible action mechanisms of PDE5i may involve lessening of the central sympathetic output, modulation of the contractile responses from the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate and urethra, induction of peripheral analgesia, and prolonging of the total erectile duration, increasing the confidence of ejaculation control, and reducing the post-ejaculation refractory time. This review discusses the possible mechanisms and clinical application of PDE5i in the treatment of PE.

Application of saw palmetto fruit extract in the treatment of prostate diseases / 中华男科学杂志

Saw palmetto fruit extract (SPE), as a herbal product, is widely used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recent studies show that SPE also has some therapeutic effects on chronic prostatitis, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunction, and so on. This article presents an overview on the application of SPE in the treatment of BPH, prostate cancer, and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, with a discussion on its action mechanisms.

Lipopolysaccharide affects testicular histology and reproductive endocrine function in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on the testicular histology and reproductive endocrine function in male rats and investigate the possible mechanism of inflammation affecting male fertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group (A) and three LPS intervention groups (B, C, and D) to receive saline and LPS (5 mg/kg i. p, once), respectively. The animals in groups B, C, and D were killed by anesthesia at 12, 24, and 72 hours after treatment. Histopathological changes in the left testis of the rats were observed by HE staining and the levels of the reproductive hormones T, FSH, and LH in the serum were determined by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group B, group A showed clear structure of seminiferous tubules, orderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, a slightly decreased number of sperm in some seminiferous tubular lumens, and shed spermatogenic cells in the rat testis tissue; group C exhibited thinner seminiferous epithelia, disordered structure of seminiferous tubules, irregular arrangement of spermatogenic cells, decreased number of mature sperm and obvious shedding of spermatogenic cells in seminiferous tubular lumens; group D manifested similar findings to those of group C, with even more shed spermatogenic cells that blocked the tubular lumens. The levels of serum T, LH, and FSH were (0.490 +/- 0.028) ng/ml, (6.290 +/- 0.515) ng/L, and (1.837 +/- 0.127) IU/L in group A, (0.460 +/- 0.024) ng/ml, (5.881 +/- 0.124) ng/L, and (1.707 +/- 0.098) IU/L in group B, (0.417 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (5.123 +/- 0.271) ng/L, and (1.620 +/- 0.115) IU/L in group C, and (0.378 +/- 0.021) ng/ml, (4.504 +/- 0.279) ng/L and (1.562 +/- 0.216) IU/L in group D, all decreased in group B as compared with A (P > 0.05). The decreases of T and LH were extremely significant (P < 0.01) and that of FSH was significant in groups C and D (P < 0.05) in comparison with A.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LPS-induced inflammation affects the testicular tissue and reproductive endocrine function of male rats, resulting in decreased levels of serum T, LH, and FSH.</p>

Reproductive hormone levels and relevant parameters in middle-aged and older men in the urban area of Nanjing / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the status of male reproductive health among middle-aged and older men in the urban area of Nanjing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected the laboratory results of 884 middle-aged and older men aged 55 - 89 years from the Xuanwu District of Nanjing present for routine physical examinations, including those of blood routine tests, liver and kidney function, blood glucose, blood lipid, and total prostate specific antigen (TPSA), as well as such reproductive hormone indexes as total serum testosterone (TT), free serum testosterone (fT), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). We also obtained the above reproductive hormone indexes from 119 young and middle-aged men aged 20 - 39 years as controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Aging-related changes were found in the 50 percentiles of all the reproductive hormones and relevant parameters but those of TT and E2, with gradual increases in LH, FSH and SHBG and decreases in fT, TSI and fTI. Comparison of reproductive hormones and relevant parameters by Mann-Whitney U test did not show any statistically significant differences in the TT level between any two of the five age groups (20 - 39, 55 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, and > or = 80 yr) (P > 0.05) except between the control and > or = 80 yr groups and the 60 - 69 and > or = 80 yr groups (P < 0.05), nor in the E2 level between any two groups, nor in the levels of LH and FSH except between the 55 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups and the 70 - 79 and > or = 80 yr groups, and nor in the levels of fT and TSI except between the 55 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups. However, there were significant differences in the levels of SHBG and fTI between any two age groups. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that fT, TSI, and fTI were correlated negatively with aging and LH (P < 0.05, I r I > 0.5) but weakly positively with cholesterol, blood glucose and hemoglobin (P < 0.05, /r/ < 0.5), SHBG and LH positively with aging, SHBG weakly negatively with blood glucose and hemoglobin, LH weakly negatively with hemoglobin, and TT weakly negatively with aging but positively with hemoglobin.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The levels of serum testosterone, particularly that of fT, declined with aging in middle-aged and older men in the urban area of Nanjing, which may contribute to abnormal lipid metabolism, low hemoglobin and high blood glucose.</p>

Establishment of a rat model of autoimmune prostatitis with purified prostatic proteins / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a rat model of autoimmune prostatitis using purified prostatic proteins (PPP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups of equal number to receive intramuscular injection of normal saline (normal control group) and PPP at 15 mg/ml (low-concentration group) and 80 mg/ml (high-concentration group). At 4 weeks after modeling, the rats were sacrificed for HE staining of the prostate tissue and examination of the inflammatory factors IL-8 and IL-10 in the serum, immunoglobulins IgA and IgM, and regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three rats died in the high-concentration PPP group but none in the low-concentration PPP and normal control groups. Gross observation of the prostate showed increased volume and hard texture of the prostate in the two PPP groups, but no significant change in the normal controls. Pathological examination exhibited morphological damage to the prostatic tissue and inflammatory cellular infiltration in the experimental rats. The serum level of IL-8 was significantly higher in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups ([129.07 +/- 11.48] and [147.58 +/- 17.70] pg/ml) than in the control ([94.12 +/- 7.04] pg/ml) (P < 0.05), while that of IL-10 was remarkably lower in the former two groups ([227.14 +/- 18.19] and [187.14 +/- 16.32] pg/ml) than in the latter ([252.48 +/- 21.72] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IgA was markedly elevated in the low- and high-concentration PPP groups as compared with that in the control ([0.25 +/- 0.37] and [0.31 +/- 0.42] vs [0.19 +/- 0.14] mg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was that of IgM ([0.23 +/- 0.41] and [0.34 +/- 0.58 ] vs [0.17 +/- 0.33] mg/ml, P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the levels of regulatory T cells Th1/Th2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both low and high concentrations of purified prostatic proteins can be used for the construction of autoimmune prostatitis models in rats, while low concentration is preferable for its advantages of lower mortality of the rats and inducement of more consistent manifestations of autoimmune prostatitis.</p>

Therapeutic efficacy of compound Xuanju capsule on autoimmune prostatitis in rats: an experimental study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Compound Xuanju Capsule (CXC) on autoimmune prostatitis in rat models.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number: blank control, low-concentration purified prostate protein (low-conc PPP), low-conc PPP + CXC treatment, high-concentration PPP (hi-con PPP), and hi-conc PPP + CXC treatment. Autoimmune prostatitis models were established by intragastric administration of PPP solution at 15 mg/ml (low concentration) and 80 mg/ml, respectively. At 30 days after modeling, the rats in the blank control and low-conc and hi-conc PPP model groups were treated with normal saline, and those in the other two groups with CXC at a daily dose of 0.068 g/ml. At 30, 45, and 60 days, all the animals were sacrificed for observation of pathological changes in the prostate tissue and determination of the levels of IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-alpha in the serum.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the PPP models, the hi-conc PPP + CXC group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in the serum at 45 days ([148.54 +/- 17.23] and [62.14 +/- 5.59] pg/ml vs [100.77 +/- 11.08] and [32.63 +/- 2.91] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([143.69 +/- 17.28] and [59.38 +/- 5.50] pg/mlvs [95.77 +/-10.53] and [29.63 +/- 2.66] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so did the low-cone PPP + CXC group at 45 days ([128.47 +/- 12.21] and [40.43 +/- 3.64] pg/ml vs [111.76 +/- 10.07] and [35.44 +/- 3.17] pg/ml, P < 0.05) and at 60 days ([131.07 +/- 10.93] and [43.34 +/- 3.91] pg/ml vs [97.46 +/- 8.75] and [30.44 +/- 2.75] pg/ml, P < 0.05). The serum level of IL-10 was remarkably elevated in the hi-cone PPP + CXC group as compared with that of the PPP models at 45 and 60 days ([189.14 +/- 16.78] and [184.14 +/- 15.89] pg/ml vs [230.48 +/- 29.96] and [248.48 +/- 31.03] pg/ml, P < 0.05), and so was it in low-cone PPP + CXC group ([223.14 +/- 17.87] and [224.14 +/- 17.93] pg/ml vs [231.42 +/- 23.18] and [249.42 +/- 24.97] pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed morphological damages to the prostate tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the model rats, but no obvious changes in the normal controls. At 15 days of treatment, the rats in the PPP + CXC group showed enlarged prostate glandular cavity, mild proliferation of epithelial cells, no obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells in the interstitial tissue, and a few visible fibrous tissues under the light microscope.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound Xuanju Capsule is efficacious on autoimmune prostatis in rats by reducing inflammatory changes in the prostate tissue and improving the expression of inflammatory factors.</p>

Risks and benefits: new concepts of treatment of late-onset hypogonadism / 中华男科学杂志

Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a clinical and bio-chemical syndrome associated with advancing age in males and seriously affects the quality of life of some of the patients. A classical therapeutic option for LOH is testosterone supplementary treatment (TST). Its effectiveness has been verified, whereas its long-term safety remains to be further evaluated. With deeper insights into LOH, many new therapeutic strategies have been proposed, which include the treatments with gonadotropins, testosterone precursors (such as dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]), non-aromatizable androgens (such as dihydrotestosterone [DHT]), antiestrogens (such as aromatase inhibitors and estrogen receptor antagonists), and Chinese medicine. Meanwhile, studies on the transplantation of Leydig stem cells, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs), and selective estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) agonists have shed new light on the treatment of LOH.

Relationship between epigenetics of sperm and embryogenesis / 中华男科学杂志

Epigenetics comprises the modifications made in gene expressions without changing the DNA sequence itself. Significant epigenetic changes take place during spermatogenesis and fertilization and exert direct influences on embryogenesis. This article provides an overview of the latest researches on epigenetics of male germ cells and a brief discussion on the correlation of sperm with embryogenesis in four aspects: DNA methylation, histone modification, regulation of non-coding RNAs, and genomic imprinting.

Lipopolysaccharide affects male reproductive function through Toll-like receptors / 中华男科学杂志

Reproductive tract infection is one of the factors of male infertility, but the mechanisms responsible are hitherto poorly defined. Recent studies show that one of the microbial pattern-recognition receptors, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, plays a critical role in inflammation-induced male infertility. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component in the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, could induce inflammatory response through TLRs. A large number of researches suggest that TLRs express widely in the male reproductive tract and LPS-induced inflammatory reaction through TLRs may affect male fertility. This article presents an overview on how LPS-induced inflammation through TLRs affects male fertility in terms of its influence on the testis, epididymis and sperm quality.

Waist-hip ratio correlates with the levels of reproductive endocrine hormones in abdominally obese males / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the impact of abdominal obesity on the production of male reproductive endocrine hormones.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 342 male patients at the andrology clinic, aged 19 -47 years and higher than 160 cm. We measured their waistlines, hiplines and waist-hip ratio, detected the levels of serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and free testosterone (FT) by chemiluminescence and radioimmunoassay, and analyzed the correlation of the waist-hip ratio with the levels of reproductive endocrine hormones. Abdominal obesity was defined as the waist-hip ratio > 0.9.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the 342 male patients, there were 62 cases of abdominal obesity and 280 cases of the normal somatotype (waist-hip ratio < or = 0.9). The waist-hip ratio was negatively correlated with the T level (r = -0.163, P = 0.003) and the T/LH ratio (r = -0.13, P = 0.02). Both the T level and T/LH ratio were significantly reduced in the abdominal obesity patients ([14.51 +/- 4.53] nmol/L and 2.26 +/- 0.36) as compared with the normal somatotype controls ([17.21 +/- 4.23] nmol/L and 4.61 +/- 0.19) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The waist-hip ratio has a significant negative correlation with the T level and T/LH ratio, and the serum T level is significantly lower in men with abdominal obesity than in those of the normal somatotype.</p>

Testosterone deficiency: an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease / 中华男科学杂志

Serum testosterone levels and gonad function decline with the aging of males. Large-scale epidemiological investigations, mechanism researches and clinical studies conducted in recent years have shown that physiological androgens are critical for the protection of the cardiovascular system. Testosterone deficiency in aging males is associated with several cardiovascular risk factors which include hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, thrombogenic and fibrinolytic dysfunction and inflammation. It can also lead to endothelial and vascular dysfunction, accelerate the formation of atherosclerosis and increase the morbidity of cardio-vascular disease.

Protective effect of pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection on penile vascular endothelium in ERbetaKO mice / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of the overexpression of the ERbeta gene on the penile vascular endothelium of ERbeta knockout (ERbetaKO) mice and its molecular mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 12 ERbetaKO male mice into groups A (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + pAdxsi-ERbeta) and B (ERbetaKO + TNFalpha + empty virus), the former treated by pAdxsi-ERbeta adenovirus transfection, the latter with empty virus, and meanwhile both injected intraperitoneally with TNFalpha at 6 microg per kg body weight per d for 14 days. Then we observed the erectile function of the mice by APO, determined the changes of the endothelial markers CD34 and vWF by immunohistochemical staining, and detected the expressions of the relevant molecules in the eNOS-NO pathway by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group B, group A showed a significantly increased number of penile erections (0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 2.17 +/- 0.41, P < 0.05), shortened erectile latency ([28.83 +/- 1.33] min vs [24.00 +/- 1.27] min, P < 0.05), enriched CD34 and vWF markers (0.67 +/- 0.52 vs 1.50 +/- 0.55 and 0.50 +/- 0.55 vs 1.33 +/- 0.52, both P < 0.05), elevated expressions of eNOS and Cam (RT-PCR: 1.38 +/- 0.03 vs 1.62 +/- 0.05 and 1.02 +/- 0.09 vs 1.42 +/- 0.05, both P < 0.05; Western blot: 1.27 +/- 0.04 vs 1.55 +/- 0.07 and 0.76 +/- 0.05 vs 0.95 +/- 0.08, both P < 0.05), and reduced expression of caveolin-1 (RT-PCR: 2.13 +/- 0.13 vs 1.72 +/- 0.08, P < 0.05; Western blot: 3.99 +/- 0.16 vs 3.40 +/- 0.14, P < 0.05). The results of RT-PCR were consistent with those of Western blot.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The ERbeta gene protects the penile vascular endothelium via the eNOS-NO pathway.</p>

Animal models of chronic prostatitis: an update / 中华男科学杂志

Chronic prostatitis is a disease caused by a number of factors characterized by perineal discomfort, pelvic pain, irritative urination symptoms and even sexual dysfunction, and histologically with infiltration of poly-and mononuclear cells in the interstitial connective tissue. Research on this disease has somewhat been hindered, for its pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria are not yet clear. Animal models can help to explain the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This article presents an overview on the advantages and limitations of rodent models in the studies of this disease.

Cigarette smoking affects sperm plasma membrane integrity / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect sperm plasma membrane integrity (PMI) of cigarette smoking infertile males using SYBR-14/ PI fluorescent staining and flow cytometry and investigate its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected semen samples from 132 cigarette smoking infertile men and 70 normal fertile controls, the former divided into a heavy-smoker group (> 20 cigarettes a day, n = 68) and a light-smoker group (< or = 20 cigarettes a day, n = 64). We performed computer-assisted semen analysis of the semen samples, and determined sperm PMI by flow cytometry after rinsing with PBS and staining by SYBR-14/PI, the sperm with normal PMI indicated as the percentage of those emitting green fluorescence (SYBR-14+/PI- %), dead sperm as the percentage of those emitting red (SYBR-14-/PI+), and moribund sperm as the percentage of those emitting both green and red (SYBR-14+/PI+).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the heavy- and light-smoker groups showed significant differences in SYBR-14-/PI+ % and SYBR-14+/PI- % from the normal controls (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). SYBR-14+/PI- % was remarkably lower, while SYBR-14-/PI+ % markedly higher in the heavy-smoker than in the light-smoker group (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between SYBR-14+/PI- % and sperm motility (r = 0.938, P = 0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SYBR-14/PI fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis could quickly and exactly detect sperm PMI. Cigarette smoking reduces sperm PMI and consequently sperm motility, which might be an important factor of male infertility.</p>