ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effect of Heshouwuyin on the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme(P450scc) protein expression in Leydig cells of rats. Methods Juvenile male Wistar rat, 10-20 days old, were used to isolate the Leydig cells and cultured, and then collected them. The oxidative damage technique was used to establish Leydig cell aging model. This study had a Leydig aging model, Heshouwuyin and Shouwu pill treatments, and normal and Heshouwuyin control group. Results The intensities of immunohistichemical staining for StAR and P450scc were significantly lower in the Leydig aging model group than those in the normal group and Heshouwuyin control group (P < 0.01), and were significantly higher in the Heshouwuyin and Shouwu pill group than that in the aging model group (P < 0.05). Heshouwuyin group was better than Shouwu pill group. Conclusion Heshouwuyin can increase the protein expression of StAR and P450scc in Leydig cells, improve the synthesis of testosterone, thus delaying the senescence of Leydig cells.