ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction in inhibiting voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 2 （VDAC2） gene methylation， affecting sperm mitochondrial function， and improving sperm motility through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A （cAMP/PKA） pathway. Method:Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， high- and low-dose Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups， and L-carnitine group， with eight rats in each group. Adenine （0.05 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>） was administered by gavage for 14 d for inducing oligospermia and asthenospermia. Rats in the Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups were treated with intragastric administration of 32.4， 8.1 g·kg<sup>-1 </sup>Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction， respectively， while those in the L-carnitine group received 0.27 g·kg<sup>-1</sup> L-carnitine by gavage. Following the measurement of sperm motility using an automatic sperm analyzer， the pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Sperm mitochondrial membrane potential was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of VDAC2 in the testicular tissue was determined by immunofluorescence assay. Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was conducted for detecting VDAC2 mRNA expression in testicular tissue. The methylation of VDAC2 gene was examined using bisulfite sequencing. The cAMP expression in testicular tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the PKA protein expression in testicular tissue by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group exhibited significantly decreased sperm density and motility （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， increased mitochondrial membrane potential （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， down-regulated VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and elevated VDAC2 gene methylation （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， L-carnitine and Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction at the high and low doses all remarkably increased the sperm density and motility and mitochondrial membrane potential （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， up-regulated VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in the testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and lowered the methylation of VDAC2 in testicular tissue （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The comparison with the L-carnitine group showed that the sperm density and motility and mitochondrial membrane potential in the low-dose Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction group declined significantly （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The VDAC2 mRNA and protein expression， PKA protein expression， and cAMP content in the testicular tissue were significantly down-regulated （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the methylation of VDAC2 was significantly enhanced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:Shugan Bushen Yulint decoction may inhibit VDAC2 gene methylation， increase VDAC2 expression， regulate cAMP/PKA pathway， and change mitochondrial membrane potential to enhance the sperm motility.
ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effect of the modified Yulin Decoction on improving the living quality of patients with yang-deficiency of the spleen and kidney of premature ovarian failure. Methods One hundred and twenty-seven patients were divided into experimental group (80) and control group (47) by non-randomized noninferiority comparative study. The experimental group was treated with modified Yulin Decoction daily orally once a day. The control group was treated with oral estradiol valerate and progesterone cycle. Two groups received continuous medication for 21 d, and treatment interval was 5 d. Three cycles of treatment were set as one course, and treated for 2 courses. The SF-36 scale was used to calculate the total scores and scores of eight dimensions before and after treatment. Results Before treatment, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the scores of SF-36 dimensions (except somatic pain) and total score between the two groups. Compared with before treatment, the score and total score of SF-36 in the experimental group increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mental health score of the control group was higher than that of before treatment (P<0.05, P<0.01). After treatment, there was statistical significance in the two dimensions of vitality and mental health in the two groups (P<0.05). There were significant differences (P<0.01) in the total score and scores of SF-36 physiological function, physical pain, general health, vigor, social function, emotional function and mental health between the two groups. Conclusion Modified Yulin Decoction can improve the living quality of patients with yang-deficiency of the spleen and kidney of premature ovarian failure.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the effect of modified Yulin Decoction on hormones and ovarian function in patients with premature ovarian failure (POF).Methods 142 cases of patients with POF and kidney-yang deficiency syndrome were selected and randomLy divided into the control group (n=64) and the observation group (n=78).Levels of serum hormones and ovarian function,the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Results Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the scores and levels of hormones.After treatment, levels of serum FSH, LH and E2 were significantly decreased in the two groups, and the changes were more obvious in the observation group than the control group (P<0.05).After treatment, TCM symptom scores of two groups were significantly decreased, and the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).Conclusion Modified Yulin Decoction is significantly effective in the treatment of POF of spleen and kidney-yang deficiency syndrome.It can significantly improve the level of estrogen, adjust endocrine and relieve clinical symptoms.