ABSTRACT
Background Recently researches indicated that estrogen plays important role in maintaining the normal metabolism of lens. Objective This study was to investigate the changes of estrogen receptor( ER ) α and β expressions in lens upon estrogen level in castrated female rat. Methods Sixty clean adult female Wistar rats were randomized into castrated group,sham operation group,ovariectomy group,ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group,ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group,and 10 rats for each.The castrated animal models were established by ovariectomy for 5 months.Then 50％,100％ oestradiol benzoate eyedrops were used 4 times per day respectively and 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg oestradiol benzoate were intramuscularly injected at two-day interval for 6 weeks in corresponding experimental group.Serum estradiol concentration was detected in the rats of various groups at 5 months after ovariectomy and 6 weeks after administration of estradiol benzoate.The animals were sacrificed using the excessive anesthesia method and the lenses were obtained for the assay of ERα and ERβ expressions.The use of the animals complied with the Statement of ARVO. Results No obvious opacification of lenses and the changes of structure and morphology in lens were seen in the rats of various groups under the slit lamp microscope and light microscope during the observing duration after ovariectomy.The significant differences were found in serum estradiol concentrations among the 6 groups ( F=15490.527,P=0.000) or between before and after usage of estradiol benzoate( F=943.236,P =0.001 ).Six weeks after usage of estradiol benzoate,the expressions of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were lower in the castrated group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group compared with the the sham operative group (P＜0.05),but those in the ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group were elevated in comparison with above groups( P＜0.05 ),and expressions of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were similar to the sham operative group ( ERα:28.04±6.80 vs.31.30±7.11 ;ERβ:27.75±7.13 vs.25.38±5.59).Mean A values of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were lower in the castrated group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group compared with the sham operative group (P＜0.05),but those in the ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group were elevated in comparison with above groups ( P＜0.05 ),and mean 4 values of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were similar to the sham operative group (ERα:0.1833 ±0.0087 vs.0.1859 ±0.0067; ERβ:0.1689±0.0059 vs.0.1686±0.0095). Conclusions The expressions of ERα and ERβ in the LECs are associated with the level of serum estradiol.The effects of estrogen on lens were different by different medication way.Low-dose estradiol eyedropping was a more feasible approach to the prevention of cataract.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Yansheng granules on the sexual function and sexual organ development of castrated rats. METHODS: Castrated animal impotence model was employed to determine the erectile latency period and the weights of the preputial gland, seminal vesicle, prostate and levator ani muscle, so as to test the effect of Yansheng granules on the sexual function and sexual organ development of castrated rats. RESULTS: Yansheng granules at high dose could shorten the erectile latency period and extend the duration of erection of castrated rats. While in the middle and low dose groups the effect on the duration of erection was not significant. Yansheng granules showed no significant effect on sex gland in any dose group. CONCLUSION: Yansheng granules can shorten the erectile latency period, and extend the duration of erection of castrated rats, but have no significant effect on the gonad. The results of our experiments provide some theoretical and experimental evidence for the clinical application of this medicine. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.
ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the effects of Xuefurong capsules,the traditional Chinese medicine for invigorating the kidney,on sexual function and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in paraventricular nucleus(PVN) in adult castrated SD rats.Methods The male castrated rat model was made and three days after operation the liquid of Xuefurong capsules(5 mg/kg) was given by intragastric administration once a day for 28 days.The sexual function was observed and the nNOS expression in PVN was detected by using ABC immunohistochemical method.The number,area and gray degree of nNOS were counted and analyzed with semi-quantitative method.Results ①Compared with that in the castrated group,the serum testosterone level increased obviously in Xuefurong group(P0.05).Conclusion Xuefurong capsules can increase the level of testosterone,enhance the sexual function of castrated rats and nNOS expression in PVN.