Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for the treatment of idiopathic oligoasthenospermia: A meta-analysis / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the pregnancy outcome and sperm parameters in patients with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.@*METHODS@#We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang from inception till January 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCT) with the keywords male infertility, oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, acupuncture, transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation, etc. Using the Cochrane risk bias tool, we evaluated the quality of the identified RCTs, and analyzed the primary outcomes, including pregnancy and live birth, and secondary outcomes, such as sperm concentration, motility and morphology.@*RESULTS@#Four RCTs with 321 subjects were included, of which none reported live birth and only one reported a pregnancy rate of 15% after treatment of 2 Hz TEAS. Neither 2 Hz (WMD: －3.01, 95% CI: －22.28 to 16.26) nor 100 Hz TEAS (WMD: －0.02, 95% CI: －5.29 to 5.56) had any significant effect on sperm concentration, while 100 Hz TEAS markedly improved the percentage of grade a sperm (WMD: 6.83, 95% CI: 2.10 to 11.57) compared with 2Hz TEAS (WMD: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.01 to 3.61). In comparison with the blank control, neither 2 Hz (WMD: 4.07, 95% CI: －5.15 to 13.29) nor 100 Hz TEAS (WMD: 6.59, 95% CI: －5.36 to 18.55) significantly affected the percentage of grade a + b sperm or total sperm motility.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The effect of TEAS on the pregnancy outcome is not yet clear. 100 Hz TEAS significantly improved the percentage of grade a sperm in idiopathic oligoasthenospermia patients, which, however, is to be further verified with more high-quality clinical studies.

Impact of Low Frequency Electro-acupuncture on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Unmarried PCOS Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on glucose and lipid metabolism in unmarried patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).@*METHODS@#Fifty-four PCOS patients were equally randomized into true acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group (control) for totally 16 weeks of treatment by random method with a computerized randomization program. Patients in true acupuncture group accepted traditional acupuncture methods with EA and two sets of acupoint groups were used alternatively. The first set consisted of Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6), Guilai (ST 29), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Hegu (LI4) and Baihui (GV 20), and the second set consisted of Tianshu (ST 25), ST 29, CV 3, CV 6, SP 6, Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC) 6 and GV 20. Patients in the sham acupuncture group accepted shallow acupuncture methods through EA without electricity at 4 non-meridian points in each shoulder and upper arm. Outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin release test, glucose and lipid metabolism indicators such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, resistin, and interleukin (IL-6).@*RESULTS@#Twenty-six subjects in the true acupuncture group and 20 subjects in the sham group completed the clinical trial. After 16 weeks of treatment, no significant difference in the outcome measures were observed between the two groups (P>0.05). However, as compared with baseline data, a reduction in weight, BMI, hipline, WHR, fasting glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity, visfatin and HDL-C, and an increase in resistin and IL-6 were observed in the true acupuncture group (P<0.05). In addition, a reduction in visfatin and an increase in TC were also observed in the sham group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Acupuncture may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of PCOS by improving glucose and lipid metabolism. Moreover, the sham acupuncture may be not completely ineffective. Sham acupuncture may improve some of the aspects of the glucose and lipid metabolism of PCOS patients through a placebo effect. (Registration Nos. ChiCTR-TRC-12002529 and NCT01812161).

Effect of Brucea javanica fruit oil emulsion combined cisplatin on the growth inhibition of transplanted tumor in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 nude mice: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the growth inhibition effect of Brucea javanica Fruit Oil Emulsion (BJFOE) on human ovarian caner SKOV3 cells and the transplanted tumor of SKOV3 nude mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Growth inhibition effects of different concentrations BJFOE alone or its combination with cisplatin on human ovarian cancer cell SKOV3 were measured using MTT method. The orthotopic transplantation tumor model of human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell lines was established in nude mice. Totally 32 ovarian cancer nude mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the blank control group (Group A), the BJFOE group (Group B), the BJFOE combined Cisplatin group (Group C), and the Cisplatin control group (Group D), 8 in each group. Mice in Group A were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (0.2 mL/ 20 g), once per two days. Mice in Group B were intraperitoneally injected with BJFOE (0.2 mL/20 g), once per two days. Mice in Group C were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) 0.2 mL on the first day, and intraperitoneally injected with BJFOE on the second day. Mice in Group D were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin (3 mg/kg) 0.2 mL, once per two days. All mice were injected for six times, and sacrificed 48 h after the last injection. The lesion formation of the abdominal tumor tissue was observed. Tumor specimens were obtained to perform HE staining. Expression levels of MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5 were detected using Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inhibition of BJFOE was time-dose depend- ently correlated with its inhibition effect of SKOV3 cells. The inhibition effect of BJFOE in combination of cisplatin was significantly superior to that of using any of the two drugs alone. Western blot results showed expression levels of MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5 were up-regulated in Group B and Group D with statistical difference (P < 0.05). But they were down-regulated in Group C with statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intraperitoneal injecting BJFOE was feasible and effective for treating ovarian cancer. BJFOE also could inhibit the invasion and migration of tumor cells targeting at MRP-1/CD9 and integrinα-5. But its specific anti-tumor mechanism was not clearly probed.</p>

Acupuncture clinical trials published in high impact factor journals / 中国中西医结合杂志

Acupuncture clinical trials are designed to provide reliable evidence of clinical efficacy, and SCI papers is one of the high-quality clinical efficacy of acupuncture research. To analyze these papers published in high impact factor journals on acupuncture clinical trials, we can study clinical trials from design to implementation, the efficacy of prevention and cure, combined with international standard practices to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture. That is the core of acupuncture clinical trials, as well as a prerequisite for outstanding academic output. A scientific and complete acupuncture clinical trial should be topically novel, designed innovative, logically clear, linguistically refining, and the most important point lies in a great discovery and solving the pragmatic problem. All of these are critical points of papers to be published in high impact factor journal, and directly affect international evaluation and promotion of acupuncture.

Effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in ovarian granulosa cells cultured by excess androgen / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu Decoction (YZD) on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in ovarian granulose cells (GCs) cultured by excess androgen.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ovarian GCs from porcine follicles were isolated and cultured in vitro. Follicular stimulating hormone (FSH) or YZD was added in the GCs treated by excess testosterone propionate. Totally 48 h later mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Excess androgen inhibited mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR of GCs. FSH and YZD could antagonize inhibition of excess androgens, and promote mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR, and FSHR in GCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YZD could antagonize the inhibition of excess androgen on mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs. Thus, we inferred that YZD could improve the follicle dysplasia by promoting mRNA and protein expression of PCNA, StAR and FSHR in GCs.</p>

Output strategies for publication of international papers on clinical trials of Chinese medicine / 中国中西医结合杂志

Scientific research output of clinical trials in Chinese medicine (CM) is insufficient, but international papers hold an important scientific position in China. Based on the current situation, we analyzed the present publication situation of international medical papers in our country, and the feasibility and urgency of publishing international papers on clinical trials of CM. Finally, we proposed to use the PDCA (plan-do-check-action) cycle method to improve the quality control and management of CM clinical trials. Moreover, by combining our experience in relevant scientific research launched at our department, we expounded strategies for improving the quantity and quality of international papers in CM.

Impact of Cryptotanshinone on the reproductivity and metabolism of male mice with Akt2 deletion / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of protein kinase B (Akt2) allele deletion on testicular reproductive function, and to discuss the regulatory effect of Cryptotanshinone on the reproductivity of male mice with Akt2 allele deletion and its molecular mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen Akt2 +/+ male mice were randomly divided into Groups A (baseline control, n = 7) and B (stimulation, n = 8), and another 29 Akt2 -/- male mice into C (baseline control, n = 7), D (stimulation, n = 8), E (solvent, n = 7) and F (Cryptotanshinone, n = 7). Groups B and D underwent human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) stimulation tests at 5 IU / 20 g, while A and C received physiological saline, all for 4 hours; Group F were given gastric lavage of Cryptotanshinone, while E solvent only, at 600 mg/kg twice a day for 8 weeks, both subjected to oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) at 2 g/kg before and after the treatment. The body and bilateral testis weights were obtained, the serum testosterone (T) level measured, and the expressions of testicular steroid hormone synthesis and glycometabolism-related genes determined by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OGTT showed that the level of blood glucose was significantly higher in Groups C and D than in A and B ([10.38 +/- 1.42] and [10.96 +/- 1.81] mmol/L vs [7.92 +/- 0.63] and [8.32 +/- 0.44] mmol/L, P < 0.05), but had no significant differences at different time points in E and F (P > 0.05). The testis weight was remarkably higher in Groups C and D than in A and B ([0.17 +/- 0.01] and [0.17 +/- 0.01] g vs [0.15 +/- 0.01] and [0.15 +/- 0.02] g, P < 0.05), but exhibited no obvious difference in E and F, nor were there any significant differences in body weight among different groups (P > 0.05). The serum T level was markedly higher in Group C than in A ([9.08 +/- 1.59] nmol/L vs [6.42 +/- 0.95] nmol/L, P < 0.05), but evidently lower in F than in E ([5.94 +/- 0.49] nmol/L vs [8.18 +/- 1.44] nmol/L, P < 0.05). The baseline expression levels of Cyp11, Cyp17, 3B-HSD, Star, Gsk3beta, Erk-1, and MCM2 mRNA were significantly higher in Group C than in A (P < 0.05). After HCG stimulation, the expressions of Cyp11, Cyp17, 3B-HSD, and Star mRNA were remarkably increased in B and D, but with no obvious difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), while the expressions of Cyp11, Cyp17, 3B-HSD, Star, Gsk3beta, Erk-1, and MCM2 mRNA markedly decreased in F as compared with E (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Akt2 gene deletion may affect glycometabolism and testicular function, and cause abnormal glycometabolism and androgen secretion in male mice, whose molecular mechanism is associated with the elevated expressions of the key glycometabolic molecules and of the key enzymes for androgen synthesis. Cryptotanshinone can reduce the levels of androgens by down-regulating the expressions of the key enzymes for androgen synthesis.</p>

Study on the apoptosis inducing effect of pseudolaric acid B on cervical carcinoma cell line HeLa cells / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the biological effect and mechanism of action of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on the cultured human HeLa cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT and flow cytometric assays were used to detect the cells proliferation inhibitory rate and apoptosis of HeLa cell in exposure to PAB; the morphological changes of apoptosis were observed with electron microscope; and the expressions of p53/bcl-2/bax mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) HeLa cell proliferation was inhibited by PAB in a dose-dependent manner, the IC50 being about 10 micromol/L; (2) flow cytometry showed that the distribution of HeLa cell cycle was changed time-dependently by 10 micromol/L PAB-treatment, showing decrease of G0/G1 phase cell percentage and increase of G2/M phase cell percentage; (3) the bax mRNA expression elevated and bcl-2 protein expression decreased markedly after being treated by 10 micromol/L PAB for 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h; while the expression of p53 mRNA could not be detected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PAB can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of Hela cells in vitro, and its molecular mechanism may be associated with up-regulating bax mRNA expression and down-regulating bcl-2 mRNA expression.</p>

Effects of cryptotanshinone in lowering androgens synthesis for the prenatally androgenized male rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of cryptotanshinone on androgen synthesis for the prenatally androgenized male rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On days 16-18 of pregnancy, rats were injected s. c. with testosterone propionas continuously for 3 days; male offspring were studied as subject. Serum concentrations of testosterone (T), 17a-hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP), blood glucose, and insulin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Then, the rats were treated with cryptotanshinone by gavage for 14 days, and the levels of serum T, 17-OHP and insulin were detected and the 17a-hydroxylase protein expression in interstitial cell was measured using the method of immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no difference between the male groups who were prenatally androgenized in serum levels of T, but the 17-OHP, fasting insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) elevated significantly (P < 0.05). Cryptotanshinone could lower the levels of 17-OHP (P < 0.05) but had no effect on 17a-hydroxylase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prenatally androgenized male rats exhibit elevated 17-OHP and diminished insulin sensitivity. Cryptotanshinone could decrease 17-OHP, but has no effect on insulin, indicating it may reduce androgen synthesis.</p>

Progress of integrative Chinese and Western medicine in treating polycystic ovarian syndrome caused infertility / 中国结合医学杂志

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most popular diseases that cause menstrual dysfunction and infertility in women. The present paper is a brief retrospection on the progress in treatment of PCOS caused infertility with integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM). It can be seen from these materials that using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) recipes formulated by Shen-replenishing herbs or acupuncture to reinforce Gan-Shen, regulate Chong-Ren Channels in treating PCOS, stable clinical efficacy could be obtained, with less adverse reaction, though the effect initiated somewhat late. Whereas, when Shen-replenishing recipe and acupuncture are combined with hormone or ovulation promoting drugs of Western medicine, the above-mentioned shortcomings would be overcome. So, this combined therapy is frequently used in clinical practice.

Advances of modern studies of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce the modern advances of studies on acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The recent years' literature of acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of ovulation disorders were reviewed from clinical studies and treatment mechanisms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion can regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, the nervous system and immune system of the organism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture and moxibustion has very good clinical effects on ovulation disorders, and it is a safe and effective adjuvant way for modern assisted reproductive technique.</p>