Icariin alleviates varicocele-induced damage to the structure and function of rat epididymis / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the protective effect of icariin against varicocele-induced damage on rat epididymis. Methods Forty adolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=10), experimental varicocele (EV) group (n=15), icariin (ICA) therapy group (n=15). Experimental varicocele model in the EV group and ICA group was established. The EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The rats in the control group underwent a sham operation that separated the spermatic vessels without ligation. Each rat in the control group and EV group was lavaged with 2 mL physiological saline every day for 6 weeks. Each rat in the ICA group was lavaged with icariin [100 mg/(kg·d)] for 6 weeks. Rats in all groups were executed after 6 weeks. The contents of sialic acid were measured by spectrophotometry. Carnitine concentrations were measured by DTNB. HE stain was used to observe the microstructure changes in the epididymal tissue. Electron microscopy was used for observing the ultrastructural changes of the epididymis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to detect the apoptosis of the epididymal epithelium. Results Compared with the control group, the microstructure and ultrastructure of the epididymis in EV group showed pathological damage. Compared with the EV group, the damage of the epididymal microstructure and ultrastructure significantly alleviated. Apoptosis index (AI) of epididymal epithelium in the EV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). However, AI of epididymal epithelium in the ICA group was significantly lower than that in the EV group (P < 0.01). The sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the EV group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01), respectively. However, the sialic acid and carnitine concentrations of the epididymis in the ICA group was significantly higher than that in the EV group (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion This study indicates that varicocele could result in the apoptosis of epididymal epithelium and icariin decreased the varicocele-induced apoptosis , suggesting that varicocele could damage the structure and function of epididymis, which can be repaired by icariin.