Effects of herbs for replenishing yin to tonify kidney on testicular ultrastructural changes in rats with glucocorticoid-induced kidney deficiency / 中西医结合学报

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of herbs for replenishing yin to tonify kidney on testicular ultrastructural changes in rats with glucocorticoid-induced kidney deficiency. METHODS: Thirty rats were randomized into three groups normal control group, untreated group and Erdi Biejia Decoction (EDBJD)-treated group. Kidney deficiency rat model was induced by glucocorticoid. Testicular structure and ultrastructure were observed under the light microscope and the transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The light microscope revealed the decreased thickness of seminiferous epithelium layer, reduced number of spermatogenic cells, interstitial tissue edema, and a qualitative reduction in the number of interstitial cells and hematoxylin-eosin stained cytoplasm in the untreated group. The transmission electron microscope revealed loose structure of seminiferous epithelium, degenerative mitochondria, and increased amounts of lysosome, presence of numerous cytoplasmic vacuolation and chromatin in interstitial cell cytoplasm in the untreated group. The aggregates of heterochromatin around the nuclear membrane and the shrinkage of nucleus were also observed. Compared to the untreated group, these pathological changes were inconspicuous in EDBJD-treated group. CONCLUSION: EDBJD as replenishing yin to tonify kidney herbs can suppress glucocorticoid induced pathological changes in the testes of rats.