[Jujing Gouju Granules promote reproductive function in rats with spermatozoa].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the intervention effect of Jujing Gouju Granules (JGG) on teratozoospermia (TZ) in rats and explore its action mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups of an equal number: normal control, TZ model control, high-dose JGG and low-dose JGG. The TZ model was established in the latter three groups of rats by intragastric administration of methyl methanesulfonate at 4 mg/100 g body weight/day for 7 consecutive days. After successful modeling, the animals in the high- and low-dose JGG groups were treated with JGG at 0.288 and 0.072g/100 g body weight/d, respectively, while the normal controls with the same dose of normal saline, all for 48 days. At two days after medication, all the rats were sacrificed and the right epididymides harvested for sperm counting, sperm motility analysis, observation the sperm morphology, and determination of contents of fructose, zinc, α-glucosidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the epididymal suspension, the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the seminal plasma, and that of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the sperm. RESULTS: Both sperm concentration and motility were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm decreased in the JGG groups compared with the model controls, even more significantly in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in the contents of fructose and zinc in the epididymal suspension among the four groups, but that of α-glucosidase was remarkably lower in the TZ model than in the normal controls (ï¼»50.31 ± 2.12ï¼½ vs ï¼»67.23 ± 3.54ï¼½ U/L, P < 0.05), but higher in the high- and low-dose JGG groups (ï¼»79.36 ± 2.35ï¼½ and ï¼»56.25 ± 3.44ï¼½ U/L) than in the model control group (P < 0.05). The level of ROS was markedly higher and that of SOD lower in the TZ model than in the normal controls, while the former was lower and the latter was higher in the JGG groups than in the TZ model controls (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). Compared with the TZ model controls, the rats in the JGG groups showed dramatically decreased levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in the seminal plasma, even more significantly in the high- than in the low-dose JGG group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Jujing Gouju Granules can improve sperm morphology in teratozoospermia rats, possibly by regulating oxidative stress and inflammation-related factors.

[Application of Tri-Jiao Theory in the treatment of male immune infertility].

Male immune infertility is a common disease with an incidence rate of about 10%. This article aimed to find some breakthrough clues to the etiology and pathogenesis of male immune infertility from years of relevant studies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Some consensuses on the diagnosis, etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are based on limited and isolated understandings. With the Tri-Jiao Theory as the breakthrough point, we analyzed the three studies by the Xu Fu-song Group and discussed the causes, development and outcome of male immune infertility from the aspects of its positioning, transmission and syndrome differentiation. The Tri-Jiao Theory reflects the holistic thought of TCM and offers a comprehensive insight into the dynamic changes of the disease. As the basis for TCM understanding of male immune infertility, studies on the mucosal immune system have provided some new ideas for applying the Tri-Jiao Theory to TCM researches into the disease.

[Essentials of the differentiation and standardization of syndromes for male impotence in Xu Fu-song's clinical experience].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the essentials of the differentiation and standardization of syndromes for male impotence in Xu Fu-song's clinical practice. METHODS: We conducted a randomized survey of 183 cases of male impotence diagnosed and treated at Professor Xu Fu-song's Clinic. We collected the data on the four diagnostic methods of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), namely, observation, auscultation and olfaction, inquiry, and pulse feeling and palpation, and subjected them to principal component and factor analyses. RESULTS: Eleven common factors were extracted in the principal component and factor analyses, which were in accordance with Xu Fu-song's clinical practice. Based on the results of the analysis of the 11 factors, male impotence is differentiated as 11 syndrome types as follows: damp-heat syndrome, with the manifestations of bitter taste, scrotal moisture, reddish yellow urine, dribbling urination, frequent urination, urgent urination, sticky stool, red tongue, yellow greasy fur, rapid pulse, slippery pulse, and soggy pulse; kidney-yin deficiency syndrome, featured by polyhidrosis of hands and feet, night sweating, cold drink preference, dry mouth, red tongue, less fur, thready pulse, and rapid pulse; liver-qi stagnation syndrome, presented as depression, anxiety, introvert, dark tongue, and stringy pulse; phlegm turbidity syndrome, shown as sticky mouth, phlegmy mouth, throat discomfort, chest congestion, gastric fullness, low sexual desire, white greasy fur, and slippery pulse; kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, manifested as intolerance of cold, mental fatigue, lower abdominal cold, nocturnal enuresis, hot drink preference, pale tongue, and deep pulse; lung and spleen deficiency syndrome, with the presentations of cough, easy cold, spontaneous sweating, nasal stuffiness, pale tongue, and thready pulse; qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome, characterized by lower abdominal pain, perineal or testicular prolapse, purple tongue, and deep pulse; heart-kidney disharmony syndrome, distinguished by insomnia, gonobolia, premature ejaculation, red tongue, and thready pulse; heart and spleen deficiency syndrome, featured by palpitation, amnesia, pale complexion, pale tongue, and deep pulse; spleen and kidney deficiency syndrome, manifested as dizziness, pale complexion, pale tongue, deep pulse, and thready pulse; lung and kidney deficiency syndrome, characterized by five-center dysphoria, tinnitus, general heaviness, pale tongue, less fur, and thready pulse. CONCLUSIONS: The syndromes of male impotence are regularly differentiated and standardized in Xu Fu-song's clinical practice, each with its core symptoms and typical tongue and pulse manifestations.

[Chinese medicinal compound CFF-1 induces the apoptosis and cycle-arrest of prostate cancer cells via the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the apoptosis-inducing effect of the Chinese medicinal compound CFF-1 on prostate cancer cells and its related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Normal prostate WPMY-1 cells and prostate cancer LNCaP, CWR22Rv1, PC3 and DU145 cells were treated in dehydrated alcohol with CFF-1 at 0, 2, 5, or 10 mg/ml for 24 hours. Then the viability of the prostate cells was detected by morphological observation, MTT and CCK-8 assay, nuclear condensation and disruption measured by DAPI staining, the cell cycle and apoptosis calculated by flow cytometry, the activity of the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway and the expressions of its downstream apoptosis- and cycle-related proteins determined by Western blot. RESULTS: CFF-1 significantly arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, decreased the cell viability and increased the nuclear condensation and disruption in a dose-dependent manner, and elevated the apoptosis rate of prostate cancer cells. At the molecular level, CFF-1 dose-dependently reduced the activity of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and phosphorylation of the FOXO1 protein, increased the transcription activity of FOXO1, and eventually regulated the expressions of cell apoptosis- and cycle-related genes. CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese medicinal compound CFF-1 can significantly inhibit the growth, arrest the cycle, and induce the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells by decreasing the activity of the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 signaling pathway, which suggests its potential clinical application value in the treatment of prostate cancer.

[Professor Xu Fu-song's traditional Chinese medicine protocols for male diseases: A descriptive analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy and medication principles of Professor Xu Fu-songs traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) protocols for male diseases. METHODS: We reviewed and descriptively analyzed the unpublished complete medical records of 100 male cases treated by Professor Xu Fu-song with his TCM protocols from 1978 to 1992. RESULTS: The 100 cases involved 32 male diseases, most of which were difficult and complicated cases. The drug compliance was 95%. Each prescription was made up of 14 traditional Chinese drugs on average. The cure rate was 32% , and the effective rate was 85%. Professor Xu Fu-song advanced and proved some new theories and therapeutic methods. CONCLUSION: Professor Xu Fu-song's TCM protocols can be applied to a wide range of male diseases, mostly complicated, and are characterized by accurate differentiation of symptoms and signs, high drug compliance, and excellent therapeutic efficacy.

[Effects of Yixin Kangtai capsule on spermatogenesis and the levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde in aged SD rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Yixin Kangtai Capsule (YKC) on sperm concentration and motility, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in aged SD rats, and to explore its possible mechanisms of action. METHODS: We randomly assigned fifty 24-month-old male SD rats to five groups of equal number: blank control, testosterone undecanoate, high-dose YKC, medium-dose YKC and low-dose YKC, and treated them intragastrically with physiological saline at 10 ml/kg, testosterone un-decanoate suspension at 4 mg/kg, and YKC at 0.6 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg and 0.15 g/kg, respectively, once a day for 30 days. Then we harvested the epididymides, which were stripped of fat and envelope, cut into pieces and placed in the saline at 37 degrees C for 10 to 15 minutes. Then we detected the sperm parameters with the Weili CASA sperm analysis system, measured the levels of serum SOD and MDA, and, following HE staining, observed the histomorphological changes of the testicular tissue under the light microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, the rats treated with high-, medium- and low-dose YKC exhibited significantly increased sperm concentration ([152.3 +/- 24.0] x 10(6)/ml vs [334.5 +/- 97.7], [302.7 +/- 158.9] and [221.4 +/- 75.6] x 10(6)/ml, P < 0.05) and markedly improved sperm motility ([26.5 +/- 2.0]% vs [35.5 +/- 5.9], [33.1 +/- 5.4] and [28.4 +/- 2.1]%, P < 0.01). High-dose YKC significantly increased the level of serum SOD ([22.0 +/- 5.3] U/ml, P < 0.01) and reduced the content of MDA ([13.6 +/- 4.6] nmol/ ml, P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed that YKC induced more active proliferation of cells, and increased the number of dividing cells and that of mature sperm in the lumen, with little interstitium, abundant blood vessels, and well-developed stromal cells. CONCLUSION: Yixin Kangtai Capsule can improve spermatogenesis in aged SD rats by regulating the levels of SOD and MDA.

[Yangjing capsule plus low-dose tadalafil for functional anejaculation].

OBJECTIVE: To search for an effective therapy for functional anejaculation (AE). METHODS: Fifty-five AE patients were randomized into a treatment group (n = 30) and a control group (n = 25), the former treated with Yangjing Capsule (once 5 pills, tid) and low-dose tadalafil (5 mg, qd alt, 1 h before bedtime), while the latter with oral ephedrine (25 mg before bedtime). Meanwhile, the patients were advised to expose themselves to sexual stimulation, reduce the frequency of sexual intercourses and quit masturbation. The medication lasted 1-3 months, followed by observation of the therapeutic effects. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate was 83.34% in the treatment group, 11 cases cured, 8 obviously improved, 6 improved and 5 unimproved, significantly higher than 40.00% in the control group, 4 cases cured, 3 obviously improved, 3 improved and 15 unimproved (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yangiing Capsule plus low-dose tadalafil is safe and effective for the treatment of functional anejaculation.

[Erdi Biejia decoction for erectile dysfunction with kidney-yin deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of the Chinese medicine Erdi Biejia Decoction in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) with kidney-yin deficiency, and explore its action mechanism and the nourishing yin doctrine in the treatment of ED. METHODS: We equally randomized 60 ED patients with kidney-yin deficiency into a treatment and a control group, the former treated with oral Erdi Biejia Decoction, and the latter given placebo, for a course of 8 weeks. We compared the IIEF scores and levels of sex hormones T, E2, LH, FSH and PRL between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed a significantly higher total effectiveness rate (36.67% vs 63.33%, P < 0.05), IIEF score (18.19 +/- 5.20 vs 23.08 +/-4.71, P < 0.05) and plasma T level (116.41 +/- 3.19 vs 20.14 +/- 2.99, P < 0.05), but remarkably lower levels of E2, LH, FSH and PRL (P < 0.05) after medication, all with statistically significant differences from pre-medication (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Erdi Biejia Decoction is efficacious in the treatment of ED with kidney-yin deficiency, with no obvious adverse effects.

[Qianlie Beixi capsule for unliquefiable semen: a clinical study of 180 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and possible action mechanism of Qianlie Beixi Capsule in the treatment of unliquefiable semen. METHODS: A total of 240 patients with unliquefiable semen were randomly divided into a treatment group (n = 180), treated with Qianlie Beixi Capsule, and a control group (n = 60), given compound tablets of zinc and protein. The treatment lasted two courses of 45 days each, and the seminal changes were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients in the treatment group, 144 were cured, 12 responded and 24 failed to respond to the medication after the first course; and 158 were cured, 7 responded and 15 failed to after the second course, with the effectiveness rate of 91.67%. Meanwhile, sperm motility was obviously improved, with statistically significant difference from that of the controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Qianlie Beixi Capsule is effective for unliquefiable semen by improving the function of the prostate and shortening the time of seminal liquefaction.

[Correlation of premature ejaculation with central lumber intervertebral disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of premature ejaculation (PE) with central lumber intervertebral disc herniation (CLIDH) and the pathogenesis of PE, and to search for a convenient, effective and non-invasive method for the treatment of PE. METHODS: A total of 263 selected PE patients underwent CT, and those that were found with CLIDH were randomized into a treatment group (n=180) and a control (n=60), the former treated by lumbar traction and the latter with sertraline hydrochloride tablets, both for 24 weeks. CIPE-5 scores of all the patients were analyzed, and the ejaculation latency and sexual satisfaction were recorded before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Among the 263 PE patients, CLIDH was confirmed in 240 (91%). After the treatment, CIPE-5 scores, ejaculation latency and sexual satisfaction were markedly improved in the treatment group, with significant statistic difference from pre-treatment (P < 0.01). Significant differences were also observed between the treatment and the control groups after the treatment (P < 0.05), but not in the control group between pre- and post-treatment. CONCLUSION: CLIDH may be one of the important causes of most "unexplainable" PE cases. And lumbar traction, non-invasive, highly effective and easily manipulable, has provided a new access to the diagnosis and treatment of the PE patients with CLIDH.

[Effects of Jujingwan on nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase in seminal plasma of asthenospermia patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible action mechanism of Jujingwan on asthenospermia. METHODS: Semen routine analyses and determination of nitric oxide (NO) concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in seminal plasma were performed in 34 cases of asthenospermia. The changes of NO concentration and SOD activity before and after the treatment with Jujingwan were observed. RESULTS: Compared with pre-treatment, there was no significant change in NO concentration, and the activity of SOD decreased significantly after the treatment ([95.97 +/- 20.75] microg/L vs [6.14 +/- 19.99] microg/L). There was negative correlation between NO concentration and SOD activity before the treatment (r = -0.246, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Jujingwan can significantly improve sperm viability in patients with asthenospermia. However, the excellent effects of Jujingwan are not displayed in the changes of NO concentration and SOD activity.

[Effects of herbs for replenishing yin to tonify kidney on testicular ultrastructural changes in rats with glucocorticoid-induced kidney deficiency].

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.

[Integrated treatment for azoospermia caused by radiotherapy after surgical treatment of spermatocytoma: a case report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a therapeutic method for male infertility caused by radiotherapy after surgical treatment of spermatocytoma. METHODS: A case of azoospermia caused by radiotherapy after surgical treatment of spermatocytoma was reported and the Chinese medicine Jiaweishuiluerxiandan was used as a major therapy for 3 years. RESULTS: The patient's health condition was improved dramatically two years after being treated by the Chinese medicine but no sperm was found in his semen. However, three years after the treatment, his spermatozoon density was recovered from zero to 2.0 x 10(6)/ml with normal morphology. His sperm was subsequently used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which made his spouse pregnant successfully, and an healthy male infant was born by caesarean birth. CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine is a successful try at treating male infertility caused by radiotherapy after surgical treatment of spermatocytoma. For those who have failed to get their sperm frozen before surgery, Chinese medicine is a choice for remediation.

[A report of 31 cases of asthenospermia treated by jujing granulation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Jujing granulation on asthenospermia. METHODS: Thirty-six patients aged from 24 to 39 years with asthenospermia were received at our clinic of andrology from July 2004 to April 2005, and they were given Jujing granulation 120 ml twice a day for 3 months. The sperm parameters of the patients were analyzed by computer assisted sperm analysis system before and after Jujing granulation treatment. RESULTS: Of the 31 patients who accomplished 3-month Jujing granulation therapy, only 3 remained unimproved in sperm parameters, while the other 28 were significantly improved in rapid sperm motility, forward sperm motility and total sperm motility, except in sperm density. Five of the patients' wives got pregnant and one had a child. CONCLUSION: Oral Jujing granulation therapy is efficacious for asthenospermia.

[Clinical research on Linbiqing decoction for the treatment of chronic prostatitis following sexually transmitted disease].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect of Linbiqing decoction on chronic prostatitis following sexually transmitted disease (CPFSTD). METHODS: Linbiqing decotion was given orally to 36 patients with CPFSTD, and the therapeutic effet was assessed by observing the clinical symptoms and measuring the objective indexes before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Four to eight weeks after the drug administration, the overall effectivity rate was 72.22%, and the scores of NIH-CPSI were decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Linbiqing decoction has definite therapeutic effect on CPFSTD, and can be considered as an effective means for the treatment of the disease.