Shugan Tongluo Qiangjing recipe protects against varicocele of EVC rats through modulating sperm DNA damage, telomere expression and oxidative stress.

Varicocele (VC) refers to expansion and tortuosity of spreading venous plexus in spermatic cord due to poor blood flow. This study aimed to investigate effects of Shugan Tongluo Qiangjing recipe (SGTL) on sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in experimental VC (EVC) rats. EVC model was established by partial ligation of left renal vein. Spermatic vein diameter, testicular weight, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were evaluated. Telomere reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression, telomere gene transcription, and testicular tissue morphology were determined·H2O2, catalase, SOD, T-AOC were measured with colorimetry. SGTL significantly decreased spermatic vein diameter (P=0.000) and increased testicular weight (P=0.013) of rats compared those of EVC rats. SGTL maintained testicular tissue morphology in EVC rats. SGTL markedly reduced sperm DFI value in sperm of rats compared to EVC rats (P=0.000). SGTL significantly enhanced TERT expression and telomere gene transcription (P=0.028) in testis of rats compared to EVC rats. SGTL reduced H2O2 levels (P=0.001) and promoted CAT activity (P=0.016), SOD activity (P=0.049), and T-AOC activity (P=0.047) of rats, compared to EVC rats. In conclusion, SGTL could reduce pathogenic process of EVC by reducing sperm DNA damage and regulating telomere length in EVC rats, which may be related to oxidative stress regulation.

[Tongjingling reduces ROS level and improves mitochondrial function in spermatogenic cells of varicocele rats with liver-qi stagnation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of the Chinese herbal compound Tongjingling (TJL) on the ROS level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and mitochondrial ultrastructure in spermatogenic cells in varicocele (VC) rats with liver-qi stagnation (LQS). METHODS: Totally, 72 male SPF Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of equal number, sham operation, VC+LQS model, low-, medium- and high-dose TJL, and L-carnitine (LC) control. The VC+LQS model was established by the Saypol method combined with tail-clamping. At 4 weeks after modeling, the rats in the low-, medium- and high-dose TJL groups were treated intragastrically with TJL at 0.6, 1.2 and 2.4 g/ml respectively, those in the sham operation and VC+LQS model groups with 0.9% saline, and those in the LC control group with LC oral liquid at 2.1 ml/kg, qd, for 8 weeks. Then the ROS level and MMP in the spermatogenic cells were measured by flow cytometry and the mitochondrial ultrastructure observed under the transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: The ROS level in the spermatogenic cells was significantly higher in the VC+LQS model and low-dose TJL groups than in the sham operation group (ï¼»62.72 ± 9.90ï¼½% and ï¼»52.25 ± 8.15ï¼½% vs ï¼»36.53 ± 5.25ï¼½%, P < 0.01), but remarkably lower in the medium-dose TJL (ï¼»41.65 ± 4.89ï¼½%), high-dose TJL (ï¼»39.60 ± 5.19ï¼½%) and LC control (ï¼»38.33 ± 7.46ï¼½%) than in the VC+LQS model group (P < 0.01). MMP in the spermatogenic cells was significantly lower in the VC+LQS model and low-dose TJL than in the sham operation group (ï¼»34.80 ± 20.18ï¼½% and ï¼»44.39 ± 19.60ï¼½% vs ï¼»60.24 ± 22.25ï¼½%, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05), but markedly higher in the medium-dose TJL (ï¼»50.62 ± 14.83ï¼½%), high-dose TJL (ï¼»52.42 ± 7.55ï¼½%) and LC control (ï¼»50.75 ± 15.65ï¼½%) than in the VC+LQS model group (P < 0.05). The mitochondria in the spermatogenic cells of the VC+LQS model rats exhibited swelling, vacuolization, rupture or disappearance of the mitochondrial cristae, and breakdown of the internal structure. The pathological injury of the mitochondrial structure was improved in different degrees in the TJL and LC groups. CONCLUSIONS: TJL can reduce the ROS level, increase MMP and improve pathological injury of the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the spermatogenic cells of VC rats with LQS, which may be the underlying molecular mechanism of TJL improving fertility in infertile VC patients.

[Tongjingling improves sperm DNA integrity and reduces oxidative stress in the testis of experimental varicocele rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of Tongjingling (TJL) against sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in the rat model of experimental varicocele (EVC). METHODS: We randomly divided 75 Wistar male rats into five groups of equal number: sham operation, EVC model, high-dose TJL, mid-dose TJL, and low-dose TJL. The EVC model was established in the rats by partial ligation of the left renal vein, followed by 8 weeks of medication from the 4th week after modeling. Then we observed the general status of the rats, detected the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the epididymis by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), and measured the content of hydroperoxide (H2O2) and the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the testis by colorimetry. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the EVC models showed significantly increased sperm DFI in the epididymis (P <0.01) and elevated level of H2O2 and activities of CAT and SOD in the testis (P <0.01). In comparison with the EVC models, the rats of the TJL groups exhibited remarkably reduced sperm DFI and H2O2 content, but increased activities of SOD and CAT. CONCLUSIONS: TJL can improve sperm DNA integrity by increasing the activities of SOD and CAT and reducing the H2O2 level and hence oxidative stress in the testis tissue.