[Expression of CLAUDIN-11 in the testicular tissue of the patient with non-obstructive azoospermia and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of CLAUDIN-11 in the testis tissue of non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) patients with different severities and investigate its clinical significance. METHODS: Sixty-two NOA patients were divided into a hypospermatogenesis (HS) group (n = 30) and a Sertoli cell only syndrome (SCO) group (n =32). The expression of CLAUDIN-11 in the testicular tissue of the patients was detected by immunohistochemistry, that of CLAUDIN-11 mRNA determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the levels of serum reproductive hormones measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of CLAUDIN-11 was mainly in the cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells around the seminiferous tubule wall in the HS group, but diffusely distributed in the membrane of the Sertoli cells in the SCO group. RT-qPCR revealed a significantly lower expression of CLAUDIN-11 mRNA in the HS than in the SCO group (0.008 ± 0.001 vs 0.013 ± 0.002, t = 10.616, P<0.01). The level of serum luteotropic hormone (LH) was also markedly lower in the HS than in the SCO group (ï¼»3.62 ± 1.34ï¼½ vs ï¼»4.96 ± 3.10ï¼½ IU/L, P<0.05) and so was that of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (ï¼»5.36 ± 2.80ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.65 ± 9.18ï¼½ IU/L, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The up-regulated expression of CLAUDIN-11 in Sertoli cells may play an important role in the development and progression of spermatogenic dysfunction in NOA patients.

[Shengjing tablets for semen non-liquefaction: a clinical study of 100 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and action mechanism of Shengjing Tablets in the treatment liquefaction. METHODS: We randomly assigned 150 patients with semen non-liquefaction to receive Shengjing Tablets group, n = 100) and vitamin E capsules (control group, n = 50) for 2 courses of 45 days each, followed by observation liquefaction time and other semen parameters. RESULTS: After the first course, 68 of the patients in the treatment group 20 responded and 12 failed to respond; and after the second course, 84 were cured, 9 responded and 7 failed to respond, effective rate of 93.0%. In comparison, only 8 of the controls were cured, 8 responded and 34 failed to respond after medication. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the treatment showed obvious improvement in sperm motility and concentration. CONCLUSION: Shengjing Tablets may shorten the time liquefaction, and can be used as a safe and effective therapy for semen non-liquefaction.

[Expression of TEKT4 protein decreases in the ejaculated spermatozoa of idiopathic asthenozoospermic men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the TEKT4 protein in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia. METHODS: We separated and purified the ejaculated sperm from idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients and normozoospermic men by Percoll discontinuous density gradients, and detected the distribution and the expressions of TEKT4 mRNA and TEKT4 protein by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: RT-PCR revealed that the expression of TEKT4 mRNA was significantly lower in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients than in those of the normozoospermic men (0.59 +/- 0.13 vs 0.75 +/- 0.15, t = 4.325, P < 0.05), and Western blot confirmed the results of RT-PCR (0.48 +/- 0.14 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, t = 5.939, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of TEKT4 is significantly decreased in the ejaculated sperm of idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients, which might be one of the causes of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

[CatSper1 protein and idiopathic asthenozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the cation channel of sperm 1 (CatSper1) protein in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia. METHODS: Sperm samples from patients with idiopathic asthenozoospermia were separated by Percoll discontinuous density gradients, and the distribution and expression of the CatSper1 protein were determined by immunocytochemistry. Western blotting was used to detect the different expressions of CatSper1 in the ejaculated sperm from the normal control, mild asthenozoospermia, moderate asthenozoospermia and severe asthenozoospermia groups, followed by statistical analyses. RESULTS: The expression of CatSper1, located in the principle piece of the sperm tail, was reduced significantly in the samples from the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients as compared with the normal controls (t = 2.188, P = 0.042). The relative contents of the CatSper1 protein in the sperm of the control, mild asthenozoospermia, moderate asthenozoospermia and severe asthenozoospermia groups were 0.806 +/- 0.266, 0.669 +/- 0.207, 0.505 +/- 0.214 and 0.295 +/- 0.162, respectively, significantly decreased in the asthenozoospermia patients in comparison with the normal controls (P <0.05). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of progressively motile sperm and the relative content of the CatSper1 protein (r = 0.633, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The decreased or abnormal expression of the CatSper1 protein may be a factor involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

[Expression of SEPT4 protein in the ejaculated sperm of idiopathic asthenozoospermic men].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the SEPT4 protein in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia. METHODS: Samples of ejaculated sperm from idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients and normozoospermic men were separated and purified by Percoll discontinuous density gradients, the distribution and expression of SEPT4 in the sperm samples were determined by immunocytochemistry, and the expressions of SEPT4 mRNA and SEPT4 protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Immunocytochemistry showed that the expression of SEPT4, located in the annulus, was significantly reduced in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients (t = 3.452, P < 0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the expression of SEPT4 mRNA was significantly lower in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients than in those of the normozoospermic men (t = 3.521, P < 0.05). Western blot confirmed the results of RT-PCR (t = 5.872, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of SEPT4 is significantly decreased in the ejaculated sperm of idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients, which might be one of the causes of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

[Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and prostate cancer].

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has a close relation with prostate cancer. It is involved not only in angiogenesis, cell proliferation/survival and glucose metabolism but also in p53, p21 and signal transduction pathway in prostate cancer. Further studies of HIF-1 may yield new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. We present a review of the structure and biological functions of HIF-1 and its relation with prostate cancer.

[RNA interference inhibits VEGF expression and growth of PC-3 in prostate carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To construct a eukaryotic expression vector carrying human VEGF RNAi and to study the effect of RNA interference on VEGF expression in prostate carcinoma. METHODS: VEGF RNAi was synthesized, inserted into the RNA interference eukaryotic expression vector, and confirmed by the result sequencing. The vector was transfected into prostate cancer PC-3, the VEGF expression detected by Western blot and the cell inhibiting rate determined by MTT. RESULTS: The VEGF RNAi eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. Compared with the empty vector group and the control group, the amount of VEGF protein expression was obviously decreased in the VEGF RNAi group. The inhibiting rates were 23.5% , 33. 5% and 40. 8% at 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. CONCLUSION: VEGF RNAi can inhibit the protein expression and growth of PC-3, which provides an experimental base for the biological therapy of prostate cancer.