Prevalence of late-onset hypogonadism among middle-aged and elderly males in China: results from a national survey / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to propose an operational definition of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) that incorporates both clinical symptoms and serum testosterone measurements to evaluate the prevalence of LOH in aging males in China. A population-based sample of 6296 men aged 40 years-79 years old was enrolled from six representative provinces in China. Serum total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured and free testosterone (cFT) was calculated. The Aging Males' Symptoms (AMS) scale was used to evaluate the LOH symptoms. Finally, 5078 men were included in this analysis. The TT levels did not decrease with age (P = 0.59), and had no relationship with AMS symptoms (P = 0.87 for AMS total score, P = 0.74 for ≥ 3 sexual symptoms). The cFT levels decreased significantly with age (P < 0.01) and showed a negative association with the presence of ≥ 3 sexual symptoms (P = 0.03). The overall estimated prevalence of LOH was 7.8% (395/5078) if a cFT level <210 pmol l

Analysis of semen quality of 38 905 infertile male patients during 2008-2016 in Wenzhou, China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study analyzed the trend in semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou, China, based on the data obtained from 38 905 patients during 2008-2016 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (Wenzhou, China). The results showed that only 24.9% of the patients had normal semen quality. For the semen quality of infertile male patients, that of the workers and 40-year-olds was significantly worse than the other occupational and age groups. For all the infertile patients, low semen volume, asthenozoospermia, and teratozoospermia accounted for 8.4%, 50.5%, and 54.1%, respectively. During 2008-2016, the annual mean percentage of fast forward motile spermatozoa, percentage of total forward motile spermatozoa, and percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology decreased linearly with slopes of -2.11, -2.59, and -0.70, respectively. The proportion of patients with asthenozoospermia and multi-abnormal spermatozoa increased during 2008-2016 with slopes of 4.70 and 4.87, respectively, while for low semen volume, it decreased with a slope of -0.47 in the same time period. The proportion of patients with teratozoospermia increased from 2008 to 2011 and from 2011 to 2016 with slopes of 17.10 and 2.09, respectively. In general, the deteriorating trend of semen quality of infertile male patients in Wenzhou was obvious. Future efforts should be made to reveal the adverse influences on semen quality, such as occupational exposure, environmental quality, and living habits. Furthermore, more pervasive reproduction health education is necessary.

Efficacy and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in the treatment of ED: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy (LI-ESWT) in the treatment of ED based on the available clinical evidence.@*METHODS@#We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP, CBM and Wanfang Database up to June 2018 for published randomized controlled trials on the treatment of ED by LI-ESWT. We performed literature screening, data extraction and quality evaluation according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, and conducted a meta-analysis of the data obtained using the RevMan 5.3 software.@*RESULTS@#A total of 595 ED cases in 8 double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCT) were included in this study, 362 in the LI-ESWT and 233 in the control group. Compared with the controls, the patients treated by LI-ESWT showed significantly improved IIEF (WMD = 1.70, 95% CI: 0.44－2.96, P = 0.008) and erection hardness score (EHS) (RR = 11.72, 95% CI: 5.13－26.80, P < 0.01). The IIEF scores of the patients were markedly increased at 4 and 24 weeks after LI-ESWT (WMD = 1.43, 95% CI: 0.10－2.75, P = 0.03; WMD = 3.09, 95% CI: 1.49－4.68, P = 0.0002), as well as after the 10th to 12th treatment (WMD = 1.81, 95% CI: 0.31－3.31, P = 0.02) though not after the 5th to 6th (WMD = 1.88, 95% CI: －2.10 to 5.86, P = 0.35). LI-ESWT also significantly increased the IIEF scores in the patients with the baseline IIEF ≥12 (WMD = 2.13, 95% CI: 0.51－3.75, P = 0.01) but not in those with the baseline IIEF ≤11 (WMD = 1.04, 95% CI: －0.96 to 3.03, P = 0.31). No significant adverse events were reported in the 8 RCTs.@*CONCLUSIONS@#As a non-invasive treatment, LI-ESWT is safe and effective and can significantly improve IIEF and EHS in ED patients.

Impacts of electromagnetic radiation from cellphones and Wi-Fi on spermatogenesis / 中华男科学杂志

With the development of Wi-Fi technology and widespread exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR), people are increasingly concerned about the health hazards caused by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as from cellphones and Wi-Fi, particularly about the current decline in sperm concentration and increase in male infertility. Long-term exposure to EMR not only damages male reproductive organs, but also affects the number, morphology, motility and oocyte-binding ability of sperm, and indirectly increases the risk of infertility. However, EMR is not unavoidable. Low-intensity short-term or intermittent exposure to EMR has little adverse effect on reproductive organs and sperm. And many antioxidant and anti-free radical agents, such as vitamin E and melatonin, can protect some special populations from EMR. This review presents an overview of the impacts of EMR from cellphones and Wi-Fi on sperm, some countermeasures, and prospects of EMR protection.

Effect of saw palmetto extract on the reproductive function of male rats with chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of saw palmetto extract (SPE) on the reproductive function of rats with chronic prostatitis (CP).@*METHODS@#Forty male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (blank control), B (blank control + SPE, C (CP model control) and D (CP model + SPE), and the CP model was made by injection of 1% λ-carrageenan solution into the prostate. The animals in groups A and C were gavaged with normal saline while those in groups B and D with SPE at 0.10 g/kg/d, all for 30 successive days. After drug withdrawal, the rats were mated with female ones in the ratio of 1∶1) and sacrificed 7 days later, their bilateral epididymides collected for detection of sperm count and motility. The numbers of pregnancies and fetuses were recorded and compared among different groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the rats in group A, those in group C showed a marked decrease in epididymal sperm motility (［68.01 ± 1.80］% vs ［62.59 ± 4.82］%, P 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the count of epididymal sperm, rate of pregnancy and number of fetuses between group A and the other groups (P > 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#SPE can improve the semen parameters of CP rats, and has no adverse effect on the rate of pregnancy and number of fetuses.

Influence of online social software on HIV transmission among men who have sex with men / 中华男科学杂志

The prevention and control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is important for public health. Sexual contact transmission has replaced blood transmission as a major route of HIV transmission in China. The incidence of HIV infection increased significantly among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Online social software instead of traditional venues has become a main means of seeking sexual partners. The application of online social software may contribute to an increased incidence of HIV among young MSMs by promoting such risky behaviors as having occasional or multiple sexual partners and drug abuse. Compared with the MSMs enrolled from traditional venues, those recruited online showed significant differences in the educational level, sexual behaviors, and HIV knowledge. Online social software is a promising way to improve the prevention and control of HIV as well as HIV-related epidemic surveys.

Fosfomycin tromethamine inhibits the expressions of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 in the prostate tissue of rats with chronic bacterial prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the effects of fosfomycin tromethamine (FT) on the expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the prostate tissue of the rats with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 70 male SD rats into 7 groups of equal number: blank control, CBP model control, positive control, 14 d low-dose FT, 7 d low-dose FT, 14 d high-dose FT, and 7 d high-dose FT. The CBP model rats in the latter five groups were treated intragastrically with levofloxacin at 100 mg/kg/d for 30 days and FT at 200 mg/kg/d for 14 and 7 days and at 300 mg/kg/d for 14 and 7 days, respectively. Then we collected the prostate tissue from the animals for determination of the levels of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the blank controls, the CBP model rats showed significantly increased levels of TNF-α (［19.83 ± 6.1］ vs ［32.93 ± 6.21］ ng/g prot, P <0.01), IL-8 (［8.26 ± 0.52］ vs ［16.2 ± 2.84］ ng/g prot, P <0.01) and IL-6 (［1.55 ± 0.11］ vs ［2.51 ± 1.06］ ng/g prot, P <0.05) in the prostate tissue. In comparison with the CBP model controls, the levels of TNF-α and IL-8 were remarkably decreased in the groups of positive control (［20.54 ± 5.78］ ng/g prot, P <0.01; ［12.43 ± 4.02］ ng/g prot, P <0.05), 14 d low-dose FT (［21.95 ± 6.48］ ng/g prot, P <0.01; ［11.11 ± 2.86］ ng/g prot, P <0.01), 7 d low-dose FT (［23.8 ± 6.93］ ng/g prot, P <0.05; ［12.43 ± 4.02］ ng/g prot, P <0.05), 14 d high-dose FT (［19.97 ± 2.58］ ng/g prot, P <0.01; ［8.83 ± 1.32］ ng/g prot, P <0.01), and 7 d high-dose FT (［21.97 ± 3.38］ ng/g prot, P <0.01; ［12.68±1.97］ ng/g prot, P <0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the positive control and FT groups in the contents of TNF-α, IL-8 or IL-6 (P >0.05). The expression of IL-6 was markedly reduced in the 14 d high-dose FT group as compared with the model controls (［1.76 ± 0.46］ vs ［2.51 ± 1.06］ ng/g prot, P<0.05) but exhibited no significant difference between the CBP model control and the other groups (P >0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Fosfomycin tromethamine inhibits the expressions of TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-6 in the prostate tissue, suppresses its inflammatory reaction, promotes the repair of damaged prostatic structure, and thus contributes to the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis in rats.</p>

Mycoplasma genitalium and male urogenital diseases: An update / 中华男科学杂志

Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) was first isolated by Tully from the urinary tract of the male patient with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in 1981. MG is extremely difficult to be cultured and was rarely studied until the development and application of molecular biology technology. The research on MG in China is still in the primary stage. However, relevant studies abroad have found that it is an important pathogen causing human genitourinary tract infection and spreading worldwide. Male MG infection is reportedly related to NGU, prostatitis, epididymitis, balanoposthitis, male HIV infection, and male infertility. This review outlines the advances in the studies of MG in male urogenital diseases.

Impact of Mycoplasma genitalium infection on the semen quality of infertile males / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To explore Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection in the urogenital tract of infertile men and its influence on semen quality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples were collected from 352 infertile males in the Center of Reproductive Medicine of Nanjing General Hospital from March to July 2015. MG infection was detected by real-time fluorescence simultaneous amplification and testing and semen analyses were conducted according to the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (5th Ed) on the semen pH value, semen volume, total sperm count, sperm concentration, total sperm motility, percentages of progressively motile sperm (PMS) and immotile sperm (IMS), and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis by t-test and non-parametric test (Wilcoxon test).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MG infection was found in 3.4% (12/352) of the infertile patients. Compared with the MG-positive cases, the MG-negative ones showed a significantly higher semen volume (［2.85 ± 0.14］ vs ［3.84 ± 0.12］ ml, P = 0.008) and percentage of PMS (［15.86±1.72］ vs ［60.95 ± 5.63］ %, P = 0.032) but a lower DFI (［30.73 ±2.24］ vs ［20.71 ± 1.55］%, P = 0.014). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the semen pH value (7.38 ±0.02 vs 7.39 ± 0.01, P = 0.774), sperm concentration (［52.96 ± 15.78］ vs ［60.05 ± 4.29］×10⁶/ml, P = 0.683), sperm count (［154.15 ± 46.37］ vs ［221.56 ± 15.43］×106, P = 0.236), total sperm motility (［29.04 ± 3.11］ vs ［33.52 ± 1.51］ %, P = 0.626), or percentage of IMS (［23.57 ± 0.99］ vs ［62.34 ± 1.69］ %, P = 0.691).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Urogenital MG infection is common in infertile males and potentially affects the semen quality, especially sperm vitality of the patient.</p>

Lipoic acid protects spermatogenesis in male rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To study the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) on the spermatogenic function of the male rats with oligoasthenozoospermia induced by ornidazole (ORN).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control: 1 ml 0.5% CMC-Na + 1 ml olive oil), B (low-dose ORN model: 400 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), C (low-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), D (low-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 400 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), E (high-dose ORN model: 800 mg/kg ORN suspension + 1 ml olive oil), F (high-dose ORN + low-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 50 mg/kg LA), and G (high-dose ORN + high-dose LA treatment: 800 mg/kg ORN + 100 mg/kg LA), and treated respectively for 20 successive days. Then all the rats were sacrificed and the weights of the body, testis, epididymis and seminal vesicle obtained, followed by calculation of the organ index, determination of epididymal sperm concentration and motility, and observation of the histomorphological changes in the testis and epididymis by HE staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with group A, group E showed significantly decreased body weight (［117.67 ± 11.53］ vs ［88.11 ± 12.65］ g, P < 0.01) and indexes of the testis (［1.06 ± 0.12］ vs ［0.65 ± 0.13］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.21 ± 0.03］ vs ［0.17 ± 0.01］ %, P < 0.01). In comparison with group E, group F exhibited remarkable increases in the epididymal index (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.20 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group G in the body weight (［88.11 ± 12.65］ vs ［102.70 ± 16.10］ g, P < 0.05) and the indexes of the testis (［0.65 ± 0.13］ vs ［0.95 ± 0.06］ %, P < 0.01) and epididymis (［0.17 ± 0.01］ vs ［0.19 ± 0.02］ %, P < 0.05), but no obvious difference was observed in the index of seminal vesicle among different groups. Compared with group A, group B manifested significant decreases in sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［40.25 ± 6.08］ %, P < 0.01), and so did group E in sperm count (［38.59 ± 6.40］ vs ［18.67 ± 4.59］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.01) and sperm motility (［74.12 ± 8.73］ vs ［27.58 ± 8.43］ %, P < 0.01). Sperm motility was significantly lower in group B than in C and D (［40.25 ± 6.08］ vs ［58.13 ± 7.62］ and ［76.04 ± 8.44］%, P < 0.01), and so were sperm count and motility in group E than in F and G (［18.67 ± 4.59］ vs ［25.63 ± 9.66］ and ［29.92 ± 4.15］ ×105/100 mg, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01; ［27.58 ± 8.43］ vs ［36.56 ± 11.08］ and ［45.05 ± 9.59］ %, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). There were no obvious changes in the histomorphology of the testis and epididymis in groups A, B, C and D. Compared with group A, group E showed necrotic and exfoliated spermatogenic cells with unclear layers and disorderly arrangement in the seminiferous tubules and remarkably reduced sperm count with lots of noncellular components in the epididymal cavity, while groups F and G exhibited increased sperm count in the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen, also with exfoliation, unclear layers and disorderly arrangement of spermatogenic cells, but significantly better than in group E.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LA can reduce ORN-induced damage to the spermatogenetic function of rats, improve sperm quality, and protect the reproductive system.</p>

Clinical application of the disposable vasographic interventional therapy kit in vasoseminal vesiculography / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the success rate and safety of percutaneous vasoseminal vesiculography with the disposable vasographic interventional therapy kit (VITK).@*METHODS@#This study included ninety-six 19－65 (mean 43) years old male patients with infertility, hematospermia, seminal vesicle cyst, ejaculatory duct cyst, ejaculatory dysfunction, or vas deferens injury, with disease courses varying from 1 month to 7 years. With an open, multi-centered, single-group, self-controlled design and using the disposable VITK, we treated the patients by percutaneous vasoseminal vesiculography via injection of contrast medium into the vas deferens cavity under local anesthesia.@*RESULTS@#Percutaneous vasoseminal vesiculography was successfully performed in 92 (97.87%) of the patients, which revealed abnormal seminal ducts in 51 cases (54.3%). Among the 28 infertile patients, 3 were found with bilateral and 5 with unilateral vas deferens obstruction. Vesiculitis was detected in 36 (81.8%) of the 44 hematospermia patients and bilateral vas deferens abnormality in 5 (38.5%) of the 13 patients with ejaculatory dysfunction. Transectional damage was observed in 2 patients with vas deferens injury induced by bilateral inguinal hernia repair. Three cases of seminal vesicle cyst and 4 cases of ejaculatory cyst were definitely diagnosed by vasoseminal vesiculography.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The disposable vasographic interventional therapy kit, with the advantages of simple operation and high safety, deserves a wide clinical application in vasoseminal vesiculography.

H₂O₂ alters metabolism in TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the mechanisms of oxidative stress-induced damage to TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse using metabolomics techniques based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).@*METHODS@#We established the model of oxidative stress-induced damage to mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by treatment with H₂O₂. Then, we detected the survival rate and apoptosis rate of the TM4 cells by MTT and flow cytometry respectively, measured the concentration of ROS in the TM4 cells with the DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, and determined the levels of endogenous metabolites in the TM4 cells by GC-MS after H₂O₂ intervention.@*RESULTS@#After 2 hours of treatment with H₂O₂ at 600 μmol/L, the survival rate of the TM4 cells was reduced to about 50%, and the total apoptosis rates in the low- (100 μmol/L), medium- (300 μmol/L), and high-dose (600 μmol/L) groups were (19.45 ± 0.53), (20.12 ± 0.58), and (37.13 ± 0.35)%, respectively, increased in a dose-dependent manner as compared with (10.28 ± 0.35)% in the blank control (P 1, P <0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Oxidative stress-induced damage and apoptosis of TM4 Sertoli cells are closely associated with the metabolism of amino acid, glucose, and energy in the cells.

Therapeutic effect of Jinghuosu on oligospermia and asthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of the compound preparation Jinghuosu on oligospermia and asthenospermia.@*METHODS@#This multi-centered clinical study included 120 cases of mild to moderate idiopathic oligospermia or asthenospermia, all treated with oral Jinghuosu once a bag, bid, for 3 successive months. Before and at 1, 2 and 3 months after treatment, we detected sperm concentration, total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm morphology of each ejaculate, and recorded whether the patients had any adverse reactions.@*RESULTS@#After 3 months of treatment, all the patients showed obvious improvement in semen parameters, most significantly in sperm concentration, total sperm motility, and the percentages of progressive motile sperm and morphologically normal sperm (P <0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed during the 3 months of medication.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Jinghuosu has a significant efficacy and no obvious adverse effect in the treatment of mild to moderate oligospermia and asthenospermia.

Protective effect of astaxanthin against epididymal oxidative damagein rats with ornidazole-induced oligoasthenozoospermia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the improving effect of astaxanthin (AST) on the sperm quality of rats with ornidazole (ORN)-induced oligoasthenozoospermiaand its action mechanism.@*METHODS@#Forty adult male SD rats were equally randomized into groups A (solvent control), B (low-dose ORN ［400 mg/（kg·d）］), C (high-dose ORN ［800 mg/（kg·d）］), D (low-dose ORN ［400 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ［20 mg/（kg·d）］), and E (high-dose ORN ［800 mg/（kg·d）］ + AST ［20 mg/（kg·d）］), all treated intragastrically for3 weeks.After treatment, the epididymal tails ononeside was taken for determination of sperm concentration and activity, and the epididymideson the other side harvested for measurement of the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD and the MDA contentin the homogenate.@*RESULTS@#Compared with group A, sperm motilityin the epididymal tail andGSH-Px and SOD activities in theepididymiswere markedly decreased while the MDAcontent significantlyincreased in group B (P<0.05), spermmotility and concentrationin the epididymal tail, testisindex, and the activities of GSH-Px, GR, CAT and SOD in the epididymis were remarkably reduced while theMDA contentsignificantly increased in group C(P<0.05). In comparison with group B, group D showed markedly increased sperm motility (［45.3±8.7］% vs ［66.3±8.9］%, P<0.05) in the epididymal tail and SOD activity in the epididymis (［116.7±25.3］ U/mg prot vs ［146.1±23.8］ U/mg prot, P<0.05), decreased MDA content(［1.68±0.45］ nmol/mg prot vs ［1.19±0.42］ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05).Compared with group C, group Eexhibited significant increases in the weight gained (［89.0±9.5］ vs ［99.9±4.1］ %, P<0.05) and sperm motility (［17.9±3.5］% vs ［27.3±5.3］ %, P<0.05) but a decrease in the content of MDA (［2.03±0.30］ nmol/mg prot vs ［1.52±0.41］ nmol/mg prot, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#AST can improve spermquality in rats with ORN-inducedoligoasthenozoospermia, which may be associated with its enhancing effect on the antioxidant capacity of the epididymis.

Combination of musk and olibanum promotes proliferation of prostate stem cells in mice: An experimental study / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To study the effects of muskolibanum combination on the proliferation and differentiation of prostate stem cells.@*METHODS@#We cultured prostate epithelial cells and urogenital sinus mesenchymal (UGSM) cells from 7－10 d old C57BL/6 mice and 16－18 d old pregnant C57BL/6 mice, transplanted the mixed suspension of the two types of cells under the kidney envelope of SCIDCB.17 male mice, and harvested the transplants 30 days later. We randomly divided the SCIDCB.17 mice into four groups to be treated intragastrically with musk (n = 8), olibanum (n = 8), musk+olibanum (n = 7), and normal saline (blank control, n = 8)) respectively, all for 14 days. Then we collected the kidney tissue for observation of the morphology of the glandular tubes and differentiation of different subsets of stem cells by HE staining and determination of the expressions and distribution of P63, CD133, CD117 and Sca1 by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#A system was successfully established for the isolation and mixed culture of Sca1 Lin+ CD49f+ (LSC) cells of prostate stem cells and UGSM cells of the mouse embryonic prostate. Immunohistochemistry showed positive expressions of P63, CD133, Sca1, and CD117 in the prostatic acinar epithelia and proved the presence of prostatic acinar epithelial structure in the transplants. Compared with the blank control group, the expressions of CD133, Sca1 and CD117 were significantly increased in the musk, olibanum, and musk+olibanum groups (P< 0.05), higher in the musk+olibanum than in the musk or olibanum group (P< 0.05), and their protein expressions were even more elevated in the musk+olibanum group (P< 0.01), with statistically significant difference from the olibanum group (P< 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The combination of musk and olibanum can improve the proliferation and differentiation of prostate stem cells.

Advances in the studies of lipoic acid in male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

Lipoic acid (LA) is widely present in the body as a disulfide compound with an extensive biological activity and a strong antioxidant capacity. LA plays an antioxidant role by removing oxygen free radicals, chelating metal ions, and regenerating other antioxidants in the body. Recent studies have shown the effects of LA in the prevention or treatment of male reproductive disorders, such as idiopathic oligoasthenozoospermia, diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction and infertility, serious infection in the reproductive system, and reproductive system injuries caused by chemotherapeutic agents, ionizing radiation, environmental toxins, testicular ischemia reperfusion, excessive exercise, and so on.

ilin Pills for oligoasthenospermia: Advances in clinical studies / 中华男科学杂志

Industrialization and environmental pollution are bringing more problems to human reproduction and increasing the prevalence of male infertility. Western medicine has shown its limitations in the management of male infertility, especially that of oligoasthenospermia. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), however, has long and rich experiences in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia, with a large variety of medicinal prescriptions based on the TCM theories, among which Qilin Pills shows a particularly significant therapeutic effect on oligoasthenospermia, especially when combined with Western medicine. At present, published studies on Qilin Pills are mainly in the stage of clinical observation, while basic researches and studies on its relevant mechanisms are rarely seen.

Ningmitai Capsule for the treatment of andrological diseases: Advances in studies / 中华男科学杂志

Ningmitai Capsule is a classical patent medicine prepared from multiple effective ingredients of Chinese herbal medicine, with a wide range of biological activities and a significant efficacy in the treatment of urogenital diseases. Ningmitai Capsule has been widely applied in the management of urological and andrological diseases, with a particularly ideal effect on chronic prostatitis, since its first introduction nearly 20 years ago. With no obvious adverse effect on the male reproductive system, it has also been gaining a gradual application in the treatment of such diseases as urinary tract infections, diabetes, non-gonococcal urethritis, seminal vesiculitis, acute epididymitis, overactive bladder, hematuria, and semen non-liquefaction. However, the definite efficacy of Ningmitai Capsule needs to be further verified with more large-scale multi-centered randomized controlled trials, and its pharmacological mechanism remains to be further explored via more biomolecular experiments. The present article focuses on the recent advances in the application and studies of Ningmitai Capsule in the treatment of urological and andrological diseases.

Protective effect of Qilin Pills on the reproductive function of oligoasthenospermia rats / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To study the protective effect of Qilin Pills (QLP) on the reproductive function of rats with oligoasthenospermia (OAS) induced by tripterygium glycosides.@*METHODS@#Twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into a normal control, an OAS model control, a low-dose QLP, and a high-dose QLP group of equal number. OAS models were made in the latter three groups by intragastrical administration of tripterygium glycosides at 40 mg per kg of the body weight per day, and meanwhile the animals in the low- and high-dose QLP groups were treated with QLP at 1.62 and 3.24 g per kg of the body weight per day, respectively, while those in the OAS model group with normal saline, all for 30 consecutive days. Then all the rats were executed for obtaining the testis weight, testis viscera index, epididymal sperm concentration and motility, reproductive hormone levels, and antioxidation indexes and observation of the histomorphological changes of the testis tissue by HE staining.@*RESULTS@#After 30 days of intervention, the low- and high-dose QLP groups, as compared with the OAS model controls, showed significantly improved epididymal sperm concentration (［14.57 ± 3.95］ and ［39.71 ± 11.31］ vs ［4.71 ± 1.25］ ×10⁶/ml, P <0.05) and motility (［3.71 ± 1.11］ and ［4.29 ± 1.80］ vs ［0.57 ± 0.53］%, P <0.05), increased levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (［94.83 ± 11.17］ and ［88.05 ± 9.21］ vs ［56.74 ± 8.29］ nmol/L, P <0.05) and free testosterone (FT) (［27.27 ± 3.63］ and ［32.80 ± 2.51］ vs ［22.81 ± 2.75］ nmol/L, P <0.05), decreased level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (［1.49 ± 0.62］ and ［1.12 ± 0.83］ vs ［1.71 ± 0.52］ mIU/ml, P <0.05), but no significant change in the total testosterone (TT) level. Meanwhile, the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was markedly elevated in the low- and high-dose QLP groups in comparison with the OAS model control group (［277.14 ± 15.84］ and ［299.60 ± 20.83］ vs ［250.04 ± 31.06］ U/ml, P <0.05) while that of reactive oxygen species (ROS) remarkably reduced (［397.61 ± 62.71］ and ［376.84 ± 67.14］ vs ［552.20 ± 58.07］ IU/ml, P <0.05). HE staining showed that QLP intervention significantly increased the layers and quantity of spermatogenic cells in the testicular seminiferous tubules of the OAS rats.@*CONCLUSIONS@#QLP can effectively protect the reproductive system of oligoasthenospermia rats by raising sperm quality, elevating reproductive hormone levels, reducing oxidative stress injury, and improving histomorphology of the testis.

Effects of Xialiqi Capsules on the expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 in rats withbenign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To explore the effects of Xialiqi Capsules(XLQ) on the expressions of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue of the BPH rat model.@*METHODS@#Fifty male SD ratswereequally randomized into groups A (sham operation control), B (BPH model control), C (high-dose XLQ), D (low-dose XLQ), and E (finasteridecontrol) andthe BPH modelswere established by subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 0.5 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for 30 days after castration. After modeling, the animals in groups A and B were treated intragastricallywith normal saline, while those in C, D, and E with XLQ at 1.20 and 0.61 g per kilogram of the body weight per day or finasterideat 0.8 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day, respectively, all for 30 days. Then,the bilateral prostates were harvestedfrom the rats for calculation of the prostatic index (prostate wet weight/ body weight) and determination of the expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 in the prostate tissue by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, respectively.@*RESULTS@#The prostate wet weight and prostate index were significantly increased in group B as compared with group A, (［1326±60］ vs［471±17］ g, P<0.01; ［2.89±0.18］ vs ［1.06±0.06］ mg/g, P<0.01), but decreased in groups C (［914±36］ g;［2.02±0.08］ mg/g), D (［1 099±46］g;［2.39±0.11］ mg/g), and E (［817±53］ g;［1.83±0.10］ mg/g)in comparison with B (P<0.01), with statistically significant differences among groups C, D, and E(P<0.01) and most significantly in E.The PCNA level in the prostate tissue wasremarkably higher in group B than in A, but lower in groups C, D and E than in B. The expression of caspase-3 was down-regulatedin group B as compared with A, but up-regulated in groups C, D and E in comparison with B, most significantly in E.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Xialiqi Capsules can effectively reduce the prostate wet weight and prostatic index of in rats with BPH by inhibiting the level of PCNA and promoting the expression of caspase-3.