[Neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in the treatment of diabetic ED by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway].

Diabetic ED (DMED) is a sexual dysfunction disease accompanied by poor blood sugar control, which is a most common organic ED clinically, with the lesions of the nervous system as the most important pathological mechanism in the process of its occurrence. Ferroptosis is a new form of autophagy-dependent cell death involved in the development and progression of a variety of diseases and closely related to the death of nerve cells. The ferroptosis pathway has been conformed to be involved in the mechanism of neuromodulation of DMED, which can be used as an important basis for the treatment of the disease. Studies have shown that some herbal extracts can inhibit the ferroptosis pathway of nerve cells. This review summarizes the neuroprotective mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in the treatment of DMED by inhibiting the ferroptosis pathway of nerve cells, and provides a theoretical foundation for future clinical treatment of the disease.

[Alterations of regional homogeneity in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: A study by resting-state functional MRI].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between the brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) features and the clinical characteristics of the patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). METHODS: Using IIEF-5 and the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, we evaluated the erectile function and psychosocial status of 32 pED patients and 28 healthy male subjects. Then, we compared the regional brain activity between the patients and healthy controls by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) and the ReHo method, analyzed the correlation of the ReHo value of the altered brain regions with the results of IIEF-5 and SEAR questionnaire investigation, and explored the relationship between the ReHo features and the symptoms of the pED patients. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy male subjects, the pED patients obtained significantly lower IIEF-5 scores (22.21 ± 0.98 vs 13.97 ± 3.60, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (61.92 ± 3.73 vs 37.58 ± 7.96, P < 0.01), a higher ReHo value of the left lateral cerebellum, and a lower ReHo value of the right precentral gyrus. The ReHo value of the left lateral cerebellum was correlated negatively with the IIEF-5 scores (r= －0.51, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (r = －0.54, P < 0.01), while that of the right precentral gyrus positively with the IIEF-5 scores (r = 0.57, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pED had lateral cerebellum-mediated abnormal sensory integration and precentral gyrus-related dysfunction of motor imagery and motor execution.

[Effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the MAPK signaling pathway in SD rats with asthenospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on sperm quality and the MAPK signaling pathway in the SD rat model of asthenospermia (AS). METHODS: A total of 100 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of equal number, blank control, AS model control, high-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and low-dose QJT. All the rats were intragastrically administered ORN at 200 mg/kg/d for establishment of the AS model except those in the blank control group, which were given 1% CMC sodium solution at 1 ml/100 g by gavage. Meanwhile the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups were gavaged with QJT at 6700, 3300 and 1700 mg/kg/d, respectively, qd 6 days a week for 20 days. Then the testis issue and the apoptosis of the testicular cells were observed under the electron microscope, the expression of vimentin in the testis was determined with the immunohistochemical SP method, that of ERK1/2 detected by Western blot, and the concentration of TGF-ß1 in the semen measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The AS model controls showed round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, broken or lost mitochondria, and expanded rough endoplasmic reticulum in the testis tissue. In comparison, the rats of the high-, medium-, and low-dose QJT groups exhibited round nuclei of spermatocytes, homogeneously distributed chromatins, and well-structured mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and ribosome, which were all similar those of the blank controls. Compared with the blank controls, the AS model rats manifested significantly increased expressions of ERK1/2 (1.00 ± 0.00 vs 1.26 ± 0.10, P<0.01) and vimentin (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.01, P<0.01) and apoptosis rate of cells in the testis tissue (ï¼»9.20 ± 3.07ï¼½ vs ï¼»42.20 ± 9.17ï¼½ %, P<0.01), but decreased level of TGF-ß1 in the semen (ï¼»627.67 ± 26.07ï¼½ vs ï¼»566.73 ± 68.44ï¼½ ng/ml, P<0.05). In comparison with the model controls, the rats of the high- and medium- -dose QJT groups presented remarkably down-regulated expressions of ERK1/2 (1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.14 ± 0.08, P<0.01; 1.26 ± 0.10 vs 1.18 ± 0.05, P<0.05) and vimentin (0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.16 ± 0.01, P<0.01; 0.17 ± 0.01 vs 0.17 ± 0.09, P<0.05) and decreased rate of cell apoptosis (ï¼»42.20 ± 9.17ï¼½ vs ï¼»21.60 ± 5.94ï¼½ %, P<0.01; ï¼»42.20 ± 9.17ï¼½ vs ï¼»33.95 ± 6.39ï¼½ %, P<0.05). The concentration of TGF-ß1 in the semen was markedly lower in the high-dose QJT than in the AS model control group (ï¼»621.78 ± 30.80ï¼½ vs ï¼»566.73 ± 68.44ï¼½ ng/ml, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Qiangjing Tablets could improve semen quality in asthenospermia rats by acting against oxidative stress.

[Traditional Chinese medicine fumigation combined with Levofloxacin for type â ¢A prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) fumigation on type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis. METHODS: We randomly divided 72 cases of type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis into an experimental and a control group of equal number, the former treated with TCM fumigation plus oral Levofloxacin while the latter with oral Levofloxacin only. After 4 weeks of treatment, we compared the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIHCPSI) score, TCM symptoms score, maxinum flow rate (Qmax), and average urinary flow rate (Qave) between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: The total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the experimental than in the control group (91.7% vs 61.1%, P< 0.01), while the NIHCPSI score in the experimental group was markedly decreased after treatment as compared with the baseline (14.5 ± 8.2 vs 26.5 ± 9.3, P< 0.05) and significantly lower than that in the control (14.5 ± 8.2 vs 20.6 ± 7.9, P< 0.05). Qmax was remarkably increased in the experimental group after treatment in comparison with the baseline (ï¼»21.2 ± 4.3ï¼½ vs ï¼»15.8 ± 3.6ï¼½ ml/s, P< 0.05) and the control group, and so was Qave as compared with pretreatment (ï¼»16.3 ± 3.5ï¼½ vs ï¼»10.5 ± 2.8ï¼½ ml/s, P< 0.05) and the control. However, the patients of the control group showed no statistically significant differences before and after treatment either in Qmax (ï¼»15.4 ± 3.4ï¼½ vs ï¼»16.1 ± 2.9ï¼½ ml/s, P>0.05) or in Qave (ï¼»10.9 ± 2.4ï¼½ vs ï¼»11.1 ± 2.9ï¼½ ml/s, P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TCM fumigation combined with Levofloxacin is an effective therapy for type ⅢA prostatitis with the symptoms of damp heat and blood stasis, which can significantly improve the symptoms, reduce the NIHCPSI score, and increase the Qmax and Qave of the patient.

[Inhibitory effect of Qiangjing Tablets on the Fas/FasL pathway of cell apoptosis in male SD rats with infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Qiangjing Tablets (QJT) on the semen quality and Fas/FasL signaling pathway in male SD rats with infertility. METHODS: Models of infertility were made in 50 male SD rats by intragastric administration of Tripterygium (GTW) for 3 weeks, and another 20 rats were taken as blank controls. Then 40 successfully established rat models were randomly divided into four groups, model control, low-dose QJT, medium-dose QJT, and high-dose QJT, the latter three groups treated intragastrically with QJT at 58 mg, 105 mg, and 233 mg per kg of the body weight per day, respectively. After 4 weeks of medication, the rats were killed for examination of semen quality and determination of the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the blank controls, the model rats showed significant decreases in sperm concentration ([71.99 ± 9.72] vs [10.94 ± 3.58] x 106/ml, P < 0.01), motility ([48.95 ± 4.10] vs [9.31 ± 5.79]%, P < 0.01), and viability ( [82.06 ± 6.16] vs [24.03 ± 6.93]%, P < 0.01). In comparison with the model controls, the rats in the QJT groups exhibited remarkably increased sperm concentration, motility, and viability, more significantly in the high-dose group ([59.66 ± 4.53] x 106/ml, [35.45 ± 5.21] %, and [61.97 ± 9.75]%) and medium-dose group ([40.89 ± 4.90] x 106/ml, [24.41 ± 4.79]%, and [60.06 ± 10.62]%) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The expression of FasL was markedly reduced in the low-, medium-, and high-dose QJT groups (0.5215 ± 0.0189, 0.5371 ± 0.0364, and 0.4556 ± 0.0215) as compared with that of the model controls (0.5989 ± 0.0448 ) (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: By upregulating the Fas/FasL signaling pathway, Tripterygium glycosides may induce the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells and reduce sperm concentration, motility and viability, resulting in infertility. The Chinese medicine Qiangjing Tablets can improve the reproductive function of male rats by decreasing the expression of the apoptosis factor FasL in the testis.

[Qilin Pills for obstructive azoospermia after ejaculatory duct reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Qilin Pills in the treatment of severe oligozoospermia after microsurgical ejaculatory duct reconstruction for obstructive azoospermia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 75 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ejaculatory duct reconstruction followed by administration of Qilin Pills. The patients were divided into a Qilin group (n=42) and a control group (n=33) postoperatively, treated with Qilin Pills and placebo, respectively. After 3 months of medication, we compared the sperm quality between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After 3 months' treatment, all the patients experienced remarkable improvement in sperm quality (P<0.05). Compared with the controls, the patients in the Qilin group showed dramatic increases in sperm concentration, from (0.57±0.25) and (0.60±0.18) ×106/ml before medication to (2.83±0.59) and (1.72 ±0.52) ×106/ml after medication, significantly higher in the Qilin than in the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of grade a sperm was increased from (5.52±5.97) and (5.30±6.26)% to (11.56±9.96) and (10.27±6.52)%, that of grade a+b sperm from (9.68±8.63) and (8.64±10.10)% to (23.42 ±14.10) and (20.81±14.70)%, and that of morphologically normal sperm from (2.00±1.27) and (2.31±0.94)% to (3.54±2.47) and (3.47±1.33)%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in sperm motility and normal sperm morphology between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). The total effectiveness rate was higher in the Qilin group than in the controls (88.1% vs 72.7%), but with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Qilin Pills are fairly effective in improving the quantity of sperm in obstructive azoospermia patients after ejaculatory duct reconstruction.

[Effects of Yishen Shengjing Capsules on semen quality and gonadal hormone levels in rats with dibutyl phthalate-induced reproductive function injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible pathogenesis of infertility caused by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and investigate the effects of Yishen Shengjing Capsules (YSC, kidney-tonifying and essence-producing capsules) on DBP-induced reproductive function injury and its possible action mechanisms in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Models of DBP-induced reproductive function injury were made in 80 male Wistar rats and another 20 were used as blank controls. After modeling, the model rats were randomly divided into a model control, a high-dose YSC, a medium-dose YSC, and a low-dose YSC group. Four weeks after intervention, all the animals were sacrified for observation of the histomorphologic changes in the testis under the light microscope, measurement of sperm concentration, motility and abnormality, and determination of the levels of serum testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Compared with the blank controls, the model rats showed obvious pathological changes in testicular histomorphology, significantly decreased sperm concentration and motility, increased sperm abnormality, reduced contents of serum T and LH, and elevated the level of serum FSH (P<0.01). After 4 weeks of medication, the animals of the high-, medium-, and low-dose YSC groups, in comparison with the model controls, exhibited different degrees of recovery from testicular histomorphological damage, remarkably increased sperm concentration and motility, decreased sperm abnormality, elevated levels of serum T and LH, and reduced content of serum FSH (P<0.01). There were statistically significant differences in all the parameters above between the high-dose YSC and medium- and low-dose YSC groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: DBP reduces sperm motility and concentration, increases sperm abnormality, causes damage to the morphological structure of the rat testis, decreases the contents of serum T and LH, and elevates the level of the serum FSH. Yishen Shengjing Capsules can improve DBP-induced productive function injury, increase sperm motility and concentration, decrease sperm abnormality, elevate the level of serum T and LH, reduce the content of serum FSH, improve the morphological structure of the testis, and thus promote the reproductive function of the male rat.

[Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin: an efficacious therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical effect and safety of the Chinese medicine Longbishu Capsule combined with mesylate doxazosin in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, double-simulation control study. We equally assigned 60 men diagnosed with BPH of the kidney deficiency and blood stagnation type to an experimental and a control group, the former treated with mesylate doxazosin plus Longbishu Capsule and the latter with mesylate doxazosin plus placebo. We compared the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), Chinese symptom score (CSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and prostate volume between the two groups of patients before and after 6 months of medication. RESULTS: After treatment, there were 5 cured cases, 13 markedly effective cases, 9 effective cases, 1 ineffective case, and 2 eliminated cases in the experimental group, as compared with 2 cured cases, 8 markedly effective cases, 10 effective cases, 7 ineffective cases, and 3 eliminated cases in the control group. The total effectiveness rate was obviously higher in the former (96.4%) than in the latter (74.1%). IPSS, Qmax, and CSS were improved in both of the groups after medication, even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (IPSS: 15.22 ± 2.98 vs 18.15 ± 5.88, P <0.05; Qmax: [13.56 ± 2.26] ml/s vs [11.78 ± 2.97] ml/s, P <0.05; CSS: 6.18 ± 2.13 vs 9.52 ± 3.15, P <0.05). Because of the difference in the QOL score between the two groups at the baseline (P = 0.038 <0.05), no more comparison was made in this aspect after treatment. CONCLUSION: The combination of Longbishu Capsule with mesylate doxazosin is safe and effective for the treatment of BPH.

[Effects of Qiangjing Capsule on the oxidative and antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Qiangjing Capsule (QC) on the oxidative amd antioxidative system in the epididymis of varicocele rats in comparison with those of Shaofuzhuyu Capsule (SC) and Wuziyanzong Capsule (WC), and to explore its possible mechanism of enhancing epididymal sperm maturation. METHODS: Ten of 100 adolescent male SD rats were randomized to a sham-operation group, and varicocele models were successfully established in 72 of the other 90 by narrowing of the left renal vein. Then the model rats were equally assigned to 6 groups: model control, high-dose QC (0.216 g/ml), medium-dose QC (0.108 g/ml), low-dose QC (0.054 g/ml), SC (0.146 g/ml), and WC (0.130 g/ml). After 4 weeks of treatment, we determined the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the left epididymis of different groups of rats. RESULTS: Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group showed a significant decrease in GPx activity (P < 0.01) and a marked increase in the MDA level (P < 0.05). And the high-dose QC group exhibited a significantly hither GPx activity and lower MDA level than all the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Varicocele can reduce the activity of GPx and elevate the level of MDA in the epididymis of rats, while Qiangjing Capsule can increase the former and decrease the latter, and thereby may improve epididymal microenvironment, enhance epididymal sperm maturation and promote fertility.

[Modified Bazhengsan for urination symptoms of chronic prostatis with damp-heat accumulated in the lower jiao].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of the modified formula of Bazhengsan on the urination symptoms of chronic prostatis with damp-heat accumulated in the lower jiao. METHODS: A total of 72 chronic prostatitis patients with damp-heat accumulated in the lower jiao were equally randomized to receive the modified formula of Bazhengsan (the trial group) and the primal Bazhengsan (the control group), both for a course of 28 days. Then we observed the changes in the NIH-CPSI scores, scores on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome, maximum flow rate of urine (MFR) and results of the expressed prostatic secretion test (EPS). RESULTS: Among the 31 patients of the trial group, 6 were cured, 10 achieved excellent results, 9 got improved, and 6 failed to respond, with a total efficacy rate of 80.6%. While in the control group, 4 were cured, 10 achieved excellent results, 11 got improved, and 7 failed to respond, with a total efficacy rate of 78.1%. Significant improvement was observed in NIH-CPSI scores, TCM syndrome and EPS results in both of the groups (P < 0.05), and the trial group showed significant difference from the control in the improvement of urination symptoms (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified Bazhengsan is effective in the treatment of chronic prostatis with damp-heat in the lower jiao. It can significantly improve its clinical symptoms, especially urination symptoms.

[Effects of electroacupuncture on the expression of nestin in endogenous neural stem cell in hippocampus in rats with focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture for treating focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Seventy-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an electroacupuncture group, 25 cases in each group. The model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was established by inserting nylon thread into the internal carotid artery except the control group which was only separated of the carotid artery without occlusion. Electroacupuncture group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Dazhui (GV 14)" and the other groups without electroacupuncture treatment. The number of nestin positive cells expression at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion was observed by use of immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: The number of nestin positive cells in electroacupuncture group at ischemia side was significantly more than that in the model group at 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and at contralateral ischemia side, the number of nestin positive cells in the electroacupuncture group was significantly more than that in the model group only at 7th day (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at "Baihui (GV 20)" and "Dazhui (GV 14)" in rats can increase the number of nestin positive cells in hippocampus after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may be one of the important mechanisms of electroacupuncture in treating acute cerebral ischemic diseases.

[Effect of zengjing no. 1 capsule on morphology and motility of sperm in patients with oligospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Zengjing Capsule No. 1 (ZJC1) on morphology and motility of sperm in patients with oligospermia (OSM). METHODS: Seventy-two OSM patients were assigned to 2 groups by a randomizing digital table, the treated group and the control group, they were treated respectively by ZJC1 and Wuzi Yanzong Pill (WYP). The changes of density, motility and morphology of sperm in patients before and after 3-month treatment were examined using computerized WLJY-9000 colour semen analysis system with refined Papanicolaou's stain. RESULTS: The density, motility and morphology of sperm were improved and sperm deformity rate was significantly decreased after treatment in both groups (P < 0.01), but the effects in the treated group were better than those in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ZJC1 can enhance the density and motility of sperm and reduce the sperm deformity rate in patients with OSM.

[Xiaojin Wan inhibits the expression of COX-2 in prostate tissues of prostatitis pain rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Xiaojin Wan on the expression of COX-2 in the prostate tissues of rats with prostatitis pain, and the action mechanism of the drug alleviating the prostatitis pain. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups, 10 as blank controls, injected with aqua pro injection into the ventral part of prostate, and the other 50 as prostatitis pain models, given complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Three days later, the pain model rats were again equally divided into 5 subgroups: model control, Celecoxib Capsules, high-, median- and low-dose Xiaojin Wan, receiving intragastric administration of distilled water, Celecoxib Capsules and different doses of Xiaojin Wan respectively for 4 weeks. Then they were killed, the harvested tissues fixed with 10% paraformaldehyde and the changes of the COX-2 expression in the prostate detected with the immunohistochemical technique and graphics video analysis system. RESULTS: The expression of COX-2 was strong in the model group, significantly lower in the high- and median-dose and the Celecoxib Capsules groups than in the model control (P < 0.01) as well as in the high-dose than in the median- and low-dose groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Xiaojin Wan may alleviate prostatitis pain by inhibiting the expression of COX-2 in prostate tissues.

[English translation of the title of ancient Chinese medical books and documents].

The title of a book is, generally, the high concentration of the writer's intention and the theme of content. Translate the title of an ancient Chinese medical book or document accurately and plainly is meaningful for exhibiting the style of the book, also for promoting the international communication of TCM. The principle should be followed is to choose the translating terms accurately to reveal the theme of content and express the cultural connotation of the book perfectly.