ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the protective effect and mechanism of Wuzi Yanzong prescription on apoptosis in germ cell of adult male mice induced by cyclophosphamide( CTX). Methods: Male Balb / C mice were randomly divided into normal control group,model group,the low-,medium- and high- dose of Wuzi Yanzong prescription groups( 100 mg / kg,200 mg / kg and 400 mg / kg),with 10 mice in each group. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with CTX( 200 mg / kg) from 4th day,and gave drug once a week,and executed for 4 weeks. Three doses of Wuzi Yanzong prescription were intragastrically administered every day. For normal control group,the same procedure was performed with intraperitoneal normal saline. Twelve hours after giving CTX at last time, all mice were weighed and sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The testis was immediately dissected and weighed, and then calculated the testis index. The pathological changes of testis were observed by HE staining,the apoptosis of germ cells were detected by TUNEL, the expression of apoptosis-related protein Caspase-3,BAX,BCL-2 in testis were examined by Western blot. Results: Compared with normal control group, the body weight, testis weight,testis index,and the expression of BCL-2 protein levels in testis of model control group were significantly decreased, the expression of BAX,Caspase-3 protein levels and apoptosis in testis of model control group were significantly increased. Wuzi Yanzong prescription significantly increased the body weight,testis weight,testis index,the expression of BCL-2 protein, while decreased the levels of BAX and Caspase-3 protein expression, and then led to the reduction in apoptosis of testis. Conclusion: Wuzi Yanzong prescription can effectively protect the apoptosis of germ cell induced by CTX, and its mechanism may be associated with downregulating protein expression of BAX and Caspase-3,and increasing the protein expression of BCL-2.
