Transcriptomic and proteomic features of a mouse model of sperm DNA damage induced by benzo(a)pyrene.

This study replicated a mouse model of sperm DNA damage induced by benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), and the transcriptomic and proteomic features of the model were examined to clarify the pathways related to BaP-induced damage to sperm DNA. Male mice in the BaP group were subjected to BaP at a dosage of 100mg/kg/d or an equivalent quantity of saline solution in the control group for 60 days. Subsequently, the DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in sperm was assessed using a sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). RNA-seq and data-independent acquisition (DIA) were used to identify the mRNA and protein expression patterns in the testis. The sperm DFI significantly increased in the BaP group. Compared to the control group, the BaP group exhibited differential expression of 240 genes (referred to as DEGs) and 616 proteins (referred to as DEPs). These molecules included Aldh1a1, Cyb5r3, Fads1, Oxsm, Rcn3, and Prss45. Pathways in cancer, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, and the MAPK signaling pathway were the primary areas where these genes showed enrichment. BaP can damage the DNA of sperm and affect metabolism, the PI3K-Akt pathway, and pathways associated with cancer signaling.

Observation of the efficacy of elongated needle therapy in treating patients with â ¢B prostatitis of stagnant dampness-heat syndrome. / 芒针治疗湿热瘀阻证⠢Båž‹å‰åˆ—è ºç‚Žæ‚£è€ çš„ç–—æ•ˆè§‚å¯Ÿ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy in patients with ⅢB prostatitis of stagnant dampness-heat syndrome treated with elongated needle therapy. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with ⅢB prostatitis of stagnant dampness-heat syndrome were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group(45 cases, 2 dropped out) and a control group(45 cases, 1 dropped out) using a random number table method. The control group was treated with oral administration of Qianlie Shutong Capsule, 3 capsules per dose, 3 times a day for a total of 4 weeks. The treatment group received elongated needle therapy at Qihai(CV6), Zhongji(CV3), bilateral Zhibian(BL54) and Shuidao(ST28), with one treatment per day for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index(NIH-CPSI) score were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was compared after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with that before treatment, the control group showed significant decrease in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, testicular pain, urinary frequency, unending remnants of urine, scrotal wetness, yellowish urine, urinary symptoms, and quality of life scores after treatment(P<0.05)；the treatment group showed significant decrease in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, and perineal pain, groin pain, pelvic pain, testicular pain, scrotal wetness, yellowish urine scores, NIH-CPSI total score, pain symptoms, urinary symptoms, and quality of life scores after treatment(P<0.05). After treatment, the treatment group showed significantly lower traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, and perineal pain, groin pain, pelvic pain, testicular pain scores, NIH-CPSI total score, pain symptoms, and quality of life scores than those of the control group(P<0.05). The effective rate in the treatment group (63.64%, 28/43) was significantly higher than that in the control group (88.37%, 38/44, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elongated needle therapy can significantly improve the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, NIH-CPSI total score, and pain symptom scores in patients with ⅢB prostatitis of stagnant dampness-heat syndrome. It can significantly improve the cure rate in these patients and is particularly effective in relieving pain.

Heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with Xiangwu powder for erectile dysfunction with kidney deficiency and blood stasis: a randomized controlled trial. / çƒ­æ•ç¸è”åˆé¦™èœˆæ•£æ²»ç–—è‚¾è™šè¡€ç˜€åž‹å‹ƒèµ·åŠŸèƒ½éšœç¢ï¼šéšæœºå¯¹ç §è¯•éªŒ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy of heat-sensitive moxibustion combined with Xiangwu powder in treating erectile dysfunction with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with erectile dysfunction of kidney deficiency and blood stasis were randomly divided into a comprehensive group (40 cases, 1 case dropped out) and a Chinese herb group (40 cases, 2 cases dropped out). In the Chinese herb group, Xiangwu powder was applied orally, one dose per day. On the basis of the Chinese herb group, heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied after detecting the heat-sensitive points in the areas of Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Qihai (CV 6) and bilateral Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in the comprehensive group, once a day, 5 times a week. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF-5) score, erectile hardness score (EHS), nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) indexes (nocturnal penile erection frequency, total duration of penile erection, duration of penile head hardness ≥60%, duration of penile root hardness ≥60%, percentage change in penile head circumference, percentage change in penile root circumference), TCM syndrome score, and penile vascular function indexes (peak systolic velocity [PSV], end diastolic velocity [EDV], and resistance index [RI] of penile cavernosal artery) were compared in the patients of the two groups before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the IIEF-5 scores, EHS, PSV, RI, and NPTR indexes were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the TCM syndrome scores and EDV were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups.The IIEF-5 score, EHS, PSV, RI, and NPTR indexes in the comprehensive group were ascended compared with those in the Chinese herb group (P<0.01), while the TCM syndrome score and EDV in the comprehensive group were lower than those in the traditional Chinese herb group (P<0.01). The total effective rate of the comprehensive group was 94.9% (37/39), which was higher than 78.9% (30/38, P<0.05) of the Chinese herb group. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of heat-sensitive moxibustion and Xiangwu powder can effectively treat erectile dysfunction of kidney deficiency and blood stasis, improve patients' erectile function, enhance their erection hardness, and improve their penile vascular function and clinical symptoms.

[Dumai moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil for erectile dysfunction: Evaluation of therapeutic effect].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of dumai (governor meridian) moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil in the treatment of ED with decline of vital gate fire. METHODS: We enrolled in this study 130 ED patients with decline of vital gate fire who met the inclusion criteria and equally randomized them into a control and an experimental group, the former treated with low-dose tadalafil tablets at 5 mg once a day while the latter by dumai moxibustion once a week in addition, all for 4 weeks. Of the total number of subjects, 62 in the control group and 63 in the experimental group completed the experiment. We recorded the scores on IIEF-5, Erection Quality Scale (EQS), Erection Hardness Scale (EHS), TCM symptoms and Treatment Satisfaction Scale (TSS) as well as the penile hemodynamic parameters peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and resistance index (RI) before and after treatment and compared them between the two groups. RESULTS: The total response rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control (87.30% vs 66.13%, P < 0.05). IIEF-5, EQS, EHS and TSS scores, PSV and RI were markedly increased while TCM symptoms and EDV remarkably decreased in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the experimental than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dumai moxibustion combined with low-dose tadalafil can improve erectile function, increase penile blood flow velocity and alleviate clinical symptoms in ED patients with decline of vital gate fire, with definite clinical effect and safety.

Repair mechanism of Yishen Tongluo formula on mouse sperm DNA fragmentation caused by polystyrene microplastics.

CONTEXT: Plastics can break down into millions of microplastic (MPs, < 5 mm) particles in the soil and ocean. These MPs can then affect the function of the reproductive system. There is currently no effective solution to this problem aside from traditional Chinese medicine. We have previously used Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTL) to treat sperm DNA damage caused by some toxic substances. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism underlying the repair of mouse sperm DNA fragmentation caused by polystyrene microplastics by YSTL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An animal model of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MP)-induced sperm DNA damage was replicated by gavage of SPF ICR (CD1) mice PS-MPs at 1 mg/d and treated with YSTL at 11.89, 23.78 and 47.56 g/kg, respectively, for 60 days. The Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) of each group was detected and compared. The target genes of YSTL identified by transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were validated by qRT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: The DFI of the PS group (20.66%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (4.23%). The medium and high doses of the YSTL group (12.8% and 11.31%) exhibited a significant repairing effect. The most enriched pathway was PI3K/Akt. TBL1X, SPARC, hnRNP0, Map7D1, Eps8 and Mrpl27 were screened and SPARC was validated. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The precise mechanism by which YSTL inhibits PD-MPs DNA damage may be associated with the PI3K/Akt pathway and SPARC. It provides a new direction for using traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and repair reproductive system injury caused by MPs.

[Governor vessel moxibustion combined with wenyang yiqi qiwei decoction for erectile dysfunction with spleen-kidney deficiency and its effect on testosterone and vascular endothelial function].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of governor vessel moxibustion combined with wenyang yiqi qiwei decoction on erectile dysfunction (ED) with spleen-kidney deficiency and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: A total of 130 ED patients with spleen-kidney deficiency were randomized into an observation group (65 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (65 cases, 3 cases dropped off). The control group was given wenyang yiqi qiwei decoction orally, one dose daily. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, governor vessel moxibustion was applied from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) in the observation group, 110 min a time, once a day. The treatment of 4 weeks was required in both groups. Before and after treatment, 5-question international index of erectile function (IIEF-5) score, erection quality scale (EQS) score, erectile hardness assessment (EHS) score, TCM syndrome score, serum testosterone (T) level and vascular endothelial function indexes (prostaglandin I2 [PGI2], endothelin-1 [ET-1] and nitric oxide [NO] levels) were observed respectively, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of IIEF-5, EQS, EHS and serum levels of T, PGI2, NO were increased compared before treatment (P<0.01), the TCM syndrome scores and serum ET-1 levels were decreased compared before treatment (P<0.01) in the two groups; the scores of IIEF-5, EQS, EHS and serum levels of T, PGI2, NO in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), the TCM syndrome score and serum ET-1 level were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The total effective rate was 88.9% (56/63) in the observation group, which was superior to 74.2% (46/62) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Governor vessel moxibustion combined with wenyang yiqi qiwei decoction can improve the erectile function and increase the erection hardness and quality in ED patients with spleen-kidney deficiency, its mechanism may relate to improving serum T level and vascular endothelial function.

[To evaluate the efficacy of Yishen Tongluo decoction combined with low-dose tadalafil in the treatment of diabetic erectile dysfunction with kidney deficiency and blood stasis syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of the combined treatment of Yishen Tongluo formula and low-dose tadalafil in diabetic erectile dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction were randomly divided into two groups. The control group given tadalafil treatment, observation group in the control group given Yishen Tongluo Formula on the basis of treatment. The treatment period was 8 weeks. Erectile function were observed before and after treatment in the two groups patients-5 international questionnaire (IIEF - 5) score, erection quality scale (EQS) score, erectile hardness (EHS) score, TCM syndrome integral, content of serum homocysteine (HCY), endothelial function index ï¼»serum levels of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2)ï¼½ and endothelin (ET) content, a The changes of nitrogen oxide (NO), glucose and lipid metabolism indexes ï¼»triglyceride (TC), total cholesterol (TG)ï¼½ and oxidative stress related factors ï¼»total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)ï¼½ were evaluated, and the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated. RESULTS: In terms of overall efficacy rate, the observation group (79.4%) outperformed that of the control (48.7%, P< 0.01).After treatment, the IIEF-5 score, EQS score, EHS score, and serum levels of PGI2, NO, T-AOC and GSH-Px were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (P< 0.05). The TCM syndrome score and serum HCY, ET-1, TC and TG were lower than those before treatment (P< 0.05), and the comparison group's consequence was comparatively worse than the group under observation (P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Yishen Tongluo Formula can dramatically enhance the erectile dysfunction andimprovement of glucose-lipid metabolism when adopted in together with low-dose tadalafil.

[The causal relationship between gut microbiota and male reproductive and sexual health].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use the MR method to explore the causal relationship between 211 gut microbiota and male reproductive and sexual health. METHODS: The MiBioGen alliance published genome-wide association study (GWAS) related genetic variation data was used as instrumental variables (IVs) for gut microbiota, and the Finngen biobank GWAS related genetic variation data was used as IVs for male infertility, abnormal sperm, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, and testicular dysfunction. The inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method was used as the MR analysis method, the results were evaluated according to the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of the effect measures, and data sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: The results showed that 6 types of gut microbiota were related to male infertility, 12 types were related to abnormal sperm, 5 types were related to sexual dysfunction, 4 types were related to erectile dysfunction, and 4 types were related to testicular dysfunction. And there was no abnormality in the data sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: The intestinal microbiota is closely related to male reproductive and sexual health.

Transcriptomics and proteomics analysis to explore the mechanism of Yishen Tongluo formula repairing sperm DNA damage in rats.

The sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) is an objective indicator of male fertility. Currently, effective treatments for high sperm DFI are limited and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has certain advantages in this aspect. Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTL), a TCM formula, has been found to reduce DFI in patients. To better understand the mechanisms underlying its activity, we used transcriptomics and proteomics to analyse the potential target gene YSTL repairing tripterygium glycosides (TGs)-mediated sperm DNA damage in rats, followed by validation analyses using RT-qPCR and western blotting, which showed that relative to the control group, DFI was markedly elevated in the TGs group, but markedly lower in the YSTL group relative to the TGs group. KEGG pathway analysis of 119 differentially expressed genes and 158 DEPs identified using trend analysis revealed that they were enriched for apoptosis and base excision repair at the transcriptomic level and for microRNAs in cancer and complement and coagulation cascades at the proteomic level. Ttr and Pnpla2 were identified as potential target genes for YSTL. Our data show that YSTL can protect rat sperm DNA from TGs-induced damage, which may be related to apoptosis, DNA repair and other pathways, and the possible target genes are Ttr and Pnpla2.

Transcriptome and genome sequencing investigating the molecular characteristics of patients with varicocele infertility.

The prevalence of varicoceles in male infertility is increasing; however, the exact mechanism is unknown, and no direct studies of varicose spermatic veins have been conducted. Three patients with varicocele infertility were included to explore the possible factors that cause varicocele infertility, and varicose and nearby normal veins were harvested by varicocelectomy. RNA sequencing was performed on six vascular samples, followed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of the screened differential expressed genes which were validated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The genomes of the patients were analysed using next-generation sequencing to screen for genetic factors behind varicocele infertility. 1171 genes were upregulated and 2772 were downregulated in varicose spermatic veins compared with those in normal veins. These genes were significantly enriched in the alcohol consumption pathway. HIST1H4C, HIST1H4F, HIST1H4K, TM9SF1, and TMEFF1 were significantly differentially expressed. The genomic results identified patients with mutations in CFTR, NANOS1, SRCAP, GATA4, GCM2, TUBB1, ALDH7A1, ANTXR1, and MAP3K1. In conclusion, our results indicated that Alcohol consumption may be a cause of varicoceles. Mutations in certain genes, such as CFTR, may be a cause of male infertility due to varicoceles.

Methylation status of TK1 correlated with immune infiltrates in prostate cancer.

TK1 is overexpressed in numerous cancers and is associated with to a poor prognosis. However, the relationship between methylation status of TK1 and Immune Infiltrates in Prostate Cancer (PCa) is unknown. The goal of this study was to use comprehensive bioinformatic analyses to elucidate the involvement relationship between methylation status of TK1 and Immune Infiltrates in PCa. TK1 mRNA expression and methylation data in PCa were investigated via GEPIA, TIMER, and UALCAN coupled with MEXPRESS data resources. We employed the LinkedOmics data resource to determine the signaling cascades linked to TK1 expression. Single-cell analysis was performed using the CancerSEA data resource. GeneMANIA and CancerSEA were used to analyze the correlation between TK1 and TK1 coexpressed genes. In addition, TIMER and TISIDB were adopted to assess tumor-invading immune cells and immunomodulators. CTD was utilized to detect the drugs acting on TK1. This study found that TK1 was overexpressed in PCa, and its contents were linked to tumor stage and prognosis. Genes co-expressed with TK1 were enriched in cascades involved in the ribosome, cell cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, DNA replication, oocyte meiosis, and the proteasome. The expression of TK1 along with its methylation status was found to be linked to tumor-invading immune cells, as well as PCa immunomodulators. We also examined the prospect of employing TK1 as a possible target for PCa therapy. This work provides the clinical value of TK1 hypermethylation in PCa and highlights new insights into its novel immunomodulatory functions.

Microplastics May Be a Significant Cause of Male Infertility.

Due to the problematic degradation properties of plastics, the decomposition of plastic results in the formation of numerous microplastics (MPs), less than 5 mm in diameter. These MPs enter the soil and the ocean, eventually passing through the air, water, or food chain back to the human body and harming human health. In the last 80 years, male semen analysis parameters have shown a significant decline for unknown reasons, speculated to be caused by pollutants. No studies examined the relationship between human MP exposure and male infertility. In this article, we reviewed the relevant animal experimental research literature in recent years and calculated that the minimum human equivalent dose of MPs leading to abnormal male semen quality is 0.016 mg/kg/d. The literature comparison found that MP exposure in Japan and South Korea was close to this value. These results suggest that MPs can affect male semen quality and that MPs may significantly impact male fertility.

[Effects of Yishen Tongluo Prescription on the PI3K-Akt-MTOR pathway and the protein and mRNA expressions of CatSper-1 and HSPA2 in the testis tissue of oligoasthenospermia rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Yishen Tongluo Prescription (YTP) on the testis tissue of the male rats with oligoasthenospermia (OAS) and its action mechanism based on the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway. METHODS: We randomly divided 48 SPF male SD rats into 8 groups: normal control, OAS model control, L-carnitine (LC), high-dose YTP, low-dose YTP, Omipalisib inhibitor (OI), OI + high-dose YTP, and OI + low-dose YTP, with 6 rats in each group. We established a model of OAS in the latter 7 groups by intragastric administration of tripterygium wilfordii polyside, followed by intervention with corresponding drugs. After treatment, we obtained semen parameters from the rats, observed pathological changes in the testis tissue by HE staining, and determined the expressions of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway-related proteins and mRNA by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Sperm concentration and total sperm motility were significantly improved in the LC and YTP groups compared with those in the OAS model control group (P < 0.001). HE staining showed irregularly arranged spermatogenic cells and narrowed lumina and widened gaps of seminiferous tubules in the OAS model controls, as well as similar pathological changes in the LC, YTP and OI + YTP groups. Significant up-regulation was observed in the protein expressions of p-Akt, CatSper-1 and HSPA2 in the LC group (P < 0.05), those of p-Akt, mTOR, catsper-1 and HSP2 in the low-dose YTP group (P < 0.05) and that of PI3K in the high-dose YTP group (P < 0.05) compared with those in the model controls. There were no statistically significant differences in the expressions of PI3K, mTOR and catsper-1 between the OI and model control groups (P > 0.05), nor in those of PI3K, p-Akt, mTOR, CatSper-1 and HSPA2 between the OI + YTP and the former two groups (P > 0.05). The mRNA expressions of PI3K, mTOR, CatSper-1 and HSPA2 were remarkably higher in the LC and YTP groups than in the model control (P< 0.05), with those of catsper-1 and PI3K even more significantly up-regulated in the high-dose than in the low-dose YTP group (P< 0.001; P< 0.05). Statistically significant differences were not observed in the mRNA expressions of PI3K, mTOR, CatSper-1 and HSPA2 between the model control and OI groups (P > 0.05), nor in those of PI3K, mTOR, catsper-1 and HSPA2 between the model control and OI + YTP groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Yishen Tongluo Prescription can improve sperm quality and pathological changes of the testis tissue in rats with Tripterygium glycoside-induced OAS, which might be attributed to its ability of up-regulating the expressions of the PI3K Akt mTOR pathway-related proteins and mRNA in the testis tissue.

[Clinical and mechanism research on functional erectile dysfunction treated with moxibustion and qiangshen shugan qiwei decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect on functional erectile dysfunction (FED) of kidney deficiency and liver stagnation treated by Baixiao moxibustion and qiangshen shugan qiwei decoction. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with FED were randomized into an observation group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off) and a control group (60 cases, 4 cases dropped off). In the control group, the patients were treated with oral qiangshen shugan qiwei decoction (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rhizoma Curculiginis, Herba Epimedii, etc.), one dose daily. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, Baixiao moxibustion was exerted along the distribution of governor vessel on the back, 30 min each time, once a week. The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the scores of international index of erectile function-5 (IIEF5), erectile hardness scale (EHS), erectile dysfunction inventory of treatment satisfaction (EDITS) and TCM symptoms were observed in the patients of the two groups. Before and after treatment, the levels of serum sex hormones (testosterone [T], luteinizing hormone [LH], estradiol [E2], prolactin [PRL]) and the expressions of relevant proteins (matrix metalloproteinase-3 [MMP-3], matrix metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9] and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were determined in the patients of the two groups separately. The penile vascular function (peak systolic velocity [PSV], end-diastolic velocity [EDV], resistance index [RI]) was compared before and after treatment. Besides, the clinical therapeutic effect was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of IIEF5, EHS and EDITS were all increased as compared with the values before treatment (P<0.05), and the scores of TCM symptoms were reduced as compared with the values before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of IIEF5, EHS and EDITS in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the score of TCM symptoms was lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of T and LH in serum of the two groups and the expressions of serum MMP-3 and MMP-9 in the observation group were all increased as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the levels of E2 and PRL in the observation group and VEGF expressions in the two groups were all reduced as compared with those before treatment (P<0.05). The levels of serum T and LH and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in the observation groups were all higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the levels of E2 and PRL and VEGF expression were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, PSV was increased and EDV was reduced as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (P<0.05), RI in the observation group was reduced as compared with that before treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, PSV in the observation group was higher and EDV and RI were lower than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 87.9% (51/58) in the observation group, higher than 76.8% (43/56) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined therapy of Baixiao moxibustion and qiangshen shugan qiwei decoction effectively increases erectile function, erectile hardness and treatment satisfaction in the patients with functional erectile dysfunction of kidney deficiency and liver stagnation, as well as improves penile vascular function. The effect mechanism of this therapy may be related to the regulation of serum sex hormones and relevant proteins.

A network pharmacology approach to determine the underlying mechanisms of action of Yishen Tongluo formula for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia.

Oligoasthenozoospermia is a complex disease caused by a variety of factors, and its incidence is increasing yearly worldwide. Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTLF), created by Professor Sun Zixue, has been used to treat oligoasthenozoospermia in clinical practice for several decades with a good therapeutic effect. However, the chemical and pharmacological profiles of YSTLF remain unclear and need to be elucidated. In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment. All of the compounds in YSTLF were retrieved from the corresponding databases, and the bioactive ingredients were screened according to their oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). The potential proteins of YSTLF were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) database, while the potential genes of oligoasthenozoospermia were obtained from the GeneCards database and the DisGeNET database. The STRING database was used to construct an interaction network according to the common targets identified by the online tool Venny for YSTLF and oligoasthenozoospermia. The topological characteristics of nodes were visualized and analyzed through Cytoscape. Biological functions and significant pathways were determined and analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Metascape. Finally, the disease-formula-compound-target-pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape. A total of 106 bioactive ingredients and 134 potential targets from YSTLF were associated with oligoasthenozoospermia or considered to be therapeutically relevant. Pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt, MAPK and apoptosis signaling pathways were significant pathways involved in oligoasthenozoospermia. In conclusion, the current study expounded the pharmacological actions and molecular mechanisms of YSTLF in treating oligoasthenozoospermia from a holistic viewpoint. The potential molecular mechanisms were closely related to antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis and anti-inflammation, with TNF, CCND1, ESR1, NFKBIA, NR3C1, MAPK8, and IL6 being possible targets. This network pharmacology prediction may offer a helpful tool to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of the Chinese herbal compound YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment.

[Psychological nursing for genital herpes patients receiving acyclovir plus thymosin and its effect on the incidence of adverse reactions].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of psychological nursing in patients with genital herpes receiving acyclovir combined with thymosin and its effect on the incidence of adverse reactions. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with genital herpes treated with acyclovir plus thymosin in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were randomly allocated to receive conventional nursing (the control group, n = 80) and psychological nursing (the trial group, n = 80). Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression of the patients, and comparisons were made between the two groups of patients in their SAS and SDS scores, the incidence of adverse reactions and their satisfaction with nursing intervention. RESULTS: After nursing intervention, the patients of the trial group, compared with the controls, showed significantly lower SAS scores (39.05 ± 2.97 vs 45.71 ± 3.36, P < 0.01), SDS scores (41.74 ± 2.86 vs 47.28 ± 3.95, P < 0.01), and incidence of adverse reactions (22.50% vs 47.50%, P < 0.05), but a markedly higher rate of satisfaction with nursing intervention (95.00% vs 77.5%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Psychological nursing can reduce the incidence of adverse reactions in genital herpes patients receiving acyclovir combined with thymosin and meanwhile improve the mental status of the patients by alleviating their anxiety and depression.

[Clinical efficacy of magnetic resonance electromagnetic therapy combined with Qianlie Beixi Capsules in the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of the magnetic resonance electromagnetic therapy (MREM) combined with Qianlie Beixi Capsules (QBC) in the treatment of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). METHODS: Using a prospective, two-center, randomized, open, positive drug-loading, parallel-controlled clinical design, we randomly divided 124 patients with CP/CPPS into a control and an observation group of equal number, the former treated with QBC and the latter with QBC combined with MREM for a course of 14 days. Then, we compared the NIH-CPSI scores before and after treatment, the total effectiveness rate and safety between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the patients in both the observation and control groups showed significantly improved total and specific item scores on NIH-CPSI (P < 0.05), and those of the observation group achieved even more significant improvement than the controls either in the total NIH-CPSI score (16.65 ± 7.90 vs 21.95 ± 5.70, P < 0.05) or in the pain symptom score (7.34 ± 3.26 vs 9.50 ± 2.47, P < 0.05), urination symptom score (3.53 ± 2.56 vs 4.50 ± 2.35, P < 0.05) and quality of life score (5.94 ± 2.89 vs 8.03 ± 2.60, P < 0.05). The total effectiveness rate was remarkably higher in the observation than in the control group (83.87% vs 53.23%, P < 0.05). No adverse events or reactions were observed in either group of the patients during the trial. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance electromagnetic therapy combined with Qianlie Beixi Capsules can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms of CP/CPPS patients with high effectiveness and safety.

[Yishen Tongluo Recipe combined with minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of varicocele-associated asthenospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Yishen Tongluo Recipe (YTR) combined with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the treatment of varicocele-associated asthenospermia (of the kidney-deficiency and collateral-obstruction type). METHODS: We randomly divided 116 patients with varicocele-associated asthenospermia and up to the inclusion criteria into three groups and treated them by YTR combined with MIS (low spermatic vein ligation at the external inguinal ring orifice under the microscope) (the YTR+MIS group, n = 39), YTR alone (the YTR group, n = 38), or MIS alone (the MIS group, n = 39). At 12 weeks after treatment, we compared the total effectiveness rate, the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS), sperm straight line velocity (VSL), sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and symptoms among the three groups of patients. RESULTS: After treatment, the total effectiveness rate was significantly higher in the YTR+MIS than in the YTR and the MIS group (89.74% vs 63.16% and 64.10%, P < 0.05), and so were the percentage of PMS (31.67 ± 3.93 vs 24.48 ± 3.15 and 25.57 ± 3.37, P < 0.05) and VSL (ï¼»30.19 ± 5.32ï¼½ vs ï¼»27.19 ± 5.48ï¼½ and ï¼»27.55 ± 5.24ï¼½ µm/s, P < 0.05), but the DFI was remarkably lower in the former than in the latter two groups (11.25 ± 8.27 vs 15.87 ± 5.45 and 15.26 ± 4.36, P < 0.05). The symptoms were improved more significantly in the YTR+MIS than in the YTR and MIS groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yishen Tongluo Recipe combined with minimally invasive surgery, as an effective and safe strategy, can significantly improve sperm quality and sperm DNA integrity in patients with varicocele-associated asthenospermia.

Yishentongluo decoction in treatment of idiopathic asthenozoospermia infertility: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The reproductive dilemma faced by men has always been the focus of the whole society. Idiopathic asthenozoospermia (AZS), as one of the common causes of male infertility, lack of specific treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine has shown potential benefits in the management of male infertility. Yishentongluo decoction (YSTL) is a representative Chinese herbal formula; however, there is still no rigorous clinical trial supporting its application. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of YSTL for patients with idiopathic AZS and explain the possible action mechanisms of YSTL in improving sperm motility. METHODS: In this randomized controlled study, a total of 160 eligible patients will be assigned to YSTL group or the Levocarnitine oral solution group in a 1:1 ratio. The treatment period will be 12 weeks and the follow-up period will last 4 weeks. The primary outcome will be the the progressive (motility), sperm rate (%). Secondary outcomes will include the progressive (motility) + non-progressive (motility) sperm rate(%), total effective sperm count, inner mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in spermatozoa, and spouse pregnancy rate (%). Safety outcomes will cover electrocardiogram , blood tests (including blood routine test, hepatic function, and renal function), urine routine test, and stool routine test. The semen parameters, sperm MMP test, and all the safety outcomes will be performed at the baseline, 4th, 8th and 12th week. The pregnancy outcome will be evaluated at 4 weeks after treatment. DISCUSSION: This study will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of YSTL in the treatment of idiopathic AZS with kidney deficiency and blood stasis pattern. In addition, potential mechanisms of YSTL in improving sperm motility will be explored based on sperm MMP test. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trials Register identifier, ChiCTR2000033290, registered on 26 May 2020.

Characteristics of Chinese Medicine Education Under British Education System in New Zealand.

With the globalisation of Chinese medicine (CM), the local CM education institutions were established in many other countries outside of China. These CM education institutions have formed a new mode in CM education after integrating with local culture, law and national conditions. This article takes New Zealand CM education institutions as an example to discuss the characteristics of CM education under the British education system, aiming to provide ideas on CM education in China and other countries.