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Deng W, Sun D, Cai B, Jin B. Yangjing capsule improves oligoasthenozoospermia by promoting nitric oxide production through PLCγ1/AKT/eNOS pathway. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1056091. [PMID: 37180698 PMCID: PMC10169610 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1056091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Oligoasthenozoospermia is an important factor leading to male infertility. Yangjing capsule (YC), a traditional Chinese preparation, displays beneficial effects on male infertility. However, whether YC could improve oligoasthenozoospermia remains unclear. Methods: In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of YC in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated with 800 mg/kg ornidazole once daily for 30 days to induce in vivo oligoasthenozoospermia; primary Sertoli cells were treated with 400 μg/mL ornidazole for 24 h to induce in vitro oligoasthenozoospermia. Results: We found that YC improved the testicle and epididymis weight, sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility, serum testosterone, fertility rate and testis morphology in ornidazole-exposed rats and enhanced cell survival in ornidazole-stimulated primary Sertoli cells. YC also inhibited the ornidazole-caused decrease in nitric oxide (NO) generation and the phosphorylation of phospholipase C γ1 (PLCγ1), AKT, and eNOS in vivo and in vitro in oligoasthenozoospermia. Furthermore, the knockdown of PLCγ1 blunted the beneficial effects of YC in vitro. Conclusion: Collectively, our data suggested that YC protected against oligoasthenozoospermia by promoting NO levels through the PLCγ1/AKT/eNOS pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Baofang Jin
- Zhongda Hospital Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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Wu D, Wang T, Liu H, Xu F, Xie S, Tong X, Li L, Peng D, Kong L. Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan prevents oligoasthenospermia due to TAp73 suppression by affecting cellular junction remodeling in testicular tissue in mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 302:115867. [PMID: 36341818 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wuzi-Yanzong-Wan (WZYZW) is a classic Chinese herbal preparation, which has a significant clinical efficacy in tonifying the kidney and benefiting the sperm, and is widely used in the treatment of oligoasthenospermia with a long history. TAp73 inhibition results in the decrease of sperm quality, but the therapeutic mechanism of WZYZW on oligoasthenospermia caused by TAp73 gene inhibition remains elusive. AIMS OF STUDY The purpose of this study is to investigate whether TAp73 suppression leads to oligoasthenospermia and the application of WZYZW treatment in condition of TAp73 suppression. METHODOLOGY C57BL/6 male mice were injected with Pifithrin-α (2.5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 30 days to induce TAp73 suppression model, with WZYZW at 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg were administrated in parallel. The blood, testis and epididymis were collected, with organ coefficient calculated. Makler sperm counter was used to analyze the density, motility, survival and malformation rate of sperm. Apoptosis of sperm was analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum hormone levels were determined using ELISA. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe histopathological changes of testis in blood-testis barrier (BTB), ectoplasmic specialization (ES) and other cell junctions. Expressions of cell adhesion factors including TAp73, Integrin-α6, N-cadherin, Nectin-2 and Occludin were determined by RT-PCR and western blotting. RESULTS Compared to control mice, TAp73 inhibition dramatically decreased the epididymal coefficient, sperm quality, and serum testosterone (T) level, while increasing apoptosis in sperm in mice. HE staining and TEM showed that the tight junction (TJ) and apical ES structure were seriously abnormal in the testis in mice with TAp73 inhibition. Additionally, the expression of Occludin protein was elevated, while that of TAp73, Integrin-α6, N-cadherin, and Nectin-2 reduced in model mice. WZYZW treatment ameliorated testicular spermatogenic dysfunctions in TAp73 suppressed mice, restoring the decreased sperm quality, serum T level and testicular histopathological changes of TJ and ES, as well as decreasing sperm malformation rate and apoptosis. Moreover, WZYZW reversed the expressions of Occludin, TAp73, Integrin-α6, N-cadherin and Nectin-2 in TAp73 suppressed mice. CONCLUSIONS By impairing spermatogenesis and maturation, TAp73 inhibition led to oligoasthenospermia in mice. WZYZW could rescue the oligoasthenospermia associated with TAp73 inhibition via affecting the dynamic remodeling of cellular junctions in testicular tissues in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deling Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Hefei, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongsheng Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Hongjuan Liu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Fengqing Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Hefei, China
| | - Songzi Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaohui Tong
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Li Li
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Daiyin Peng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical Formula, Hefei, China.
| | - Lingyi Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Bioactive Natural Product Research and State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
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Chen Z, Dong B, Jiang Y, Peng Y, Li W, Yu L, Gao Y, Hu C. Effect of Wuzi Yanzong prescription on oligoasthenozoospermia rats based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabolomics. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2022; 60:1533-1541. [PMID: 35943740 PMCID: PMC9373773 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2101670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Wuzi Yanzong Prescription (WYP) has long been used to treat male infertility, with convincing clinical evidence. However, its mechanism of action is not clear. OBJECTIVE WYP chemical components were quantified by HPLC, and the effect on oligoasthenozoospermia rats was explored based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS metabonomics technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS The solution was extracted by alcohol and water; the content of eight components in the extracting solution was determined by HPLC. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (CG), model (MG) and administration (PG) groups. Oligoasthenozoospermia was induced for 30 days in all, but the CG with daily oral doses of 20 mg/kg Tripterysium glycosides (TG). PG was given daily oral doses of WYP solution (1.08 g/kg), CG and MG received the same volume of distilled water, all administered for 30 days. After the last administration, the serum samples were collected and detected by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. RESULTS An HPLC method for simultaneous determination of chlorogenic acid (0.081%), ellagic acid (0.021%), hyperoside (0.032%), verbascoside (0.011%), isoquercitrin (0.041%), astragalin (0.026%), kaempferol (0.009%) and schisandrin (0.014%) was established. Moreover, the 74 potential biomarkers and eight metabolic pathways related to oligoasthenozoospermia were identified by multivariate analysis and metabolite profiling. WYP can regulate 36 markers, mainly involving amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This is a simple and accurate method for quality control of WYP. It further enriches the potential mechanism of WYP in the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia. It can provide a theoretical basis for the rational application of WYP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Baohua Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunxiu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenbing Li
- Institute of Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongxiang Gao
- International Education College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Changjiang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Neo-Green Pharmaceutical Technology Development Co., Ltd, Chengdu, China
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Zhou H, Zheng X, Xia W, Ma Q, Li J, Zeng Q, Huang J. The Efficacy and Safety of the Zhuyun Formula and Auricular Acupressure for the Infertile Women with Recurrent Implantation Failure: A Randomized Controlled Trial. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:5274638. [PMID: 36267092 PMCID: PMC9578856 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5274638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Recurrent implantation failure (RIF), a clinical disorder characterized by failure to achieve pregnancy after repeated (≥3) embryo transfer, is a challenge for reproductive demands worldwide. In our preliminary work, the Zhuyun formula (ZYF) with auricular acupressure, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with a small sample size for RIF, can improve the clinical pregnancy rate (41.2% vs. 26.7%, treatment group vs. control group, p < 0.05). Based on the toxicological and pregnancy-related pharmacological analysis of ZYF for RIF, the T-cell receptor signaling pathway might be involved in the pharmacological activity. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of the CAM therapy according to pregnancy outcomes and maternal and child health and investigating the changes of T-helper (Th) cells in the peripheral blood of unexplained RIF women. Materials and Methods We conducted a prospective, two-arms, randomized, nonblinded study. All eligible women were randomly assigned to the treatment group (TG) and the control group (CG) according to a computer-generated randomization list in sealed opaque envelopes. Blood samples were collected from the two groups, and serum Th1, Th2, and Treg were detected by flow cytometry. The cytokines were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The TG was administrated with ZYF and auricular acupressure for three months before ovarian stimulation, while the control group was on a waiting list for the same period. The primary outcome was CPR. The second outcomes were the serum levels of immune parameters. For the safety evaluation, the perinatal outcomes of maternal and child were obtained by follow-up. Post-hoc sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the effect of missing data. Results One hundred and twenty-three women were randomized into the TG (n = 62) and CG (n = 61). The CPR was increased significantly in the TG (45.2%) than CG (26.2%) (p = 0.029). Twenty blood samples were collected, and the Th2/Th1 and Treg expression level was significantly higher in the TG than in the CG. IL-2, IL-10, and Foxp3 were higher significantly in the TG than in the CG. The maternal and child perinatal outcomes were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions The ZYF with auricular acupressure was effective and safe in improving the pregnancy outcomes of RIF. It might be related to balancing the level of cytokines related to the immune tolerance of the maternal-fetal interface to protect the embryo from the maternal immune system. Clinical Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry; date: 14/Dec/2013; no. NCT03078205.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610037, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, China
- Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecology Hospital, Chengdu, 610020, China
| | - Wanting Xia
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610037, China
| | - Qianhong Ma
- Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Jinmei Li
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610037, China
- Department of Gynecology, Zhumadian TCM Hospital, Zhumadian 463000, China
| | - Qian Zeng
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 610037, China
| | - Jinzhu Huang
- School of Nursing, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
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Liu H, Deng M, Zhu Y, Wu D, Tong X, Li L, Wang L, Xu F, Wang T. Establishment of an oligoasthenospermia mouse model based on TAp73 gene suppression. Animal Model Exp Med 2021; 4:351-358. [PMID: 34977486 PMCID: PMC8690982 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Oligoasthenospermia is one of the main causes of male infertility. Researchers usually use chemical drugs to directly damage germ cells to prepare oligoasthenospermia models, which disregards the adhesion and migration between spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells. TAp73 is a critical regulator of the adhesin of germ cell; thus, we sought to explore a novel oligoasthenospermia model based on TAp73 gene suppression. Methods Mice in the Pifithrin-α group were injected intraperitoneally with 2.5 mg/kg Pifithrin-α (TAp73 inhibitor) daily for 30 consecutive days. Reproductive hormone levels and epididymal sperm quality, as well as the network morphology of Sertoli cells were tested. Results Sperm density, motility, and the relative protein and mRNA expression of TAp73 and Nectin 2 were obviously decreased in the Pifithrin-α group compared with the normal control group. No significant distinction was observed in the relative mRNA and protein expression of ZO-1. Furthermore, the tight junctions (TJs) and apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) were destroyed in the Pifithrin-α group. Conclusion The above results indicate that we successfully established a new oligoasthenospermia mouse model. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of the roles of TAp73 genes during spermatogenesis and provides new research objects for further oligospermia research and future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong‐Juan Liu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Meng‐Yun Deng
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Yan‐Yan Zhu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - De‐Ling Wu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical FormulaSchool of PharmacyAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Xiao‐Hui Tong
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Li Li
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Fei Xu
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
| | - Tong‐Sheng Wang
- School of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medical FormulaSchool of PharmacyAnhui University of Chinese MedicineHefeiChina
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Dong P, Xia L, Hu L, Yang K, Wang H, Ye P. Runjing Decoction alleviated cyclophosphamide-induced oligoasthenospermia rats by inhibiting cell apoptosis via RXFP1/AKT/FOXO1 pathway. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14216. [PMID: 34396564 DOI: 10.1111/and.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Runjing Decoction (RJD) is a prescription of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of oligoasthenospermia. However, the molecular mechanism of RJD on oligoasthenospermia still remains unknown. A model of oligoasthenospermia was induced in 30 Sprague Dawley rats by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide at 35 mg/kg per day for 5 days and treated by intragastric RJD (13.5 g/kg) or L-carnitine (100 mg/kg) for 14 days. The body weight, testis and epididymis weight, grade A spermatozoa, grade B spermatozoa, the percentage of sperm forward motility (PR%), the sperm activity rate and the sperm density of rats were evaluated before and after RJD treatment. The testis apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining. The expressions of RXFP1, FoxO1, PI3K, Akt, Bax and Bcl-2 were determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. After RJD treatment, the grade A spermatozoa, sperm PR%, sperm activity and sperm density were significantly increased relative to those in model rats. Cell apoptosis of testis tissue was reversed by RJD. RJD suppressed cell apoptosis, inhibited the expression of RXFP1, FOXO1, PI3K, AKT and Bax, and promoted the expression levels of Bcl-2 in testicular tissue of oligoasthenospermia rats. RJD could alleviate sperm quality and testis damage in oligoasthenospermia rats by inhibiting RXFP1/AKT/FOXO1 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Dong
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Cixi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cixi, China
| | - Lanyawen Hu
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Yang
- First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Huanhuan Wang
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Ye
- Department of Reproductive Immunology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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