1
|
Chang Y, Deng H, He Y, Zhou B, Yuan D, Wu J, Zhang C, Zhao H. Wuzi Yanzong administration alleviates Sertoli cell injury by recovering AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy and the mTORC1-mTROC2 balance in aging-induced testicular dysfunction. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 318:116865. [PMID: 37422101 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116865] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Wuzi Yanzong Prescription (WZ), a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula, has the properties of kidney nourishing and essence strengthening, and it is widely used to treat male infertility with a long history. Sertoli cells are injured with aging, resulting in testicular dysfunction, and WZ effectively rejuvenates the age-related decline of testicular function. However, whether the therapeutic effects of WZ on aging-related testicular dysfunction are dependent on the restoration of Sertoli cell function remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY In a mouse model of natural aging, we explored the protective effects of WZ and its potential mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen-month-old C57BL/6 mice were randomized to receive either standard diet or WZ (2 and 8 g/kg) for 3 months. Meanwhile, 10 1-month-old mice were considered the adult control group and received standard diet for 3 months. The testis and epididymis were rapidly collected, and the sperm quality, testicular histology, Sertoli cell numbers, tight junction (TJ) ultrastructure, and blood-testis barrier-associated protein expression and localization were assessed. RESULTS WZ significantly increased sperm concentration and sperm viability, improved the degenerative histomorphology and elevated the seminiferous epithelium height. Furthermore, WZ increased the number of Sertoli cells, restored the ultrastructure of the Sertoli cell TJ, and upregulated the expression of TJ-associated proteins (zonula occludens-1 and Claudin11), ectoplasm specialized-associated proteins (N-Cadherin, E-Cadherin and β-Catenin), and gap junction-associated protein (connexin 43), but did not affect the expression of Occludin and cytoskeletal protein (Vimentin). In addition, WZ did not change the localization of zonula occludens-1 and β-Catenin in aged testis. Moreover, WZ increased the expression of autophagy-associated proteins (light chain 3 beta and autophagy related 5) and decreased the expression of p62, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin, and phosphorylated AKT in Sertoli cells. Finally, we found that WZ attenuated mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) activity and upregulated mTORC2 activity, as evidenced by inhibition of the expression of the regulatory-associated protein of mTOR, phosphorylated p70 S6K, and phosphorylated ribosomal protein s6 and enhancement of the expression of Rictor in the Sertoli cells of aging mice. CONCLUSIONS WZ improves the injury of Sertoli cells by restoring AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy and the mTORC1-mTROC2 balance in Sertoli cells during aging. Our findings provide a new mechanism of WZ in the treatment of aging-induced testicular dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Chang
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - He Deng
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - Yumin He
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - Benwen Zhou
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - Ding Yuan
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Analysis and Testing Center, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China
| | - Changcheng Zhang
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China.
| | - Haixia Zhao
- Third-grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Traditional Chinese Medicine, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China; College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei, 443002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li L, Wang M, Chen J, Chen J, Wang Y, Zhao M, Song Q, Xu S. Therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine on heat stroke. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1228943. [PMID: 37818183 PMCID: PMC10561393 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1228943] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As global warming progresses, heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent and intense, meanwhile the incidence of heat stroke (HS) has increased sharply during the past decades. HS is typically associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and there is an urgent need for further research to solve this difficult issue. There currently exists difficulties regarding on-site emergency treatment methods and limited in-hospital treatment approaches, and better treatments are required as soon as possible. Theories and therapies from various traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) academic groups have been widely reported. Therefore, an exploration of prevention and protection methods should consider TCM experiences as an alternative. This article primarily reviews TCM herbal therapies and external therapies that have been described in various clinical reports and demonstrated in relevant studies. Herbal therapies, including herbal formulas, Chinese patent medicines (CPMs), single Chinese herbs, and associated extracts or monomers, are summarized based on the shared perspectives of the underlying mechanisms from TCM. In addition, external therapies including acupuncture, bloodletting, cupping, Gua sha and Tui na that have rarely been rarely mentioned and considered in most cases, are introduced and discussed to offer a unique perspective in the search for novel interventions for HS. In summary, TCM may provide abundant potential clinical benefits and research directions in the fight against HS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Emergency, The Second Naval Hospital of Southern Theater Command of PLA, Sanya, China
- Heatstroke Treatment and Research Center of PLA, Sanya, China
| | - Man Wang
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jikuai Chen
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juelin Chen
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yawei Wang
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minghao Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Song
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
- Heatstroke Treatment and Research Center of PLA, Sanya, China
| | - Shuogui Xu
- Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Shen Y, You Y, Zhu K, Li G, Huang X, Chen D, Yang F, Dong L, Li J, Yu X. The traditional Chinese medicine Qiangjing tablet prevents blood-testis barrier injury induced by CdCl 2 through the PI3K/Akt/Rictor signaling pathway. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2023; 38:591-603. [PMID: 36370150 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Environmental contaminants such as cadmium (Cd) may have a deleterious impact on sperm and reduce male fertility by compromising the blood-testis barrier (BTB). Hence, the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Qiangjing tablet (QJP) on sperm quality and BTB alterations induced by Cd in mouse testes were examined. METHODS Adult KM mice challenged with Cd chloride were examined, QJP was administered to mice as an oral drug by gavage, and the experiments lasted 2 weeks. Testicular and epididymal weights, sperm quality, anti-sperm antibodies (AsAb), hormone levels, and histology were evaluated. Changes in the levels of N-cadherin, occludin, ZO-1, claudin-11, F-actin, and β-tubulin and their mRNAs were evaluated. The effects of QJP on the PI3K/Akt/Rictor pathway were evaluated. RESULTS CdCl2 decreased reproductive organ weight, sperm quality, and testosterone (T) levels; increased AsAb, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels; induced structural damage in testicles with BTB disruption; increased BTB permeability; and decreased N-cadherin, occludin, ZO-1, claudin-11, F-actin, and β-tubulin expression. After treatment, QJP blocked the effects of Cd on reproductive organ weight, sperm quality, and T; mitigated germinal epithelium compartment alterations; decreased AsAb, FSH, and LH levels; and preserved BTB ultrastructure and function. In addition, QJP induced increases in N-cadherin, occludin, ZO-1, claudin-11, F-actin, and β-tubulin levels and the expression of their mRNAs through the PI3K/Akt/Rictor pathway. After the application of JRAB2011, the levels of a specific mTORC2 suppressor, Rictor, and the BTB-protective effect of QJP were greatly reduced. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated the effect of QJP against Cd-induced damage to the BTB, and the results indicate that QJP may play a significant role in opposing the effects of Cd through the PI3K/Akt/Rictor pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yifeng Shen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaodong You
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kun Zhu
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Guangsen Li
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaopeng Huang
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Diang Chen
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Dong
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Junjun Li
- Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital/The Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xujun Yu
- Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital/The Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cai Z, Zhang Y, Yang L, Ma C, Fei Y, Ding J, Song W, Tong WM, Niu Y, Li H. ALKBH5 in mouse testicular Sertoli cells regulates Cdh2 mRNA translation to maintain blood-testis barrier integrity. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:101. [PMID: 36418936 PMCID: PMC9682758 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in mammalian spermatogenesis. In both germ cells and Leydig cells, ALKBH5 regulates spermatogenesis and androgen synthesis in an m6A-dependent manner. However, it is unclear whether ALKBH5 plays a role in testicular Sertoli cells, which constitute the blood-testis barrier (BTB) through cell junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells. METHODS ALKBH5 expression in the testes of humans and mice was detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. BTB integrity was evaluated by BTB assay. m6A-seq was performed to screen for BTB-related molecules regulated by ALKBH5. m6A immunoprecipitation-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR, western blot, coimmunoprecipitation, and polysome fractionation-qPCR analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms of ALKBH5 in BTB. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the BTB ultrastructure. RESULTS ALKBH5 in Sertoli cells is related to the integrity of the BTB. Subsequently, the m6A level on Cdh2 mRNA, encoding a structural protein N-cadherin in the BTB, was found to be regulated by ALKBH5. IGF2BP1/2/3 complexes and YTHDF1 promoted Cdh2 mRNA translation. In addition, we found that basal endoplasmic specialization, in which N-cadherin is a main structural protein, was severely disordered in the testes of Alkbh5-knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that ALKBH5 regulates BTB integrity via basal endoplasmic specialization by affecting Cdh2 mRNA translation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Cai
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Yang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunhui Ma
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Fei
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ding
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Song
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Min Tong
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yamei Niu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|