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Cizmeci S, Ongun S, Sarac A, Sel E, Tozburun S, Durmus N. Low frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied to the bulbospongiosus muscle prolongs the ejaculation latency in a rat model. Int J Impot Res 2024; 36:261-264. [PMID: 36782022 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00678-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Premature ejaculation (PE) is common, but its true pathophysiology is not clear, and treatments are limited. We aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation applied in different modes and frequencies to the bulbospongiosus muscle on ejaculation parameters. In this study, 24 male Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were equally divided into three groups: control, high-frequency burst (HFB) and low-frequency (LF) (n = 8 each). Neuromuscular electrical stimulation was applied to the rats for 30 min. In the HFB group, this stimulation was applied in the burst mode at 80 Hz frequency using 200 microseconds (µs) transition time. In the LF group, manual stimulation was applied using a 2 Hz frequency and 200 µs transition time. Following the intraperitoneal administration of para-chloroamphetamine at a dose of 5 mg/kg, ejaculation time, increase in basal seminal vesicle pressure, seminal vesicle maximum pressure, number and interval time of seminal vesicle contractions and bulbospongiosus muscle electromyography activities were evaluated over 30 min. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of ejaculation time (p = 0.002). The ejaculation times of the LF, HFB and control groups were 1344.71 ± 105.9, 908 ± 62 and 672 ± 149.7 s, respectively. The post hoc analysis revealed that the ejaculation time of the LF group was significantly longer than that of the HFB and control groups (p = 0.033 and p = 0.001, respectively). The remaining parameters did not differ significantly between the groups. The results showed that low-frequency (2 Hz) electrical stimulation applied to the male rats significantly prolonged the ejaculation time. It is thus considered that applying neuromuscular electrical stimulation before planned sexual activity can prevent the rhythmic contractions necessary for completing the ejaculatory process by maintaining subtetanic continuous contraction and prolonging the ejaculation time in patients with premature ejaculation complaints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sezer Cizmeci
- Department of Urology, Balikesir University School of Medicine, Balikesir, Turkey
| | - Sakir Ongun
- Department of Urology, Balikesir University School of Medicine, Balikesir, Turkey.
| | - Ayberk Sarac
- Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Eda Sel
- Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Serhat Tozburun
- Department of Genomic Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology, Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Nergiz Durmus
- Department of Pharmacology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Liang S, Yin Y, Zhang Z, Fang Y, Lu G, Li H, Yin Y, Shen M. Moxibustion prevents tripterygium glycoside-induced oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in rats via reduced oxidative stress and modulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:2141-2160. [PMID: 38277193 PMCID: PMC10911353 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) decreases male fertility, seriously affecting the production of offspring. This study clarified the preventive impact of different moxibustion frequencies on OAT and selected the optimal frequency to elucidate the underlying mechanism. An OAT rat model was constructed by gavage of tripterygium glycosides (TGS) suspension. Daily moxibustion (DM) or alternate-day moxibustion (ADM) was administered on the day of TGS suspension administration. Finally, we selected DM for further study based on sperm quality and DNA fragmentation index, testicular and epididymal morphology, and reproductive hormone level results. Subsequently, the oxidative stress (OS) status was evaluated by observing the OS indices levels; malondialdehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in testicular tissue using colorimetry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) were evaluated using Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was employed to locate and assess the expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein, while quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to detect their mRNA expression. MDA and 8-OHdG levels decreased following DM treatment, while T-SOD and T-AOC increased, suggesting that DM may prevent TGS-induced OAT in rats by decreasing OS in the testis. Furthermore, protein and mRNA expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the testis were elevated, indicating that DM may reduce OS by activating the signaling pathway of Nrf2/HO-1. Therefore, DM could prevent OAT in rats via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway, thereby presenting a promising therapeutic approach against OAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangjie Liang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaqun Yin
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhizi Zhang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yansu Fang
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ge Lu
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongxiao Li
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaoli Yin
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meihong Shen
- College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion and Tuina, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Medicine Research of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu, China
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Xu C, Cheng K, Wu XL, Tai HY, Chai YM, Yang ZW, Sun QH, Qiu XH, Yang XY, Li N, Tan Y, Liu SM, Chen W. Expression Profiling of L5-S2 Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn in a Rat Model of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Uncovers Potential Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Mediated Inflammation and Pain Responses. J Pain Res 2022; 15:2067-2084. [PMID: 35923840 PMCID: PMC9343019 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s364972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose We aim to explore expression profiles of genes in SCDH of CPPS model rat relevant to pain and inflammation by RNA-Seq and to investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and analgesic of EA. Methods Thirty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12): sham operation, model, and EA. The rat CPPS model was established by injecting CFA into the ventral lobes of the prostate. The rats in EA group were treated at Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and Huiyang (BL35) for a total of 20 times, with a frequency of 2/100Hz. Mechanical allodynia, H&E staining and ELISA were used to detect the changes of pain threshold and tissue inflammation; RNA-Seq technique was used for profiling gene changes in SCDH and qRT-PCR was used for further validation. Results Persistent mechanical allodynia and severe tissue inflammatory reaction both occurred in CPPS rats. After EA therapy, the pain sensitivity and inflammatory response of CPPS rats decreased significantly. RNA-Seq identified that a total of 46 DEGs were significantly up-regulated and 65 DEGs down-regulated after EA. GO enrichment showed that EA was mainly reflected in the regulation of the immune system by participating in the regulation of leukocyte, neutrophil cellular processes and cytokine metabolism. KEGG enrichment demonstrated that signal transduction and immune system were the most significant pathways. We further identified that the expressions of Pik3r2, Akt1, and Casp9 were significantly up-regulated and Jak2 and Stat3 down-regulated in the PI3K-AKT/JAK-STAT signal pathway. Conclusion Our study revealed that immune and inflammatory responses are the main biological events that induce chronic pelvic pain in rats, and EA can exert anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by regulating the expression of related genes on PI3K-AKT/JAK-STAT signal pathway in SCDH. This study provided putative novel targets of EA, which may have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of CPPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Xu
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Cheng
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ling Wu
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Heng Yap Tai
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ye-Mao Chai
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Wen Yang
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian-Hui Sun
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Hua Qiu
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xing-Yue Yang
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Na Li
- College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shao-Ming Liu
- Dongfang Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Chen
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, People’s Republic of China
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The Efficacy of Acupuncture on Patients with Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:4807271. [PMID: 35586692 PMCID: PMC9110168 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4807271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in men. The prevalence of ED has been increasing in recent years, which has critically affected male reproductive health and quality of life. According to various guidelines, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are the most commonly recommended drugs for treating ED. However, many patients turn to alternative therapies because of adverse reactions, such as headache, and the poor efficacy of these drugs. Acupuncture is a long-established treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been approved by the World Health Organization for improving penile erection as well as other discomforts in patients. However, previous systematic reviews have not discussed the characteristics and the related mechanisms of acupuncture treatment. Therefore, this study focuses on summarizing the characteristics and advantages of TCM in acupuncture treatment for ED based on relevant literature and on predicting and analyzing the related mechanisms.
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Yang LS, Zhang K, Zhou DF, Zheng SZ, Zhang J. Acupuncture for the Elsberg Syndrome Secondary to Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection: a Case Report and Brief Review. J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2022; 15:152-156. [PMID: 35770582 DOI: 10.51507/j.jams.2022.15.2.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lian-Sheng Yang
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dan-Feng Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Zhen Zheng
- Department of Acupuncture, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN YAT-SEN University, Guangzhou, China
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Protection against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity through Modulating iNOS/ARG 2 Balance by Electroacupuncture at PC6. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6628957. [PMID: 33824696 PMCID: PMC8007344 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6628957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug but is limited in clinical applications by its cardiotoxicity. Neiguan acupoint (PC6) is a well-recognized acupoint for the treatment of cardiothoracic disease. However, whether acupuncture at PC6 could be effective in preventing DOX-induced cardiotoxicity is still unknown. Methods A set of experiments were performed with myocardial cells, wild type, inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout (iNOS-/-), and myocardial-specific ablation arginase 2 (Myh6-ARG 2-/-) mice. We investigated the protective effect and the underlying mechanisms for electroacupuncture (EA) against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by echocardiography, immunostaining, biochemical analysis, and molecular biotechnology in vivo and in vitro analysis. Results We found that DOX-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production was positively correlated with the iNOS level but has a negative correlation with the arginase 2 (ARG 2) level in both myocardial cells and tissues. Meanwhile, EA at PC6 alleviated cardiac dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy in DOX-treated mice. EA at PC6 blocked the upregulation of NO production in accompanied with the downregulated iNOS and upregulated ARG 2 levels in myocardial tissue induced by DOX. Furthermore, knockout iNOS prevented cardiotoxicity and EA treatment did not cause the further improvement of cardiac function in iNOS-/- mice treated by DOX. In contrast, deficiency of myocardial ARG 2 aggravated DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and reduced EA protective effect. Conclusion These results suggest that EA treatment at PC6 can prevent DOX-induced cardiotoxicity through modulating NO production by modulating the iNOS/ARG 2 balance in myocardial cells.
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