Shenling Baizhusan Improves Spermatogenesis in Hyperuricemia Oligoasthenospermia Mice by Regulating Nrf2/ARE Pathway
10.13422/j.cnki.syfjx.20230537
- VernacularTitle:参苓白术散调节Nrf2/ARE通路改善高尿酸血症型少弱精子症小鼠的生精功能
- Author:
Xiaocui JIANG
1
;
Daizhi TIAN
1
;
Qi LIU
2
;
Xingyu JIANG
3
;
He YU
3
;
Wenyao YU
3
;
Min XIAO
1
;
Jigang CAO
3
Author Information
1. Laboratory Animal Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
2. Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430061, China
3. College of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Shenling Baizhusan;
oligoasthenospermia;
hyperuricemia;
treating different diseases with same method;
nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE)
- From:
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae
2023;29(15):22-30
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of Shenling Baizhusan on the treatment of oligoasthenospermia with hyperuricemia (HUA). MethodThirty-two male Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into blank group (n=6), model group (n=6), high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group (n=7), low-dose Shenling Baizhusan group (n=7), and febuxostat group (n=6). Except for the blank group, all other groups received intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazinate suspension (600 mg·kg-1) for 7 days. After modeling, the high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group and the low-dose Shenling Baizhusan group were orally administered with 20.14 g·kg-1 and 10.07 g·kg-1 of Shenling Baizhusan, respectively. The Febuxostat group was orally administered with 0.25 g·kg-1 of Febuxostat, while the blank group and model group were orally administered with the same volume of physiological saline. Oral administration was performed once a day for 14 consecutive days, after which samples were collected. Biochemical methods were used to measure serum uric acid (UA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in testicular tissue and evaluate the spermatogenesis function. Automated sperm analyzer was used to measure sperm density and motility. Single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was used to assess sperm DNA integrity. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect testicular cell apoptosis rate. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the protein expression levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and Caspase-3 in testicular tissue. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 in testicular tissue. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed elevated serum UA level (P<0.01), decreased testicular spermatogenesis function, sperm density, and motility (P<0.01), and increased sperm trailing rate and testicular cell apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the high-dose Shenling Baizhusan group showed significant improvements in the above-mentioned indicators (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, the expression levels of Keap1, Bax, and Caspase-3 in testicular tissue were reduced, while the expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and Bcl-2 increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA level of Keap1 decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShenling Baizhusan can significantly improve HUA oligoasthenospermia, and its mechanism may be related to the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway.