Aim To investigate the protective effects of ginsenosides ( GS) on reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative damage in mouse spermatogonial cells. Meth-ods Mouse spermatogonial cell oxidative stress model was established and the attenuating effects of ginsen-osides on germ cell oxidative damage were evaluated by determination of cell viability,malondialdehyde( MDA) formation,superoxide dismutase ( SOD) activity and glutathione ( GSH) level. Results The exposure to hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase ( HX/XO) induced an elevation in MDA,while a decrease in germ cell viability,SOD activity and GSH level. However,supplementation with GS ( 10 mg?L -1) restored HX/XO-induced decrease in cell viability,SOD activity and GSH level and HX/XO-induced increase in MDA formation. Conclusion GS may exert antioxidant activity to attenuate reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative damage in mouse spermatogonial cells.

Objective To investigate the proportion of follicular fluid CD56~+ natural killer (NK) cells to the total lymphocytes and the ac-tivated CD56~+ NK cells to the total CD56~+ NK cells. To provide an evidence for improving the clinical pregnancy rate in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment by regulating the function of NK cells. Methods Triple color flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid. The IVF treatment outcome was closely followed up. The relationship be-tween the proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells and the IVF treatment outcome was analyzed statistically. Results The proportion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56* NK cells in mature follicular fluid of women who got pregnancy by IVF treatment was (15.57±3.10)% and (2.63±0.94)% respectively,while the proportion of the women who didn't get pregnancy was (19.12±5.37)% and (4.06±2.08)% respectively,which was significantly higher than the pregnant group(P< 0.05). Conclusion The women with lower propor-tion of CD56~+ NK cells and activated CD56~+ NK cells in mature follicular fluid of is easier to get pregnancy by IVF. An altered NK cells pro-file in follicular fluid could therefore influence fertility in IVF treatment outcome.

Objective To explore the relationship between Y chromosomal microdeletions and chromosome karyotype,clinical phenotypes and sex hormone levels in patients with spermatogenic failure.Methods SRY gene,ZFY gene and 6 sequence-tagged-sites in AZFa,AZFb and AZFc were detected with multiplex polymerase chain reaction in 42 non-obstructive azoospermic and 39 severe oligozoospermic men.Results Ten cases (12.35%) of microdeletions were found in 81 non-obstructive azoospermic (6 cases) or severe oligozoospermic patients (4 cases).Among the 10 patients with Y chromosomal microdeletions, 1 had deletion of AZFa+AZFb+AZFc,2 AZFb+AZFc, 1 AZFb and 6 AZFc.Conclusion Microdeletions in the long arm of Y chromosome were associated with spermatogenic failure.Screening for Y chromosomal microdeletions in azoospermic or severe oligozoospermic patients should be of necessity and significance.

Objective To explore the efficacy of multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for aged patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Methods 25 aged patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated by multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores were evaluated,clinical results were graded from excellent to poor using Odoms criteria,and the sagittal alignment of fusion segements were measured using Cobb method. Bone fusion and complications was evaluated. Results The final follow up score according to Odoms criteria was excellent in 8 patients ,good in 14 patients,and fair in 3 patients ,with excellent and good rate of 88%. The JOA score at final follow up(7.8) was significantly higher than preoperative(12. 8),with average improvement rate of 54%. At final follow up,bone fusion rate was 100%. Conclusion Multilevel anterior discectomy and fusion for aged patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy was effective.

Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Live Birth ; Calcium ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Oocyte Retrieval

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of shikonin on neuroinflammation in sepsis- associated encephalopathy （SAE） rats by regulating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase （cGAS）-stimulator of interferon gene （STING） signaling pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly separated into SAE group， shikonin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups （1.33， 2.66， 5.32 mg/kg）， high dose of shikonin+Roc A group （5.32 mg/kg shikonin+0.67 mg/kg cGAS-STING signaling pathway activator Roc A）， and control group， with 12 rats in each group. Except for the control group， SAE models were constructed in all other groups. After successful modeling， administration began once a day for 14 days. After administration， the Y-maze experiment and open-field experiment were applied to evaluate the learning and memory ability and anxiety state of rats， respectively. The pathological changes of neurons in the dentate gyrus （DG） of the hippocampus were observed. The number of CD86 and CD206 positive cells， the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， IL-4 and IL-10， and the protein expressions of cGAS and STING were detected in the brain tissue of the hippocampus DG region. RESULTS Compared with the SAE group， the neuronal damage of rats in shikonin low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups were improved； the percentage of activity distance in the “new arm”， the duration of stay in the central area， walking distance， the number of intact neurons and CD206 positive cells in the brain tissue of the hippocampal DG area， and the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 increased/rised/prolonged significantly （P＜0.05）； the number of CD86 positive cells in the brain tissue of the hippocampal DG region， the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α， and protein expressions of cGAS and STING were significantly reduced/decreased/down-regulated （P＜0.05）， and the effect of shikonin was dose-dependent （P＜0.05）. Roc A could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high-dose shikonin on neuroinflammation in SAE rats （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Shikonin can improve neuroinflammation in SAE rats by inhibiting cGAS-STING signaling pathway.

Humans ; Consensus ; Blastocyst ; Embryonic Development ; Fertilization in Vitro

Gypenosides, structurally analogous to ginsenosides and derived from a sustainable source, are recognized as the principal active compounds found in Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. By bioactive tracking isolation of the plants collected from different regions across China, we obtained four new gypenosides (1-4), together with nine known gypenosides (5-13), from the methanol extract of the plant. The structures of new gypenosides were elucidated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, complemented by chemical degradation experiments. Through comprehensive evaluation involving COL1A1 promoter assays and PP2Cα activity assays, we established a definitive structure-activity relationship for these dammarane-type triterpenoids, affirming the indispensability of the C-3 saccharide chain and C-17 lactone ring in effectively impeding extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition within hepatic stellate cells. Further in vivo study on the CCl₄-induced liver damage mouse model corroborated that compound 5 significantly ameliorated the process of hepatic fibrosis by oral administration. These results underscore the potential of dammarane-type triterpenoids as prospective anti-fibrotic leads and highlight their prevalence as key molecular frameworks in the therapeutic intervention of chronic hepatic disorders.
Animals ; Mice ; Gynostemma ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Ginsenosides ; Extracellular Matrix ; Dammaranes