OBJECTIVETo observe the relationship between the contents of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the seminal plasma of infertile males and sperm function indexes.

METHODSBy radioimmunoassay (RIA), we determined the contents of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-10 in the seminal plasma of 126 infertile and 20 normal males. According to the sperm count, the infertile were divided into three groups: Groups A (sperm count > or = 20 x 10(6)/ml), B (sperm count < 20 x 10(6)/ml) and C (azoospermia). Based on sperm vitality and motility, Group A was subdivided into a normal and abnormal vitality group and a normal and decreased motility group. In line with the serum results of antisperm antibody (AsAb) and semen WBC, the infertile males were divided into AsAb positive and negative, and WBC semen and non-WBC semen groups. According to the assay results of normal males, Groups A and B were each subdivided into normal and decreased groups of sperm penetrating power, intact acrosome rate and terminal swelling rate.

RESULTSThe content of IL-1beta in the seminal plasma of the infertility group was obviously higher, but the content of IL-4, IL-10 significantly lower than that of the normal group (P < 0.01). In the infertility group, there existed significant differences in the contents of IL-1beta, IL-4, IL-10 in seminal plasma between the WBC and non-WBC semen groups, as well as between the AsAb positive and negative groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); and the same was true for the content of IL-4 between the normal and decreased groups of sperm vitality, motility, penetrating power, intact acrosome rate, and terminal swelling rate (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe contents of IL-1beta, IL-4 and IL-10 in seminal plasma are closely related to male reproduction. The increase or decrease of the contents reflects the state of immunity and infection of the reproductive system, and influences sperm functions.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; immunology ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1 ; analysis ; Interleukin-10 ; analysis ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Male ; Radioimmunoassay ; Semen ; chemistry ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

BACKGROUND:Cordyceps polysaccharide is a commonly used adjuvant drug for clinical treatment of nephrotic syndrome. As a classic model of nephrotic syndrome induced by adriamycin, the Sprague-Dawley rat model of nephrotic syndrome exhibits similar clinical manifestations and pathological changes to minimal-change nephropathy in humans. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cel s (ADMSCs) transplantation combined with cordyceps polysaccharide on renal function and hypercoagulable state in rats with nephrotic syndrome. METHODS:ADMSCs suspension was made in vitro and labeled using PKH26. Fifty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into normal (no intervention), model, ADMSCs, cordyceps polysaccharide and combined treatment groups (n=10/group). Adriamycin administration was performed to make rat models of nephrotic syndrome in the latter three groups. After modeling, model rats were respectively given no treatment, ADMSCs intravenously for 3 days, cordyceps polysaccharide intragastrical y for 12 weeks, or their combined use. Then, 24-hour urinary protein, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen levels and coagulation changes were detected at 12 weeks. Meanwhile, histopathological changes of renal tissues were observed under light microscope;survival and distribution of PKH26-labeled ADMSCs were observed by fluorescence microscopy;and expression of Hpa gene in renal tissue was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model group, the 24-hour urinary protein, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower, while the serum total protein, albumin and high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in the three treatment groups (P<0.05). These indicators showed significant differences between the combined group and ADMSCs and cordyceps polysaccharide groups (P<0.05). Both ADMSCs transplantation and cordyceps polysaccharide significantly relieved the hypercoagulable state of rats with nephrotic syndrome, and their combined effects were stronger (P<0.05). After treatment, the pathological improvement in the kidney tissues was found in the three treatment groups;moreover, it was better in the combined treatment group than the ADMSCs and cordyceps polysaccharide groups. Better improvement in the number of PKH26-labeled ADMSCs and the expression of Hpa mRNA was observed in the combined treatment group compared with the ADMSCs and cordyceps polysaccharide groups. In conclusion, the combination of ADMSCs transplantation and cordyceps polysaccharide can improve kidney function and hypercoagulable state in rats with nephrotic syndrome, reducing pathological damage to the kidney tissue.