1.Comparative study of one stage and bilateral uniportal-video-assisted thoracic surgery versus traditional video-assisted thoracic surgery in the treatment of myasthenia gravis
Shengling FU ; Xiaowu FAN ; Wei PING ; Xiaowei WU ; Zhipeng HAO ; Yangkai LI ; Jie WANG ; Ruijie ZHANG ; Changyu LIU ; Yixin CAI ; Ni ZHANG ; Xiangning FU
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2017;33(3):137-140
Objective To investigate the security and efficacy of one stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by uniportal-video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) to cure patients with myasthenia gravis(MG).Methods A number of 131 patients with MG who underwent resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by VATS in one single center from February 2009 to December 2013 were selected in this retrospective study.76 patients underwent unilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by three portal VATS from February 2009 to March 2012 and 55 patients underwent one stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by small uniportal-VATS from April 2012 to December 2013.The time for operation,the bleeding volume during operation,the volume of postoperative drainage and drainage time,the improvement of symptoms,the postoperative pain,hospital stays and the occurrence of myasthenia gravis crisis were compared between the two groups.Results The general condition and pathological type did not have significant statistical differences between the two groups.The operating time in the uniportal-VATS group was significantly longer than that in three portal VATS group,but the pain was lighter,and the hospital stay was shorter.There were no significant differences between groups in terms of blood loss,postoperative drainage time,and volume of drainage.The follow-up was from 32 to 90 months,and 118 (90.08%)patients completed the follow up.94.5 % of the patients in uniportalVATS group acquired complete stable remission(CSR),while it was 84.2% in three portal VATS group(P < 0.05),and the uniportal-VATS group had lower rate of myasthenic crisis (P <0.05).Conclusion One stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by small uniportal-VATS is safe and effective with shorter hospital stay and less pain,and it can get higher CSR and less myasthenic crisis,its efficacy is superior to traditional three portal VATS.
2.“Z” chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques for single-incision VATS
Ruijie ZHANG ; Zhipeng HAO ; Ni ZHANG ; Xiangning FU
Chinese Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2018;34(8):481-483
Objective To research the application of "Z" chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques for single-incision VATS.Methods 422 patients by uniportal VATS were divided into three groups:282 in experimental group("Z" Chest drainage with 16 F stomach tube),male 156,female 126,median age is 55 years old;100 in control group 1 (traditional chest drainage with 16 F stomach tube),male 58,female 42,median age is 53 years old;40 in control group 2 (traditional chest drainage with 34 F chest tube),male 24,female 16,median age is 52 years old.To compare the incidence rate of incision exudating、poor healing of incision and debridement between the 3 groups.Results The age,sex and surgical method of the three groups has no statistical significance.Incidence rate of incision exudating of experimental group,control group 1 and control group 2:5 (1.8%,5/282),5 (5.0%,5/100) and 6 (15.0%,6/40);Poor healing of incision of the three groups:0,1 (1.0%,1/100) and 3(7.5%,3/40);debridement of the three groups:0,0 and 3(7.5%,3/40).For the healing of incision,control group 1 was better than control group 2;and experimental group was better than control group 1.Conclusion "Z" chest drainage and modified incision and closure techniques decreased the incidence rate of incision exudate 、poor healing of incision and debridement,it could be useful to obtain a better cosmetic effect after single-incision VATS.
3.Effect of esmolol pretreatment on Toll like receptor-4/nuclear factor-kappa-B pathway in rats with repeated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury
Zhilu PANG ; Zhijie FU ; Xuxing PEI ; Yangyang LIAN ; Ruijie LIU ; Jiaqiang ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2018;17(11):1097-1103
Objective To investigate the effect of esmolol pretreatment on Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-кB) pathway in rats with repeated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into sham-operated group, IR group and esmolol group (n=16). Rats in the IR group and esmolol group were injected intravenously with esmolol at a dose of 200 g/(kg?min) or normal saline for one h before surgery, and then, bilateral common carotid arteries were clipped to establish the repeated IR injury models. Bilateral common carotid arteries in rats of sham-operated group were only isolated but not clipped, and injected intravenously with normovolemic normal saline for one h. Learning and memory abilities of rats were measured by Morris water maze test before, and one, 3 and 7 d after surgery. Rats were euthanized and hippocampus tissues were excised. The wet to dry (W/D) ratio of the hippocampus was tested. The permeability of blood-brain barrier was determined by Evans blue (EB) method. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in the hippocampus were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The NF-кB p65 and TLR4 mRNA expressions in the hippocampus were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The NF-кB p65 and TLR4 protein expressions in hippocampus were detected by Western blotting. Results As compared with those in the sham-operated group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged and swimming distance was signficantly longer in rats of IR group one, 3 and 7 d after surgery (P<0.05), the W/D ratio of the hippocampus and the content of EB in brain tissues were significantly increased in the IR group (P<0.05), the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in hippocampus were significantly increased in the IR group (P<0.05), and the NF-кB p65 or TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions in the hippocampus of IR group were statistically higher (P<0.05). As compared with IR group, the escape latency and swimming distance of rats in the esmolol group were significantly shortened one, 3 and 7 d after surgery (P<0.05), the W/D ratio of the hippocampus and content of EB in brain tissues of esmolol group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in the hippocampus of esmolol group were signficantly lower(P<0.05), and the NF-кB p65 or TLR4 mRNA and protein expressions in hippocampus of esmolol group were statistically lower in the esmolol group (P<0.05). Conclusion Esmolol preconditioning can alleviate cerebral injury and improve learning and memory abilities of rats with repeated cerebral IR injury, which may be involved in alleviating inflammation and suppressing TLR4/NF-кB pathway.
4.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
5.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
6.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
7.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
8.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
9.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.
10.Exploring the mechanism of regulating Bcl-2/Bax pathway by the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin to improve spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele
Yichun LIANG ; Wen WANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Ruijie FU ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Shaoying YUAN
Journal of Beijing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;47(11):1481-1489
Objective To explore the mechanism of the therapy of promoting blood circulation and nourishing yin(PBCNY)in improving spermatogenesis in rats with varicocele based on Bcl-2/Bax pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups(five rats per group):sham,model,levocarnitine(1.0 g/kg),and PBCNY low-dose(5.2 g/kg),PBCNY medium-dose(10.4 g/kg),and PBCNY high-dose(20.8 g/kg)groups.Apart from the sham group,all the groups were built a varicocele model by the classical Turner method.After 4 weeks,the sham group and model group were gavaged with normal saline,and the remaining groups were given with levocarnitine or different doses of PBCNY decoction once a day for 4 weeks.At the end of gavage,the sperm quality of rats in each group was detected by a computer-assisted sperm analyzer,and HE staining was used to observe the testicular tissue morphology of rats in each group and performed with Johnsen score.TUNEL method was used to detect apoptosis,RT-qPCR was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expression,and immunohistochemical method was used to detect cytochrome C protein expression.Results Compared to the sham group,sperm total count,motility rate and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility were lower in the model group of rats(P<0.05).HE staining showed disturbed arrangement of seminiferous tubules in the testicular tissue with significant changes and decreased Johnsen score(P<0.05).The result of TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Bax mRNA expression was increased in testicular tissue(P<0.05).The result of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of cytochrome C was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the rat sperm total count in the PBCNY medium-dose group,motility rate in the PBCNY low-and medium-dose groups,and percentage of sperm with grade(a+b)motility in the PBCNY low-dose group increased(P<0.05);the pathological structure of rat testis had different degrees of improvement,and Johnsen score increased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the apoptosis rate of testicular cells decreased in the levocarnitine group and all doses of PBCNY groups(P<0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA increased in the PBCNY low-dose and high-dose groups(P<0.05),and the expression of Bax mRNA decreased in the levocarnitine group and the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05);the positive expression of cytochrome C decreased in the PBCNY medium-dose group(P<0.05).Conclusion The therapy of PBCNY can improve sperm quality,repair damaged testicular tissue structure and improve spermatogenic function in rats with varicocele,and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of Bcl-2/Bax pathway and inhibition of cell apoptosis.