OBJECTIVETo establish a method of determining alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma by semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer.

METHODSAlpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma from 51 men with normal semen parameters in routine semen analysis were detected by semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer and manual glucose oxidase method, respectively. Then, the intra-assay and inter-assay coefficient variation (CV) and normal reference value were calculated. In the meanwhile, the correlation between the two methods was analyzed.

RESULTSThe intra-assay CVs of 2 seminal plasma samples with different alpha-glucosidase activity detected by semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer were 12.63% and 9.13%, and the inter-assay CVs were 10.67% and 13.49%, respectively. The normal reference value for seminal alpha-glucosidase activity detected with semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer ranged from 102.28 to 555.08 U/L. There was a significantly positive correlation between the semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer and the manual glucose oxidase method (r = 0.792, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe method of determining alpha-glucosidase activity in seminal plasma by semi-automatic biochemistry analyzer, with its simplicity, less cost of time and reagents, and more reliable result, could be applied to clinical laboratory medicine.

Adult ; Biochemistry ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values ; Reproducibility of Results ; Semen ; enzymology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of neutral alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma with the location of epididymal obstruction in azoospermia men.

METHODSWe detected neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in the seminal plasma of 59 men with obstructive azoospermia followed by determining the location of epididymal obstruction by scrotal exploratory surgery. Then we analyzed the correlation between neutral alpha-glucosidase and the location of epididymal obstructive azoospermia.

RESULTSAmong the total number of patients, there were 25 cases of bilateral cauda epididymal obstruction, 15 bilateral corpus, 12 bilateral caput, 4 unilateral caput-opposite cauda, and 3 unilateral corpus-opposite cauda. The neutral alpha-glucosidase levels in the seminal plasma of bilateral cauda, corpus and capus epididymal obstructions were (4.1 +/- 1.9), (13.8 +/- 4.4) and (46.8 +/- 19.3) mU per ejaculate, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNeutral alpha-glucosidase activity is significantly correlated with the location of epididymal obstruction in azoospermia men, which helps to locate epididymal obstruction, evaluate surgical prognosis and reduce the time of scrotal exploratory surgery.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Epididymis ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; enzymology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of neutral alpha-glucoside activity in the epididymis of heroin-dependent and heroin-withdrawal rats, and to investigate the effects of intervention with purine nucleotide (AMP and GMP).

METHODSEighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 8 groups of equal number, control, nucleotide, heroin, heroin + nucleotide, 3 d withdrawal, 9 d withdrawal, 3 d nucleotide (nucleotide administrated for 3 days after heroin withdrawal) and 9 d nucleotide (nucleotide administrated for 9 days after heroin withdrawal). Neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in the epididymis was detected in each group of rats.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, neutral alpha-glucoside activity was markedly decreased in the heroin group (P < 0.05), and also in the 3 d and 9 d withdrawal groups, although with no significant differences (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeroin reduces neutral alpha-glucoside activity in the epididymis of rats, and this effect may continue for some time after drug withdrawal, while purine nucleotide can keep neutral alpha-glucosidase activity in a relatively stable state.

Animals ; Epididymis ; chemistry ; Heroin ; adverse effects ; Heroin Dependence ; metabolism ; Male ; Purine Nucleotides ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo search alpha-glucosidase inhibitors from Rubia cordifolia.

METHODThe alpha-glucosidase inhibitors were isolated by the column chromatographic techniques and the bioassay-guided method in vitro. A combination of MS and NMR spectroscopy was used to identify the chemical structures. The inhibitory kinetics of the inhibitors were also investigated.

RESULTThe chloroform extract showed high inhibitory activity, and three active compounds were isolated and identified as 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone (1), 1-hydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone (2) and 1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone (3). The IC5o values of compound 1-3 were all lower than that of acarbose. Compound 1 and 2 shown competitive type manner on alpha-glucosidase, whereas compound 3 shown noncompetitive type model.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-3 as strong inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase were reported for the first time.

Binding, Competitive ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Kinetics ; Rubia ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

Steroid saponins are secondary metabolites with multiple medicinal values that are found in large quantities in natural medicines, especially Vernonia amygdalina, a famous nature medicine for the treatment of tonsillitis, diabetes, pneumonia. The current study was designed to combine molecular networking (MN) with diagnostic ions for rapid identification of Δ^7,9(11) stigmastane-type saponins which were the α-glucosidase inhibitory active substances in V. amygdalina. First, the α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of five Δ^7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponins that were previously isolated were screened, which indicated that the Δ^7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponin was one of the active constituents responsible for ameliorating diabetes. Furthermore, a strategy was proposed to identify stigmastane-type steroid saponins and verify the plausibility of derived fragmentation pathways by applying MN, MolNetEnhancer and unsupervised substructure annotation (MS2LDA). Based on this strategy, other seven Δ^7,9(11) stigmastane-type steroid saponins were identified from this plant. Our research provide scientific evidence for the antidiabetic potential of the steroid saponin-rich extract of V. amygdalina leaf.
alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism* ; Vernonia/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Saponins/chemistry* ; Steroids/chemistry* ; Diabetes Mellitus

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels and changes of sexual hormone in serum and seminal plasma, and the epidermal growth factor (EGF), alpha-glucosidase, and fructose in the seminal plasma of non-obstructive azoospermic patients, and to assess the significance of the analysis of their chromosomes.

METHODSThirty-six non-obstructive azoospermic males and 26 normal males were chosen. The results in reproductive endocrine and genetics obtained by radioimmunoassay, colorimetry, and chromosomes G and C banding assay were compared and analyzed to explore into the causes of infertility.

RESULTSThe levels of FSH, LH, PRL and E2 in the serum of the non-obstructive azoospermic patients were higher than those of the control group, but the T level had no significant difference between the two groups. There were no obvious differences in the sexual hormones except in FSH of the seminal plasma. There were 2 cases of abnormal sex chromosomes, 2 cases of big Y chromosomes and 7 cases of small Y chromosomes in the non-obstructive azoospermic patients. No correlation was found between EGF and fructose in the seminal plasma.

CONCLUSIONThe level of sexual hormone in serum, alpha-glucosidase in seminal plasma and abnormal chromosomes might be closely related to non-obstructive azoospermia.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the relationships of experimental varicocele to the apoptosis of epididymis epithelium and changes of the contents of alpha-1,4-glucosidase and sialic acid from the unilateral epididymis in adolescent rats, and to investigate the effects of varicocele on the unilateral epididymis epithelium.

METHODSExperimental left varicocele models of 16 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained by partial ligation of the left renal vein. The epididymides were collected for detecting the apoptosis of epididymis epithelium and the contents of alpha-1,4-glucosidase and sialic acid by using spectrophotometry.

RESULTSSeven days after the establishment of the left varicocele model, the index of the apoptosis of the left epididymis epithelium was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and the contents of alpha-1,4-glucosidase and sialic acid significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.005) in the experimental group than in the control.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggest that unilateral varicocele may increase the apoptosis of epididymis epithelium and the contents of alpha-1,4-glucosidase and sialic acid and subsequently affect the synthesizing and secretory function of the epididymis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Epididymis ; pathology ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Male ; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Varicocele ; metabolism ; pathology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the correlation of the level of free L-carnitine with accessory gland markers and its clinical significance.

METHODSSemen samples from 30 fertile men and 222 infertile patients were collected by masturbation. The measurement of the semen quality was carried out by computer-assisted semen analysis system. The seminal plasma components of free L-carnitine, alpha-glucosidase, fructose and acid phosphatase were determined. The results obtained were statistically calculated with an SPSS 12.0 program to evaluate the difference between the control group and the infertile one and the correlation of the free L-carnitine levels with the seminal plasma components of alpha-glucosidase, fructose and acid phosphatase.

RESULTSThe concentration of free L-carnitine (P < 0.01) and the activity of alpha-glucosidase (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced in the infertile group as compared with the control, with no significant difference in the concentration of fructose and the activity of acid phosphatase between the two groups. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between seminal plasma free L-carnitine level and alpha-glucosidase activity (r = 0.504, P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONThe determination of free L-carnitine level in seminal plasma is a useful test in the evaluation of epididymal function, which may serve as a guidance for the clinical treatment of male infertility as well as for the study on the mechanisms of male reproduction.

Acid Phosphatase ; analysis ; metabolism ; Adult ; Carnitine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Fructose ; analysis ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Semen ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder water extracts (CEW) on &alpha;-glucosidase activity (AG) and blood sugar in mice.

METHODSThe inhibition of AG by CEW was studied with enzyme-inhibitor screening external model with acarbose as control drug. The normal mice were administrated by gavage with 40.0g*kg(-1), or 10.0 g*kg(-1) of CEW, 0.375 g*kg(-1) of acarbose, and 0.3ml of normal saline, respectively in successive 5 days; then the animals were loaded with 2.0 g*kg(-1) of glucose, 4.0 g*kg(-1) of sucrose, and 2.0 g*kg(-1) of starch and blood sugar levels were measured within 15, 30, 60, and 120min. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in mice, then 40.0 g*kg(-1), or 10.0 g*kg(-1) of CEW was given to diabetic mice in successive 2 weeks and 4 weeks, then the blood sugar levels were measured.

RESULTSIn the enzyme inhibition test, when the concentration of CEW was between 0.3125 g*L(-1)-10.00 g*L(-1), the inhibition rate was 55.42%-92.73% when the concentration of acarbose was 1.5625 g*L(-1)-25.00 g*L(-1), the inhibition rate was 9.28%-64.87%. In the sugar tolerance test, the blood sugar value in starch-loaded mice decreased sharply (P<0.01), followed by sucrose-loaded group (P<0.05), and there was no change in glucose-loaded group (P>0.05). In diabetic mice CEW-40 and CEW-10 groups showed significant blood sugar lowering effect (P<0.01 or P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCEW has stronger effect in inhibition of AG activity than acarbose. CEW can increase the sugar tolerance in normal mice and decrease the blood sugar level in diabetic mice..

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Xanthium ; chemistry ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism

AIMTo study the effect of experimental left varicocele (ELV) on epididymal structure and function in adolescent Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSELV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein. Sham-operated animals served as the controls. Four and 8 weeks after the operation, the histological, ultrastructural and biochemical (alpha-glucosidase activity and carnitine content) changes in different segments of the epididymis were observed.

RESULTSIn the treated animals, there were degeneration of the epididymal epithelium and edema of the interstitial tissue; numerous shedding cells, residual bodies, deformed sperm and macrophages appeared in the epididymal lumen. Morphometric measurement indicated a significant reduction in the epididymal tubular diameter (P<0.05) and a significant increase in the epididymal interstitial area (P<0.05) compared with the controls. Ultrastructural study showed sparse microvilli of the columnar epithelium, increased and enlarged lysosomes in the principal cells with defected organelles and the presence of large cytoplasmic vacuoles. The protein and carnitine contents and the alpha-glucosidase activity in the caput, corpus and cauda epididymis of the ELV rats were lower than those of the controls (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were structural and functional changes in the epididymis of adolescent ELV rats, which may contribute to the infertility caused by varicocele.

Animals ; Carnitine ; metabolism ; Epididymis ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Varicocele ; enzymology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; alpha-Glucosidases ; metabolism