Effect of supplemented Buyang Huanwu decoction on zinc homeostasis and reproductive function through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in oligoasthenozoospermia rats
10.12007/j.issn.0258-4646.2025.06.006
- VernacularTitle:加味补阳还五汤调节TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB信号通路对少弱精子症大鼠锌稳态和生殖功能的影响
- Author:
Yueyang ZHANG
1
;
Shaoming LIU
;
Yongzheng JIAO
;
Dixin ZOU
;
Ming ZHAO
;
Haiyi GUO
Author Information
1. 中国中医科学院望京医院男科,北京 100102
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
supplemented Buyang Huanwu decoction;
oligoasthenozoospermia;
zinc steady state;
reproductive function;
TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway
- From:
Journal of China Medical University
2025;54(6):510-516
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of supplemented Buyang Huanwu decoction(BYHWD)on zinc home-ostasis and reproductive function in oligoasthenozoospermia(OAS)rats.Methods As many as 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into control,OAS,L-carnitine(0.323 g/kg),BYHWD low-dose(BYHWD-L,19.5 g/kg),BYHWD medium-dose(BYHWD-M,39 g/kg),and BYHWD high-dose(BYHWD-H,78 g/kg)groups,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the control group,all other groups were admini-stered adenine by gavage to establish an OAS model.After successful construction of the model,each group was treated by gavage with the corresponding drug doses or physiological saline once daily for 4 weeks.The general condition of the rats was recorded,testicular and epididymal coefficients were calculated,and sperm water volume and vitality were measured.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of serum testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),prolactin(PRL),as well as the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)and zinc containing enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in testicular tissue.The zinc con-tent in testicular tissue were also measured.Pathological changes in testicular tissue were observed using hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)protein expression in testicu-lar tissue were identified using immunohistochemistry.Results Compared to the control group,the OAS group exhibited significantly lower testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,serum T and E2 levels(P＜0.05)and significantly higher FSH,LH,and PRL levels(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the OAS group showed significantly lower testicular tissue zinc content and levels of zinc containing enzymes ADH,ALP,and LDH(P＜0.05)than the control group.Conversely,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,along with protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,and NF-κB were significantly higher in the OAS group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Compared to the OAS group,each drug intervention group showed improvements in testicular and epididymal coefficients,sperm motility,sperm count,T and E2 levels,testicular zinc content and zinc containing enzymes(ADH,ALP,and LDH)levels.Furthermore,the intervention groups demonstrated reduced FSH,LH,PRL,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α levels,and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway protein expression(P＜0.05).Conclusion BYHWD improves the reproductive function of OAS rats,potentially by regulating zinc homeostasis and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway,consequently reducing the inflammatory response.
