Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium , icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium , its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
Male ; Epimedium/chemistry* ; Humans ; Genitalia, Male/drug effects* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of the Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention on quality of life, negative emotions of the patients with prostate cancer. Methods： A total of 82 prostate cancer patients who were diagnosed and treated at the General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command between September 2022 and September 2024 were included and randomly divided into study group and control group by the method of random number table, with 41 patients in each group. The patients in the study group were treated with Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention. And the routine care was used in the control group The quality of life and negative emotions were compared between the two groups by using the scales of World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF), HAMA and HAMD. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the patients in the study group exhibited significantly higher scores in the physiological, psychological, environmental, and social relationship domains of the WHOQOL-BREF scale (P<0.05). The scores of HAMA and HAMD in study group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). Additionally, all subscales of the Social Impact Scale including social exclusion, internalized shame, social isolation and economic discrimination were significantly lower than those of the study group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Focused Solution Model Nursing intervention can effectively improve the quality of life and negative emotions of the prostate cancer patients in the clinical treatment.
Humans ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Prostatic Neoplasms/nursing* ; Emotions ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence of test product and reference product in a single dose of amoxicillin clavulanate potassium tablet under fasting and fed conditions in healthy volunteers.Methods An open label,randomized,single dose,four-period,crossover bioequivalence study was designed.Fasting and postprandial tests were randomly divided into 2 administration sequence groups according to 1:1 ratio,amoxicillin clavulanate potassium tablet test product or reference product 375 mg,oral administration separately,liquid chromatography tanden mass spectrometry was applied to determine the concentration of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium in plasma of healthy subjects after fasting or fed administration,while Phoenix WinNonlin 8.2 software were used for pharmacokinetics(PK)parameters calculation and bioequivalence analysis.Results Healthy subjects took the test product and the reference product under fasting condition,the main PK parameters of amoxicillin are as follows:Cmax were(5 075.57±1 483.37)and(5 119.86±1 466.73)ng·mL-1,AUC0_twere(1.32 × 104±2 163.76)and(1.30 × 104±1 925.11)ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞were(1.32 × 104±2 175.40)and(1.31 ×104±1 935.86)ng·mL-1;the main PK parameters of clavulanic acid are as follows:Cmax were(3 298.27±1 315.23)and(3 264.06±1 492.82)ng·mL-1,AUC0-twere(7 690.06±3 053.40)and(7 538.39±3 155.89)ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞were(7 834.81±3 082.61)and(7 671.67±3 189.31)ng·mL-1;the 90％confidence intervals of Cmax,AUC0-tand AUC0-∞ after logarithmic conversion of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium of the two products were all within 80.00％-125.00％.Healthy subjects took the test and reference product under fed condition,the main PK parameters of amoxicillin are as follows:Cmax were(4 514.08±1 324.18)and(4 602.82±1 366.48)ng·mL-1,AUC0-twere(1.15 × 104±1 637.95)and(1.15 × 104±1 665.69)ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(1.16 × 104±1 646.26)and(1.15 × 104±1 607.20)ng·mL-1;the main PK parameters of clavulanic acid are as follows:Cmax were(2 654.75±1 358.29)and(2 850.51±1 526.31)ng·mL-1,AUC0-twere(5 882.82±2 930.06)and(6 161.28±3 263.20)ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(6 022.70±2 965.05)and(6 298.31±3 287.63)ng·mL-1;the 90％confidence intervals of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ after logarithmic conversion of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium of the two products were all within 80.00％-125.00％.Conclusion The two formulations were bioequivalent to healthy adult volunteers under fasting and fed conditions.

Objective To study the bioequivalence and safety of two olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in Chinese healthy subjects.Methods A total of 24 healthy subjects underwent fasting and postprandial tests in a single-center,randomized,open-label,single-dose,two-formulation,two-sequence,two-period,self-cross-over controlled design.The subjects were administered a single oral dose of the test formulation and reference formulation(each containingolmesartan medoxomil 20 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg)in a random cross-over fashion.The plasma concentrations of olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide were determined by LC-MS/MS.The non-compartmental model analysis of olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide was conducted using WinNonlin 7.0 software to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters and assess bioequivalence.Results In the fasting test,the pharmacokinetic parameters of olmesartan of test and reference were as follows:Cmax were(798.35±206.78)and(664.52±168.25)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(4 430.71±1 294.87)and(3 976.67±1 083.54)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(4 551.67±1 303.06)and(4 090.37±1 103.97)h·ng·mL-1.The pharmacokinetic parameters of hydrochlorothiazide of test and reference were as follows:Cmax were(92.39±35.96)and(96.15±38.76)ng·mL-1,AUC0_t were(548.69±217.11)and(564.41±208.68)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(603.04±228.59)and(619.26±223.27)h·ng·mL-1.In the fed test,the pharmacokinetic parameters of olmesartan of T and R were as follows:Cmax were(583.15±149.48)and(550.57±104.76)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(3 585.18±952.72)and(3 292.19±904.58)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(3 696.05±996.55)and(3 396.30±923.41)h·ng·mL-1.The pharmacokinetic parameters of hydrochlorothiazide of test and reference were as follows:Cmax were(70.30±17.88)and(74.70±21.65)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(476.60±119.39)and(492.91±144.81)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-∞ were(523.37±132.67)and(535.81±151.92)h·ng·mL-1.In fasting and fed condition,the 90％confidence interval(90％CI)of Cmax,AUC0-t and AUC0-∞ of olmesartan and hydrochlorothiazide were in 80.00％-125.00％.Conclusion The two olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide tablets were bioequivalent under fasting and fed conditions,and good security.

Further evidence is needed to explore the impact of high-altitude environments on the neurologic function of neonates.Non-invasive techniques such as cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity.This study will conduct multiple cerebral near-infrared spectroscopy and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography monitoring sessions at various time points within the first 3 days postpartum for healthy full-term neonates at different altitudes.The obtained data on cerebral oxygenation and brain electrical activity will be compared between different altitudes,and corresponding reference ranges will be established.The study involves 6 participating centers in the Chinese High Altitude Neonatal Medicine Alliance,with altitude gradients divided into 4 categories:800 m,1 900 m,2 400 m,and 3 500 m,with an anticipated sample size of 170 neonates per altitude gradient.This multicenter prospective cohort study aims to provide evidence supporting the impact of high-altitude environments on early brain function and metabolism in neonates.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(4):403-409]

Aim To investigate the effects of multi-gly-cosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW)on mitochon-drial dynamics-related proteins and the mechanism of nephroprotective effects in IgA nephrophathy(IgAN)rats.Methods SPF grade male SD rats were random-ly divided into the Control group,modelling group,prednisone group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1)and GTW group(6.25 mg·kg·d-1).The IgAN rat model was established by the method of"bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CCl4)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)".The total amount of urinary protein(24 h-UTP)and erythrocyte count in urine were meas-ured in 24 h urine.Blood biochemistry of serum albu-min(ALB),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),urea ni-trogen(BUN),and creatinine(Scr)were measured in abdominal aorta of the rats;immunofluorescence and HE staining were used to observe the histopathology of the kidneys;RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of key proteins regulating mitochondrial division and fu-sion:dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1),mitochondrial fusion protein 1(Mfn1),and mitochondrial fusion pro-tein 2(Mfn2),and PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(Pink1),in the kidney tissue of rats.Results GTW significantly reduced urinary erythrocyte count and 24 h-UTP,decreased serum ALT,BUN and Scr levels,in-creased serum ALB levels,improved renal histopatho-logical status in IgAN rats,increased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Mfn1,Mfn2,and Pink1,and decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Drp1 in renal tissues.Conclusions GTW may regu-late mitochondrial structure and maintain the dynamic balance of mitochondrial dynamics by promoting the ex-pression of Mfn1,Mfn2,Pink1 and decreasing Drp1.This may result in a reduction in urinary erythrocyte counts and proteinuria,and an improvement in renal function.

Aim To explore the mechanism of action of Tripterygium glycosides tablets on kidney of rats with IgA nephropathy based on inflammation-related path-ways.Methods Forty-five male SD rats of SPF grade were randomly divided into control group and modeling group.In addition to the blank group,the modeling group used the combination of bovine serum albumin(BSA)+carbon tetrachloride(CC14)+lipopolysac-charide(LPS)to establish the IgA nephropathy rat model.Successfully modeled rats were randomly divid-ed into the model group,the prednisone group and Tripterygium glycosides tablets group,and the treat-ment group was given the drug by gavage from the 13 th week,and the 24 hours urine,blood and kidney tis-sues of the rats were collected and examined after 4 weeks of the administration of the drug.Urine erythro-cyte count,quantitative 24-h urine protein(24 h-UTP),urea nitrogen(BUN),and blood creatinine(Scr)were detected in each group;serum interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(Elisa);the pathological changes in the renal tissues of the rats in each group were observed by horizontal hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;and the renal tis-sues in each group were observed by Western blotting.The expressions of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNAs in rat kidney tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results Tripterygium glycosides tablets significantly reduced the levels of urinary erythrocyte count,24 h-UTP,BUN,and Scr in IgA nephropathy rats(P＜0.01),improved renal histopathology,lowered the levels of se-rum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and lowered the levels of LIGHT,HVEM,LTβR proteins and their mRNA expression in renal tis-sues(P＜0.01).Conclusions Tripterygium glyco-sides tablets may inhibit the immune response and re-duce the release of inflammatory factors by down-regu-lating the LIGHT-HVEM/LT(3R pathway,thus reduc-ing the inflammatory response,lowering the urinary e-rythrocytes and urinary proteins,improving the renal nephron pathologic injury,and protecting the renal function.

Objective:To explore the expressions of zinc homeostasis-related proteins,G protein-coupled receptor 39(GPR39)and ANO1 mRNA in the sperm of patients with asthenozoospermia(AS),and analyze their correlation with sperm motility.Methods:We collected semen samples from 82 male subjects with PR+NP＜40％,PR＜32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the AS group,n=40)or PR+NP≥40％,PR≥32％and sperm concentration＞15 × 106/ml(the normal control group,n=42).We analyzed the routine semen parameters and measured the zinc content in the seminal plasma using the computer-assisted sperm analysis system,detected the expressions of zinc transporters(ZIP13,ZIP8 and ZNT10),metallothioneins(MT1G,MT1 and MTF),GPR39,and calcium-dependent chloride channel protein(ANO1)in the sperm by real-time quantitative PCR(RT qPCR),examined free zinc distribution in the sperm by laser confocal microscopy,and determined the expressions of GPR39 and MT1 proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining,followed by Spearman rank correlation analysis of their correlation with semen parameters.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the zinc concentration in the seminal plasma between the AS and normal control groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the controls,the AS patients showed a significantly reduced free zinc level(P＜0.05),relative expressions of MT1G,MTF,ZIP13,GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA(P＜0.05),and that of the GPR39 protein in the AS group(P＜0.05).No statistically significant differences were observed in the relative expression levels of ZIP8,ZNT10 and MT1 mRNA between the two groups(P＞0.05).The relative expression levels of GPR39,ANO1,MT1G and MTF mRNA were positively correlated with sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expressions of zinc homeostasis proteins(MT1G,MTF and ZIP13),GPR39 and ANO1 mRNA are downregulated in the sperm of asthenozoospermia pa-tients,and positively correlated with sperm motility.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impacts of varicocele (VC) and varicocelectomy (VCT) on the proteomics of rat testis tissue, and to analyze the differential proteins and signaling pathways, and observe the microstructural changes of the testis tissue. METHODS: We selected 60 male SD rats and divided them into a sham operation (SO), a VC model control, and a VCT group. We harvested the testis tissues from the rats at 4 weeks after modeling for determination of the differential protein expressions by mass spectrometry, analysis of the changes in the protein signaling pathways by KEGG pathway repolarization, and observation of the microstructural changes in the spermatogenic cells under the transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: A total of 15 clinically significant proteins were effectively identified, among which RPS24, KIFAP3, HPX, RPL38, TOP2A, PRPF19, TRPM3, RPL32, CNBP and AHSG were upregulated, while RPS9, TKFC, SH3BGRL3, ACAA2 and FABP3 downregulated. The differential pathways found included the Type-I 4-aminobutyrate degradation pathway, eIF2 signaling pathway, and Type-III glutamate degradation pathway, which were all related to the pathogenesis of testicular growth arrest. Compared with the rats in the VCT group, those of the VC group rats showed ultrastructural changes in the testis tissue under the TEM, such as mitochondrial vacuolar degeneration, dense nucleoli, invagination of cell nuclear membranes, and irregularity, which were detrimental to the survival of testicular cells. CONCLUSION VCT affects the development and growth of the testis by altering the expressions of relevant proteins and influencing the changes of the gene pathways in the testicular cells, which may be one of the causes of VC inducing testis injury and testicular spermatogenic dysfunction. The changes in these molecular pathways can provide some theoretical evidence for an insight VC as well as potential therapeutic targets for its treatment.
Male ; Animals ; Varicocele/pathology* ; Rats ; Testis/ultrastructure* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Proteomics ; Signal Transduction ; Proteome