Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: Huachansu injection (HCSI), a promising anti-cancer Chinese medicine injection, has been reported to have the potential for reducing the toxicity of chemotherapy and improving the quality of life for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. The objective of this study is to explore the synergistic and detoxifying effects of HCSI when used in combination with irinotecan (CPT-11). METHODS: To investigate the effect of HCSI on anti-CRC efficacy and intestinal toxicity of CPT-11, we measured changes in the biological behavior of LoVo cells in vitro, and anti-tumor effects in LoVo cell xenograft nude mice models in vivo. Meanwhile, the effect of HCSI on intestinal toxicity and the uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) expression was investigated in the CPT-11-induced colitis mouse model. Subsequently, we measured the effect of HCSI and its 13 constituent bufadienolides on the expression of UGT1A1 and organic anion transporting polypeptides 1B3 (OATP1B3) in HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The combination index (CI) results showed that the combination of HCSI and CPT-11 exhibited a synergistic effect (CI < 1), which significantly suppressing the LoVo cell migration, enhancing G2/M and S phase arrest, and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo. Additionally, the damage to intestinal tissues was attenuated by HCSI in CPT-11-induced colitis model, while the increased expression of UGT1A1 in HepG2 cells and in mouse was observed. CONCLUSION The co-therapy with HCSI alleviated the intestinal toxicity induced by CPT-11 and exerted an enhanced anti-CRC effect. The detoxifying mechanism may be related to the increased expression of UGT1A1 and OATP1B3 by HCSI and its bufadienolides components. The findings of this study may serve as a theoretical insights and strategies to improve CRC patient outcomes. Please cite this article as: Jiang B, Meng ZY, Hu YJ, Chen JJ, Zong L, Xu LY, Zhang XQ, Zhang JX, Han YL. Huachansu injection enhances anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of irinotecan and alleviates its induced intestinal toxicity through upregulating UGT1A1-OATP1B3 expression in vitro and in vivo. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):576-590.
Irinotecan/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics* ; Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Up-Regulation/drug effects* ; Male ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Hep G2 Cells ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Amphibian Venoms

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult

The lungs are the most common sites of metastases from non-pulmonarymalignancies. Endobronchial metastases are rare and have no specificity in clinical manifestations,thus being prone to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.The common tumors associated with endobronchial metastasis are renal,breast,and colorectal cancers.This article reported one case of postoperative rectal cancer with endobronchial and lung metastases,which was relieved by high-frequency electrocautery ablation via bronchoscope,chemotherapy,and targeted drugs,aiming to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans ; Rectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Electrocoagulation/methods* ; Bronchial Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Bronchoscopy ; Lung Neoplasms/secondary* ; Bronchoscopes

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Fuzheng Hejie Prescription(composed of Scutellariae Radix,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Agastachis Herba,Bupleuri Radix,Atractylodis Rhizoma,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,etc.)in the treatment of respiratory viral infections in children and to observe its effect on inflammatory factors and immune function.Methods A total of 203 children with respiratory viral infection of H1N1 virus were randomly divided into 101 cases in the observation group and 102 cases in the control group.Both groups were given the routine treatment for subsiding fever,maintaining water-electrolyte balance,and ensuring enough sleep.And additionally,the control group was given Ribavirin Granules and Ibuprofen Granules,and the observation group was given Fuzheng Hejie Prescription based on the treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered 7 days.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores and the levels of immunological indicators and inflammatory factors in the two groups were observed before and after the treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy,symptom resolution time and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups of children.Results(1)In the course of the trial,one case fell off in the observation group and 2 cases fell off in the control group,and eventually 100 children in each group were included in the trial.(2)After 7 days of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 93.00%(93/100),and that of the control group was 88.00%(88/100),and the intergroup comparison showed that the therapeutic effect of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2= 1.454,P = 0.228).(3)After treatment,the scores of primary symptoms and secondary symptoms as well as the total TCM syndrome scores in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the decrease in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)After treatment,the time for the resolution of clinical symptoms such as fever,cough,expectoration and sore throat in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group(P＜0.01).(5)After treatment,the levels of immunological indicators of T lymphocyte subset CD3+ and CD4+ in the two groups were increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of CD8+ and B cells were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the increase in the levels of CD3+ and CD4+ as well as the decrease in the levels of CD8+ and B cells of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).(6)After treatment,the levels of inflammatory factors of serum amyloid A(SAA),C-reactive protein(CRP),serum tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),soluble interleukin 2 receptor(SIL-2R),and interleukin 6(IL-6)in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05),and the levels of interleukin 2(IL-2)and interferon γ(IFN-γ)ls were all significantly increased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum SAA,CRP,TNF-α,SIL-2R,and IL-6 levels and the increase of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(7)The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group was 2.00%(2/100),which was significantly lower than that of 8.00%(8/100)in the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(χ2 = 3.789,P = 0.052).Conclusion Fuzheng Hejie Prescription exerts certain effect in treating children with respiratory viral infection of H1N1 virus,which can effectively decrease children's TCM syndrome scores,regulate the inflammatory response,improve the immune function,accelerate the relief of clinical symptoms and shorten the course of the disease.

Objective To investigate the effects of Simo decoction on duodenal microinflammation and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(Caspase-1)/gasdermin D(GSDMD)signaling pathway in rats with functional dyspepsia(FD).Methods The FD model was established by multifactorial method.SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group(FD model),positive control group(gavage administration of 0.305 mg·kg-1 mosapride injection)and experimental-H,-M,-L groups(gavage administration of 5.62,2.81,1.40 g·kg-1 Simo decoction).Small intestinal advancement rate and gastric emptying rate was determined;the levels of interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18 in serum were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the protein expression of NLRP3 and GSDMD in duodenal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results The gastric emptying rates of normal,model,positive control and experimental-H,-M,-Lgroupswere(58.34±5.72)％,(29.16±8.37)％,(48.77±6.10)％,(48.35±6.04)％,(48.20±3.49)％and(39.24±4.20)％;the small intestinal propulsion rates were(82.01±7.55)％,(41.95±9.53)％,(64.61±10.18)％,(75.04±9.76)％,(60.58±7.13)％and(45.89±7.40)％;serum IL-1 β expression were(12.86±0.88),(43.73±4.60),(18.84±0.86),(24.61±1.57),(19.14±0.77)and(29.04±0.72)pg·mL-1;IL-18 expressions were(95.00±3.74),(170.60±8.78),(108.50±3.05),(118.90±3.45),(99.90±8.70)and(141.00±3.71)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of NLRP3 proteins were 0.32±0.02,0.84±0.05,0.42±0.03,0.48±0.02,0.61±0.04 and 0.62±0.05;the relative expression levels of GSDMD proteins were 0.34±0.05,0.93±0.06,0.35±0.03,0.52±0.02,0.53±0.06 and 0.55±0.05,respectively.Compared with the normal group,the above indexes in the model group have statistical significance;compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group and the positive control group also have statistical significance(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Simo decoction can effectively improve the general condition and duodenal microinflammation in FD rats,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of duodenal NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of enalapril maleate tablet on doxorubicin-induced heart failure rats based on mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signaling pathway.Methods Eleven of the 40 male SD rats were randomly selected as the normal group(equivalent to 0.9％NaCl),and the remaining 29 were prepared with intraperitoneal injection of 3 mg·kg-1·w-1 doxorubicin to prepare heart failure model.After successful modeling,they were randomly divided into model group(n=15 cases)and experimental group(n=14 cases).Experimental group was given 1.8 mg·kg-1·d-1 enalapril maleate suspension for gavage;normal and model groups were given the same amount of 0.9％NaCl by gavage.After 8 weeks,the rats were subjected to cardiac ultrasound,the left ventricular ejection fractions(LVEF)of each group were recorded,the serum myocardial injury index level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,and the expression levels of mRNA and protein related to the MAPK signaling pathway were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results The LVEF values of control,model and experimental groups were(77.85±3.34％)％,(41.39±2.87％)％and(60.10±6.53％)％;serum brain natriuretic peptide contents were(219.30±10.59),(333.90±61.19)and(260.00±16.10)pg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of Mapk8ip2 were 1.00±0.01,2.60±0.12 and 2.00±0.08;the relative expression levels of Mapk8ip3 were 1.00±0.00,6.77±1.04 and 3.66±0.54;the relative expression levels of Mapk1 were 1.00±0.00,4.40±0.14 and 2.71±0.24;the relative expression levels of Mapk3 were 1.00±0.01,7.83±0.34 and 2.71±0.24;the relative expression levels of P38-MAPK were 1.00±0.05,1.14±0.02 and 1.02±0.03;the relative expression levels of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 protein were 1.00±0.07,1.49±0.03 and 1.16±0.10;the relative expression levels of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 protein were 1.00±0.03,1.65±0.19 and 1.14±0.01,respectively.Compared with the model group,the differences of above indexes in the normal and experimental groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Enalapril maleate tablets have therapeutic effects on rats with heart failure,and the mechanism may be achieved by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of sufentanil on myocardial cells and renal function in rat models of non-stopping coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham group(only thoracectomy without coronary artery ligation),model group(ischemia perfusion model was constructed),experimental-L group(ischemia perfusion model+0.5 μg·kg-1 sufentanil)and experimental-H group(ischemia perfusion model+1μg·kg-1 sufentanil).The mice were sacrificed 6 h after operation.The expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β)and interleukin-6(IL-6)in cardiomyocytes and renal cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expressions of apoptosis-related proteins in cardiomyocytes and renal cells were detected by Western blot.Serum renal function was detected with serum renal function kit.Results The expression levels of TNF-α in myocardial cells were(50.41±6.03),(136.61±21.73),(102.36±12.84)and(74.21±16.32)pg·mg-1 in sham group,model group,experimental-L group and experimental-H group,respectively;the expression levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3(Caspase-3)were 0.31±0.02,1.26±0.18,0.83±0.12 and 0.67±0.08,respectively;blood urea nitrogen(BUN)levels were(5.94±1.12),(20.04±5.36),(16.84±4.19)and(10.96±3.64)μmol·L-1,respectively;the expression levels of TNF-α in renal cells were(146.49±16.13),(1 023.82±34.69),(841.65±49.66)and(324.84±48.93)pg·mg-1,respectively;the expression levels of Caspase-3 in renal cells were 0.48±0.06,1.15±0.17,0.96±0.06 and 0.74±0.07,respectively.The difference between experimental-H group and sham group,model group and experimental-L group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Sufentanil can significantly reduce the production of inflammatory factors and the expression of apoptotic proteins in rat cardiomyocytes,significantly improve the renal function of rats,and significantly reduce the production of inflammatory factors and the expression of apoptotic proteins in rat renal cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B on the antioxidant stress capacity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(HUCMSCs)and to improve the clinical application efficiency of mesenchymal stem cells.Methods The 5th generation HUMSCs were used for the experiment and divided into control group,model group,and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.The control group was cultured normally;the model group was treated with 800 μmol·L-1 hydrogen peroxide(H2 O2)for 2 h;and the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were pretreated with 2,10,20 μg·mL-1salvianolic acid B for 24 h before adding 800 μmol·L-1 H2 O2 for 2 h.The levels of glutathione(GSH),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)in the cell supernatant of each group were detected using test kits;real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of apoptosis-related genes Caspase 1,and B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2).Results After treatment with 800 μmol·L-1H2 O2 for 2 h,the levels of MDA in the cell supernatants of the control group,model group,and experimental-H group were(3.27±0.41),(6.50±0.21)and(4.79±0.40)nmol·mL-1,respectively;the GSH levels were(35.43±0.72),(20.13±0.58)and(32.30±3.87)μmoL·L-1;the SOD levels were(5.34±0.18),(3.34±0.20)and(5.09±0.15)U·mL-1;the expression of Caspase 1 mRNA were 1.02±0.21,2.78±0.26 and 2.37±0.32;the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA were 1.01±0.12,0.43±0.03 and 0.60±0.17.Compared with the control group,the above indexes in the model group were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Salvianolic acid B can reduce apoptosis caused by oxidative stress and enhance the antioxidant stress capacity of HUCMSCs.

Objective To observe the effects of moxibustion on myocardial pathological morphology,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and chromosome 10 deletion phosphatase and tensin homologous protein(PTEN)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signalling pathway in rats with chronic heart failure(CHF),and to explore the possible mechanism of moxibustion in attenuating myocardial fibrosis in rats with CHF.Methods According to the random number table method,60 male SD rats were divided into the normal group(n=10)and the surgery group(n=50),and the rats in the surgery group were ligated the left coronary artery to replicate the CHF model.According to the random number table method,40 successfully modelled rats were divided into the model group,the moxibustion group,the bpV(phen)group,and the moxibustion+bpV(phen)group,with 10 rats in each group.The normal and model groups were not given any intervention;in the moxibustion group,customized moxa sticks were used to moxibrate the bilateral"Feishu"(BL13)and"Xinshu"(BL15)on the back of the rats for 30 min at each point once a day;the bpV(phen)group was injected intraperitoneally with the bpV(phen)solution(0.15 mg/kg)twice a week;the moxibustion+bpV(phen)group was based on the bpV(phen)group,and moxibustion was applied according to the moxibustion group.The intervention was carried out for 4 weeks.The general conditions of rats,such as feeding and activity were observed;HE staining was used to detect morphological changes of the cardiomyocytes;Masson staining was used to detect myocardial fibrosis;the cardiac echocardiography was used to detect ejection fraction(EF)and fractional shortening(FS);real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of PTEN and mTOR in the cardiac muscle tissues;protein expressions of PTEN,mTOR,α-SMA in rat myocardial tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group had altered cardiomyocyte morphology,severe damage to myocardial fiber structure,significantly lower EF,FS,and mTOR mRNA and protein expressions,and significantly higher PTEN,α-SMA protein expressions and PTEN mRNA expression(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,myocardial ultrastructural damage was attenuated in the moxibustion group,bpV(phen)group,and moxibustion+ bpV(phen)group,and EF,FS,and mRNA and protein expressions of mTOR were significantly higher,α-SMA protein expression was significantly lower,and mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN were significantly lower(P<0.05).Compared with the moxibustion+bpV(phen)group,myocardial ultrastructural damage was worsen in the moxibustion and bpV(phen)groups,with significantly lower EF,FS,and mRNA and protein expressions of mTOR,significantly higher α-SMA protein expression,and significantly higher mRNA and protein expressions of PTEN(P<0.05).Conclusion Moxibustion can improve the pathological morphology and function of cardiomyocytes and attenuate myocardial fibrosis in rats with CHF,and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of PTEN expression,and then the up-regulation of mTOR expression.