1.Insomnia and quality of life as chain mediators between negative life events and depression severity in adolescents with depressive disorders
Xu ZHANG ; Lewei LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Feng GENG ; Daming MO ; Changhao CHEN ; Zhiwei LIU ; Xiangwang WEN ; Xiangfen LUO ; Huanzhong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):163-168
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in adolescent patients with depressive disorder, as well as the chain mediating role of insomnia symptoms and quality of life. Methods374 outpatient patients and hospitalized patients with adolescent depressive disorders were enrolled. The Adolescent Life Event Scale (ASLEC), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to evaluate the negative life event situation, insomnia symptoms, quality of life level and depression severity of the subjects, respectively. In addition, the PROCESS 4.0 macroprogram was used to analyze the chain mediating effect of insomnia symptoms and quality of life between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorder. ResultsThe results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between negative life events and insomnia symptoms, quality of life, and depression severity (all P<0.05). In addition, the results of chain mediation showed that negative life events had a significant direct effect on depression severity, with an effect size of 0.12 (P<0.001). Insomnia symptoms and quality of life played a mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorders, with indirect effect sizes of 0.062 (95%CI: 0.040-0.087) and 0.091 (95%CI: 0.059-0.123), respectively. It could also play a chain mediation role, and the effect size was 0.039 (95%CI: 0.024-0.057). ConclusionNegative life events experienced by patients with adolescent depressive disorder not only directly affect the severity of depressive symptoms, but may also indirectly exacerbate depression through insomnia symptoms and quality of life.
2.Compact Fundus Imaging System Using Shack-Hartmann Wavefront Sensing for High-speed Auto-focus
Zhe-Kai LIN ; Long CHEN ; Geng-Yong ZHENG ; Jin-Tian HUANG ; Jia-Xin DONG ; Shang-Pan YANG ; Wen-Zheng DING ; Ding-An HAN ; Xue-Hua WANG ; Ya-Guang ZENG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(4):1076-1086
ObjectiveThe widespread adoption of portable fundus cameras for primary care and community screening is hindered by limitations in current autofocus(AF) technologies. Image-based methods relying on sharpness evaluation require iterative searches, resulting in slow convergence, while projection-based techniques are susceptible to optical artifacts and calibration errors. To address these challenges, this study introduces a novel AF system based on direct wavefront sensing, designed to deliver simultaneous high speed, high precision, and operational robustness within the compact form factor essential for portable ophthalmic devices. MethodsOur approach fundamentally reimagines the AF process by directly measuring the ocular wavefront aberration. We developed a custom portable fundus camera integrating a miniaturized Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS) into the optical path. An 850 nm laser diode projects a point source onto the retina via oblique illumination to minimize corneal reflections. Light scattered from this spot carries the eye’s refractive error through the imaging optics and is directed to the SHWS, positioned at a plane optically conjugate to the primary color CMOS imaging sensor. A microlens array within the SHWS samples the incident wavefront, generating a pattern of focal spots on a CCD. Real-time centroid analysis of these spots provides a map of local wavefront slopes. These measurements are processed through a singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithm to fit a Zernike polynomial basis set, enabling real-time reconstruction of the wavefront phase. The defocus component (S) is extracted from the second-order Zernike coefficients, providing a direct, quantitative measure of the refractive error in diopters. This value serves as a precise error signal in a closed-loop control system, which commands a voice-coil actuated focusing lens to its null position in a single, deterministic step, eliminating the need for iterative search algorithms. ResultsComprehensive evaluation demonstrated the system’s high performance. Testing on a calibrated model eye (OEMI-7) established a highly linear relationship between the computed defocus S and the focusing lens position across a ±20 Diopter (D) compensation range, achievable within a 5 mm mechanical travel. The system achieved a focusing precision of 0.08 D, corresponding to an 18-fold improvement over a conventional projection spot-size method tested under identical conditions. The total focus acquisition time, encompassing wavefront measurement, computation, and lens actuation, averaged under 0.5 s. Clinical validation with 25 human volunteers (50 eyes, refractive range -15 D to +10 D) confirmed practical efficacy. The wavefront-sensing AF succeeded in 92% of attempts with a mean time of 0.5 s, substantially outperforming a projection-based benchmark which achieved only a 32% success rate with an average time of 4.25 s. The system provided instantaneous directional guidance and maintained stability during minor ocular movements. Objective assessment of image quality, via amplitude contrast of retinal vasculature, showed consistent and significant enhancement following AF correction across the entire tested diopter range. ConclusionThis work successfully implements and validates a direct wavefront-sensing autofocus paradigm for portable fundus cameras. By directly quantifying and compensating for the optical defocus aberration, this method bypasses the fundamental limitations of image-processing and projection-based techniques, enabling rapid, precise, and deterministic diopter compensation. The developed system delivers an exceptional combination of a wide operational range (±20 D), high accuracy (0.08 D), fast convergence (0.5 s), and a compact physical footprint. This technology provides a practical and high-performance focusing solution capable of enhancing the reliability, throughput, and diagnostic utility of portable retinal imaging in large-scale screening applications. Future efforts will be directed towards system cost optimization and performance adaptation for diverse ocular conditions.
3.PRMT5 promotes angiogenesis in colorectal cancer via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway
Wen ZHANG ; Yongyong GENG ; Xijiang TU ; Qianhui YAO ; Wenlong GUO ; Bogang YAO ; Xuling SUN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(5):803-811
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) on the angiogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) through the Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway. MethodsThe expression and prognostic value of PRMT5 in CRC tissues were analyzed based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) and gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases. A total of 105 pairs of cancer tissues and matched adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected from CRC patients, and PRMT5 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC); Western blot was used to detect the PRMT5 protein level in normal colonic epithelial cells (FHC) and CRC cell lines (including RKO, SW480). SW48 and LoVo cells were divided into negative control (NC) group and PRMT5 knockdown interference group. After the stable knockdown cell models were successfully constructed, the effects of conditioned medium on the proliferation, cell cycle, migration and tube formation abilities of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were detected; the correlation between PRMT5 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and cytoplasm-nucleus separation assay were performed to verify the regulatory pathway. ResultsPRMT5 was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines, which was significantly correlated with poor prognosis and pathological characteristics of patients (all P<0.05); PRMT5 knockdown could significantly inhibit the angiogenesis-related abilities of HUVECs (all P<0.05) and down-regulate the expression of VEGFA (all P<0.01). GSEA results indicated that PRMT5 expression was significantly associated with the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway (all P<0.001). PRMT5 knockdown could inhibit the activation of JAK2/STAT3, the nuclear translocation of STAT3 and the protein level of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) in the nucleus, thus inhibiting the expression of VEGFA. ConclusionPRMT5 is highly expressed in CRC tissues and indicates poor prognosis of patients. It promotes the nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of STAT3 by activating the JAK2/STAT3 pathway and drives the expression of VEGFA to promote tumor angiogenesis.
4.Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia
Wen GENG ; Huatao XIE ; Jiasong WANG ; Mingchang ZHANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(5):743-748
Ocular surface squamous neoplasia(OSSN)is a series of pathological solid tumors formed by dysplasia of keratoconjunctival epithelium, which is one of the most common ocular surface tumors in adults. In the past two decades, the treatment of OSSN has gradually changed from surgical resection to topical chemotherapy. Interferons, 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin are the most commonly used topical agents for the clinical treatment of this disease. This paper summarizes the diagnosis of OSSN and various local chemotherapy treatment options, highlights the potential role of high-resolution optical coherence tomography(HR-OCT)technology in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
5.Construction of a postoperative mortality risk model for patients with acute aortic dissection based on XGBoost-SHAP method
Xin ZHANG ; Min FANG ; Yi CAO ; Ting-Ting LI ; Xian-Kong LIU ; Jia-Yi DANG ; Xue-Sen ZHAO ; Hong-Qin REN ; Jia-Ze GENG ; Kai-Wen WANG ; Tie-Sheng HAN ; Yong-Bo ZHAO ; Dong MA
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(10):1226-1234
Objective To develop a predictive model for postoperative mortality risk in patients with acute aortic dissection(AAD)using the Extreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost)algorithm combined with Shapley Additive Explanation(SHAP),and to establish a prediction website to serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic support platform for clinicians and patients.Methods A retrospective cohort study design was adopted.Data from 782 AAD patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to December 2023 were collected,including basic information and initial serum biomarker test results.Patients were randomly divided into training and test sets at a 7:3 ratio.An external validation set consisting of 313 AAD patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023 was also established for further model validation.Variables were screened using LASSO regression,and an XGBoost machine learning model was constructed and interpreted using SHAP.The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Using the Shiny package,the XGBoost model was deployed to shinyapps.io to create a prediction website for postoperative mortality risk in AAD patients.One patient was selected by simple random sampling from the test set and the external validation set respectively for the prediction example on the Shiny webpage.Results The XGBoost model demonstrated high predictive performance for postoperative mortality in AAD patients,with area under the ROC curve(AUC)values of 0.928(95%CI 0.901-0.956)in the training set,0.919(95%CI 0.891-0.949)in the test set,and 0.941(95%CI 0.915-0.967)in the external validation set.SHAP values indicated the following order of variable importance in the model(from highest to lowest):"lactate dehydrogenase""blood chlorine""multiple organ injury""carbon dioxide combining power""prothrombin time""α-hydroxybutyric acid""creatine kinase isoenzyme""Stanford classification""combined use of bedside blood purification""gender""acute kidney injury""gastrointestinal bleeding""brain injury"and"shock".A risk prediction website for adverse postoperative outcomes in AAD patients was developed using XGBoost-SHAP method(https://dun-dunxiaolu.shinyapps.io/document/)and validated with examples.One randomly selected patient from each of the test and external validation sets was applied:the predicted mortality risk value for patient 1(who died postoperatively)was 0.9539,and that for patient 2(who survived postoperatively)was 0.0206.Conclusions The XGBoost-SHAP model demonstrates high accuracy in predicting postoperative mortality risk for AAD patients.The online prediction tool established based on this model enhances the identification efficiency of high-risk postoperative mortality patients.
6.Effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on preoperative anxiety and sleep disorders in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy
Mingyue GENG ; Wen XIANG ; Ying ZHENG ; Shu WANG ; Yu'e SUN ; Qin YIN ; Wei CHENG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(15):72-78
Objective To investigate the effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimula-tion(taVNS)on preoperative anxiety and sleep quality in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomecto-my.Methods A total of 106 patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic myomectomy were randomly divided into active stimulation group(a-taVNS group,n=53)and sham stimulation group(s-taVNS group,n=53).Trait Anxiety Inventory(TAI)scores,State Anxiety Inventory(SAI)scores,Hos-pital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety(HADS-A)scores,Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale-anxiety(APAISa)scores,Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS)scores,hemodynamic parameters,and adverse reactions were evaluated before intervention(T0),30 min after interven-tion(T1),and the next morning(T2).The degrees of anxiety improvement(△SAI=SAIT0-SAIT1;△HADS-A=HADS-AT0-HADS-AT1;△APAISa=APAISaT0-APAISaT1)and sleep improvement(△AIS=AIST0-AIST2)were calculated,and their correlations were assessed.Results At T0,there were no significant differences in SAI,HADS-A,and APAISa scores between the two groups(P=0.376,0.682,0.144).At T1,there were significant differences in SAI and HADS-A scores between the two groups(adjusted P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in APAISa scores(P=0.141).Compared with the s-taVNS group,the a-taVNS group had higher improvement values of △SAI,△HADS-A,and △APAISa(P<0.001).Compared with T0,the AIS score de-creased and the incidence of sleep disorders decreased at T2 in the a-taVNS group(P<0.05).Compared with the s-taVNS group,the AIS score and the proportion of patients with sleep disorders decreased at T2 in the a-taVNS group(P<0.05).There was a positive correlation between the de-gree of anxiety improvement and the degree of sleep improvement in the a-taVNS group(P<0.05),while there was no significant correlation in the s-taVNS group(P>0.05).Compared with T0,sys-tolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,and heart rate decreased at T1 in both groups,but there were no significant differences in these parameters between the two groups(P>0.05).During the study period,no adverse events such as tinnitus,dizziness,headache,nausea,vomiting,or fa-cial flushing occurred in either group.Conclusion The method taVNS can improve preoperative anxiety and reduce the incidence of sleep disorders in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy.
7.Mechanism study on circASAP1 promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by targeting miR-4500
Yuehua GENG ; Lijun TANG ; Lusheng WEN ; Qiuyan LIN ; Jialun XU ; Limin YANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(19):58-64
Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of circular RNA ASAP1(circASAP1)targeting microRNA-4500(miR-4500)on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.Methods Human osteosarcoma cells(Saos-2)were selected as the experimental subjects and cul-tured in DMEM medium containing 10%fetal bovine serum while maintaining 5%CO2.The expres-sions of circASAP1 and miR-4500 in osteosarcoma tissues were detected using RT-qPCR.Saos-2 cells were transfected with si-NC(40 nmol/L),si-circASAP1(40 nmol/L),pcDNA(0.4 μg),pcDNA-circASAP1(0.4 μg),miR-NC(40 nmol/L),miR-4500 mimics(40 nmol/L),si-circASAP1+anti-miR-NC(40 nmol/L),and si-circASAP1+anti-miR-4500(40 nmol/L),respectively.Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using CCK-8,colony formation assays,and flow cytometry.The interaction between circASAP1 and miR-4500 was analyzed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay.Results Compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues,the expression of circASAP1 was significantly upregulated,while that of miR-4500 was significantly downregulated in osteosarcoma tissues(P<0.001).Compared with the si-NC group,the si-circASAP1 group exhibited significantly decreased circASAP1 expression,optical density(OD)values,and the number of cell colonies(P<0.001).Compared with the si-NC group,the si-circASAP1 group showed significantly upregulated levels of cleaved-caspase3 protein,cleaved-caspase9 protein,and the apoptosis rate(P<0.001).StarBase search revealed specific binding sequences between miR-4500 and circASAP1.Co-transfection of miR-4500 mimics and WT-circASAP1 significantly reduced the relative luciferase activity of the cells[(0.34±0.03)versus(0.95±0.06),t=27.280,P<0.001].The expression of miR-4500 in the pcDNA-circASAP1 group was significantly lower than that in the pcDNA group,whereas the ex-pression of miR-4500 in the si-circASAP1 group was significantly higher than that in the si-NC group(P<0.001).Compared with the miR-NC group,the miR-4500 group exhibited significantly in-creased miR-4500 expression,cleaved-caspase3 protein levels,cleaved-caspase9 protein levels,and the apoptosis rate,while the OD values and the number of colonies significantly decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the si-circASAP1+anti-miR-NC group,the si-circASAP1+anti-miR-4500 group showed significantly decreased miR-4500 expression,cleaved-caspase3 protein levels,cleaved-caspase9 protein levels,and the apoptosis rate,while the OD values and the number of col-onies significantly increased(P<0.001).Conclusion The expression of circASAP1 is increased,while that of miR-4500 is decreased in osteosarcoma tissues.Moreover,circASAP1 promotes the proliferation and inhibits the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by targeting miR-4500.
8.The predictive value of serum ALB,CRP,GLB in recurrent diabetic foot ulcers
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(1):18-21
Objective To investigate the predictive value of serum albumin(ALB),C-reactive protein(CRP)and globulin(GLB)in recurrent diabetic foot ulcers(DFU).Methods A total of 101 DFU patients admitted to Wuhan Third Hospital from January 2020 to November 2023 were selected as study objects.According to whether the patients had recurrent DFU,they were divided into recurrent group(59 cases)and control group(42 cases).The clinical data of two groups were compared,and the influencing factors of recurrent DFU were analyzed by Logistic regression.Receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to analyze the predictive value of serum ALB,CRP and GLB for recurrent DFU.Results The body mass index,hemoglobin and ALB in recurrent group were significantly lower than those in control group,while the levels of CRP,GLB,prealbumin and creatinine were significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that ALB was an independent protective factor for DFU recurrence(P<0.05),CRP and GLB were independent risk factors for DFU recurrence(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of ALB,CRP and GLB for predicting recurrent DFU were 0.782(95%CI:0.691-0.874),0.824(95%CI:0.742-0.906)and 0.686(95%CI:0.582-0.790),respectively.The AUC for the combined prediction of recurrent DFU was 0.849(95%CI:0.775-0.922).Conclusion Serum ALB levels were decreased in patients with recurrent DFU,while CRP and GLB levels were increased.ALB,CRP and GLB have a certain predictive value for recurrent DFU,and the combined predictive value is higher.
9.Comparative efficacy of robot-assisted balloon tibioplasty and traditional open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of AO/OTA type 41B2 tibial plateau fracture
Jialang HU ; Jing JIAO ; Yucheng HUANG ; Wen XIONG ; Jinyi WU ; Hai DENG ; Zhihua GENG ; Xuan MA ; Ming CHEN
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(4):369-376
Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of robot-assisted balloon tibioplasty and traditional open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of AO/OTA type 41B2 tibial plateau fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 70 patients with AO/OTA type 41B2 tibial plateau fracture who were admitted to Wuhan Fourth Hospital from September 2019 to October 2022, including 35 males and 35 females, aged 24-62 years [(44.9±9.5)years]. Among them, 41 patients underwent traditional open reduction and internal fixation (open reduction group), while 29 patients underwent robot-assisted balloon tibioplasty (balloon group). The following parameters were compared between the two groups: incision length, operative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopies, operation duration, and length of hospital stay; Rasmussen radiological scores at 3 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up and the fracture healing time; pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores preoperatively, and at 2 days and 3 months postoperatively; knee joint range of motion at 5 days, 3 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up; Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee function scores at 3, 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up; incidence rate of complications at 15 days postoperatively.Results:All the patients were followed for 12-24 months [18(17, 20)months]. The incision length, operative blood loss and length of hospital stay in the balloon group were 1.6(1.5, 3.0)cm, 5.0(5.0, 5.0)ml and 11.0(9.0, 14.0)days, less than those in the open reduction group [12.0(11.0, 12.0)cm, 100.0(50.0, 120.0)ml and 15.0(13.0, 20.0)days] ( P<0.01). The number of intraoperative fluoroscopies and operation duration in the open reduction group were 9.0(7.0, 10.0)times and 75.0(60.0, 90.0)minutes, less than those in the balloon group [336.0(335.0, 340.0)times and [90.0(70.0, 105.0)minutes] ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the Rasmussen radiological scores between the two groups at 3 days, 3 months postoperatively, or at the last follow-up ( P>0.05). The fracture healing time in the balloon group was 3.0(3.0, 3.0)months, shorter than 3.0(3.0, 3.5)months in the open reduction group ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in VAS scores before operation or at 3 months postoperatively ( P>0.05). However, the VAS score was 2.0(2.0, 3.0)points at 2 days postoperatively in the balloon group, lower than 5.0(5.0, 6.0)points in the open reduction group ( P<0.01). The knee joint range of motion at 5 days, 3 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were 90.0(85.0, 90.0)°, 135.0(130.0, 135.0)° and 140.0(135.0, 140.0)° in the balloon group, better than 65.0(60.0, 70.0)°, 125.0(120.0, 130.0)°, 130.0(130.0, 140.0)° in the open reduction group ( P<0.01). Similarly, the HSS knee function scores at 3, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were 80.0(80.0, 81.0)points, 91.0(90.0, 92.0)points, and 95.0(93.0, 96.0)points in the balloon group, better than 71.0(70.0, 72.0)points, 83.0(81.0, 84.0)points, and 86.0(84.0, 88.0)points in the open reduction group ( P<0.01). The incidence rate of complications in the balloon group was 0, comparable to 12% (5/41) in the open reduction group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with traditional open reduction and internal fixation surgery, robot-assisted balloon tibioplasty in the treatment of AO/OTA type 41B2 tibial plateau fracture significantly reduces surgical trauma, alleviates postoperative pain, promotes fracture healing, and accelerates functional recovery of the affected limbs.
10.Effects of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on spermatogenesis and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia rats.
Wen WANG ; Ling HAN ; Yichun LIANG ; Shulin LIANG ; Zhan QIN ; Liguo GENG ; Chaoba HE ; Ting HUANG ; Shaoying YUAN
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(4):495-504
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on spermatogenic function, testicular morphology and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia (OAT) rats, and to explore the mechanism and the optimal parameters of EA for OAT.
METHODS:
Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a solvent control group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 100 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the solvent control group, the other 4 groups were administered ornidazole suspension (800 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage for 28 d to establish the OAT model. Starting from the 1st of modeling, EA was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4), "Qihai" (CV6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) in the 3 EA groups, continuous wave of 2 Hz, continuous wave of 100 Hz, and disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz were used in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group, and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, respectively, with current intensity of 1-3 mA, 30 min a time, once every other day, for 28 consecutive days. After intervention, the testicular index was calculated, epididymal sperm quality was assessed, and the fertility ability was observed; morphology of testicular tissue was observed by HE staining, and the Johnson score was calculated; the positive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA; the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in testicular tissue was detected by Western blot.
RESULTS:
Compared with the solvent control group, in the model group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were decreased (P<0.01), the seminiferous tubules atrophied and the Johnson score decreased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological morphology of testicular tissue improved and the Johnson scores increased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as the CAT activity and HO-1 protein expression in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the 100 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index was increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of ROS in testicular tissue was decreased (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
EA with 2 Hz continuous wave, 100 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave can all improve the spermatogenic arrest and reduce the level of oxidative stress in testicular tissue in OAT rats, the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and improving oxidative stress. EA with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz shows the optimal effect.
Male
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Animals
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Electroacupuncture
;
Oxidative Stress
;
Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Spermatogenesis
;
Oligospermia/genetics*
;
Humans
;
Testis/metabolism*
;
Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism*
;
Asthenozoospermia/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

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