A Chinese Herbal Formula,Wuzi Yanzong Pill(五子衍宗丸),Improves Spermatogenesis by Modulating the Secretory Function of Sertoli Cells

Objective： To evaluate the effects of the Chinese herbal formula Wuzi Yanzong Pill （五子衍宗丸, WYP） on the spermatogenesis and specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells in rat model and to investigate the underlying mechanism. Me^ods： Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats including the control group, the model group, the low-dose WYP group, the medium-dose WYP group and the high-dose WYP group （5 in each group） were treated daily with vehicle, multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f （GTW） either alone （20 mg/kg） or followed by WYP （0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg daily）, respectively for 30 days. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）, inhibin B （INHB） and testosterone （r） were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Androgen- binding protein （ABP） gene expression and transferrin （TF） protein expression in testis tissue specimens of all rats were determined using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Histopathological alterations in the testis were determined using Johnsen＇s score. Results： The toxicity of GTW towards Sertoli cell secretory functions and spermatogenesis was accompanied by increased serum FSH concentrations and decreased INHB and T concentrations. Upregulated ABP mRNA levels, and decreased TF protein expression and Johnsen＇s scores were detected in the model group compared with the control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. Oral high-dose WYP administrations to GTW-treated rats effectively alleviated all of the GTW- induced changes in specific secretory functions of Sertoli cells （ABP, INHB and TF）. Furthermore, serum T level and Johnsen＇s score of the testis increased greatly compared with the model group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion： WYP has the ability to improve the spermatogenesis, possibly through modulating the secretory proteins expression of Sertoli cells.

Yangyin Huowei mixture alleviates chronic atrophic gastritis by inhibiting the IL-10/JAK1/STAT3 pathway

BACKGROUND The Chinese medicine Yangyin Huowei mixture(YYHWM)exhibits good clinical efficacy in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis(CAG),but the mechanisms underlying its activity remain unclear.AIM To investigate the therapeutic effects of YYHWM and its underlying mechanisms in a CAG rat model.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into control,model,vitacoenzyme,and low,medium,and high-dose YYHWM groups.CAG was induced in rats using Nmethyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine,ranitidine hydrochloride,hunger and satiety perturbation,and ethanol gavage.Following an 8-wk intervention period,stomach samples were taken,stained,and examined for histopathological changes.ELISA was utilized to quantify serum levels of PG-I,PG-II,G-17,IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α.Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate protein expression of IL-10,JAK1,and STAT3.RESULTS The model group showed gastric mucosal layer disruption and inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with the blank control group,serum levels of PGI,PGII,and G-17 in the model group were significantly reduced(82.41±3.53 vs 38.52±1.71,23.06±0.96 vs 11.06±0.70,and 493.09±12.17 vs 225.52±17.44,P<0.01 for all),whereas those of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-αwere significantly increased(30.15±3.07 vs 80.98±4.47,69.05±12.72 vs 110.85±6.68,and 209.24±11.62 vs 313.37±36.77,P<0.01 for all),and the protein levels of IL-10,JAK1,and STAT3 were higher in gastric mucosal tissues(0.47±0.10 vs 1.11±0.09,0.49±0.05 vs 0.99±0.07,and 0.24±0.05 vs 1.04±0.14,P<0.01 for all).Compared with the model group,high-dose YYHWM treatment significantly improved the gastric mucosal tissue damage,increased the levels of PGI,PGII,and G-17(38.52±1.71 vs 50.41±3.53,11.06±0.70 vs 15.33±1.24,and 225.52±17.44 vs 329.22±29.11,P<0.01 for all),decreased the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(80.98±4.47 vs 61.56±4.02,110.85±6.68 vs 89.20±8.48,and 313.37±36.77 vs 267.30±9.31,P<0.01 for all),and evidently decreased the protein levels of IL-10 and STAT3 in gastric mucosal tissues(1.11±0.09 vs 0.19±0.07 and 1.04±0.14 vs 0.55±0.09,P<0.01 for both).CONCLUSION YYHWM reduces the release of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the IL-10/JAK1/STAT3 pathway,alleviating gastric mucosal damage,and enhancing gastric secretory function,thereby ameliorating CAG development and cancer transformation.

Functional mechanism of Pingchuanning Decoction on adjustment of clara cell secretory protein in airway remodeling of asthmatic rats

OBJECTIVE:To study the functional mechanism of Pingchuanning Decoction in treatment of airway remodeling in asthmatic rats.METHODS:Eighty healthy Wistar male rats were randomized into eight groups(n=10 rats each):Normal group,Asthma model group,Dexamethasone group,Guilong Kechuanning group,Xiaoqinglong Decoction group,and Pingchuanning Decoction low-,middle-,and high-dose groups.The rats of all but the Normal group were made into asthma models through intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation of ovalbumin.All treatments were administered at the first stimulation of asthma onset(third week of modeling),and the rats were killed after stimulating asthma attacks for 4 weeks.The general conditions of rats and pathomorphological changes of the lung tissues were observed.The expression of nerve growth factor(NGF) of the lung tissues was measured with immunohistochemical methods,and the content of Clara cell secretory protein(CCSP) mRNA was determined with RT-PCR.RESULTS:Compared with the Normal group,the contents of NGF and CCSP mRNA in the lung tissues of the Model group were significantly changed(P<0.01).Compared with the Model group,the indices of Pingchuanning Decoction and other treatment groups were improved to some extent(P<0.05 or P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Pathological changes of airway inflammation and remodeling were present in these rat asthma models.Pingchuanning Decoction had an intervention effect on these experimental models.Its functional mechanism may be related to multiple factors,including alleviation of airway inflammation,relief of bronchial smooth muscle spasm,and inhibition of airway remodeling.