Heshouwu decoction, a Chinese herb for tonifying kidney, ameliorates hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis secretion in aging rats

An increasing amount of evidence demonstrates the anti-aging effect of Heshouwu in pill form. In this study, a subacute aging rat model was established by continuous intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose and treated with Heshouwu decoction （a Chinese herb for tonifying the kidney, comprising Heshouwu pill, Herba Epimedii, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhiae, and Poria）. Heshouwu pill treated rats were the positive control group. Radioimmunoassay, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot assay showed hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone, hypothalamic substance P, and serum gonadotropin levels to be significantly increased in the model rats; the concentrations of hypothalamic ~3-endorphin, and serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I and testosterone were significantly decreased. 1713- and 3[3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression in testicular tissue was also decreased. Intragastric administration of Heshouwu decoction at high （9.6 g/mL/100 g）, medium （4.8 g/mL/100 g）, and low （2.4 g/mlJ100 g） doses, Heshouwu decoction pretreatment at a medium dose （4.8 g/mL/100 g）, and Heshouwu pill （2.06 g/mL/100 g） significantly reversed these changes. Heshouwu decoction pretreatment and high-dose Heshouwu decoction had the greatest anti-aging effects. These experimental findings indicate that Heshouwu decoction can improve hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis secretion in a subacute aging rat model, and prevent and delay gonadal axis aging, with an effect superior to that of Heshouwu pill.

Effect of noise exposure(85 dB) on testicular adrenocortical steroidogenic key enzymes, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities of sex organs in mature albino rats

Changes in the activities of Δ 5\|3β\|hydroysteroid dehydrogenase(HSD) in testis and adrenal gland, 17β\|hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in testis, acid and alkaline phosphatase in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle were observed in noise exposed mature rats at the intensity of 85 dB for 8 h/day for 45 days. The results indicated that noise exposed group showed a significant diminution in the activities of androgenic key enzymes Δ 5\|3β and 17β\|HSD, acid phosphatase in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle. There was a significant elevation in the activities of adrenal Δ 5\|3β\|HSD, alkaline phosphatase in testis and other accessory sex organ in noise exposed group. Gonadosomatic, prostatosomatic and seminal vesiculo\|somatic indexes were decreased significantly in noise exposed group. Therefore, it is evident that noise exposure at 85dB exerts a deleterious effect on testicular and adrenocortical activities.

Associations of Hydroxysteroid 17-beta Dehydrogenase 13 Variants with Liver Histology in Chinese Patients with Metabolicassociated Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims:In Europeans,variants in the hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 13(HSD17B13)gene impact liver histology in metabolic-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).The impact of these variants in ethnic Chinese is unknown.The aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations in Chinese patients.Methods:In total,427 Han Chinese with biopsy-confirmed MAFLD were enrolled.Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in HSD17B13 were genotyped:rs72613567 and rs6531975.Logistic regression was used to test the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms and liver histology.Results:In our cohort,the minor allele TA of the rs72613567 variant was related to an increased risk of fibrosis[odds ratio(OR):2.93(1.20–7.17),p=0.019 for the additive model;OR:3.32(1.39–7.91),p=0.007 for the recessive model],representing an inverse association as compared to the results from European cohorts.In contrast,we observed a protective effect on fibrosis for the minor A allele carriers of the HSD17B13 rs6531975 variant[OR:0.48(0.24–0.98),p=0.043 for the additive model;OR:0.62(0.40–0.94),p=0.025 for the dominant model].HSD17B13 variants were only associated with fibrosis but no other histological features.Furthermore,HSD17B13 rs6531975 modulated the effect of PNPLA3 rs738409 on hepatic steatosis.Conclusions:HSD17B13 rs72613567 is a risk variant for fibrosis in a Han Chinese MAFLD population but with a different direction for allelic association to that seen in Europeans.These data exemplify the need for studying diverse populations in genetic studies in order to fine map genome-wide association studies signals.

Expression of Key Steroidogenic Enzymes in Human Placenta and Associated Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Steroid hormones,including progestagens,estrogens,androgens,corticosteroids,and their precursor cholesterol,perform essential functions in the successful establishment and maintenance of pregnancy and normal fetal development.As the core endocrine organ at the prenatal stage,the human placenta is involved in the biosynthesis,metabolism,and delivery of steroid hormones.Steroidogenic pathways are tightly regulated by placenta-intrinsic cytochrome P450 and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.However,the relationship between placental steroidogenic enzyme expression and adverse pregnancy outcomes is controversial.In this review,we summarize the possible upstream regulatory mechanisms of placental steroidogenic enzymes in physiologic and pathophysiologic states.We also describe the human placental barrier model and examine the potential of single-cell sequencing for evaluating the primary functions and cellular origin of steroidogenic enzymes.Finally,we examine the existing evidence for the association between placental steroidogenic enzyme dysregulation and adverse pregnancy outcomes.