Work

[Gandou Bushen Decoction improves spermatogenesis and promotes spermatogenic cell proliferation in Wilson disease TX mice by activating testicular ERK signaling pathway].

Year: 2024

Type: other

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Decoction (GDBSD) for improving reproductive disorders in male mouse models of Wilson disease (WD). METHODS: Sixty male homozygous TX mice were randomized equally into 4 groups and treated with daily gavage of saline (WD model group), penicillamine (0.09 g/kg), or GDBSD (0.2 mL/10 g), or with intraperitoneal injection of U0126 (20 mg/kg) in addition to GDBSD gavage, with 15 male DL mice as control. After 4 weeks of treatment, copper content in testicular tissue of the mice was detected, and histopathology of the testes and epididymis was examined using HE staining and electron microscopy. TUNEL staining was used to identify apoptotic cells in the testes. The protein expressions of Bcl-2, Cytc, caspase-3, ERK, and p-ERK in the testicular tissue were evaluated with Western blotting, and BrdU-positive cells were detected with immunohistochemical labeling. Sperm density, viability, malformation rate and fertility levels of male mice were studied. RESULTS: < 0.05), while U0126 treatment significantly lowered testicular Bcl-2 expression level. No significant differences were found in total protein expression levels of ERK1/2 among the 5 groups, but p-ERK protein expression was significantly reduced in WD and U0126 groups and increased in penicillamine and GDBSD groups. CONCLUSION: GDBSD can improve spermatogenesis and enhance fertility of male TX mice with WD possibly by activating the ERK signaling pathway to enhance proliferation and reduce apoptosis of the spermatogenic cells.

Source: PubMed

DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2024.11.02