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[Qingli shengjing pills decrease apoptosis of germ cells and expressions of fas and fasL in male mice infected with
Ai-lian Yu1, Wen Deng, Peng Jiao
1Faculty of Pathobiology, Taishan Medical College, Tai'an, Shandong 271000, China. alyu@tsmc.edu.cn
Objective:
To study the effects of Qingli Shengjing Pills (QSP) on the apoptosis of germ cells and expressions of Fas and FasL in male mice infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli), and to clarify the molecular mechanism of QSP in the treatment of male infertility induced by E. coli infection.
Methods:
Fifty male mice were injected with E. coli via the bladder to make infection models, and at 15 dpi equally randomized into five groups: an untreated, a high-dose QSP (22.5 g/ml), a medium-dose QSP (13.5 g/ml), a low-dose QSP (4.50 g/ml) and a Furadantin treatment group, which were coded as MN, MTa, MTb, MTc and MTd, respectively. Another 10 mice were injected with saline and included in the control group coded as CT. After 10 days of oral medication, the apoptosis of germ cells in the testis of the mice was detected by flow cytometry, the expressions of Fas and FasL determined by immunohistochemistry and the histopathological changes observed simultaneously.
Results:
After the treatment, the apoptosis of germ cells was observed in all the infected groups, and the apoptosis level in MN (57.44%) was significantly higher than that in CT (28.54%), MTb (28.59%) or MTa (30.11%) (P < 0.01) but had no significant difference from that in MTc (46.54%) or MTd (43.41%) (P > 0.05). The expressions of Fas and FasL proteins were significantly higher in MN than in CT, MTa, MTb, MTc and MTd (P < 0.01). Histopathological changes of the testis tissue were observed in MN, but not in other groups.
Conclusion:
E. coli infection could increase the apoptosis rate of germ cells and the expressions of Fas and FasL proteins. Qingli Shengjing Pills, capable of enhancing reproductivity by reducing the expressions of Fas and FasL and apoptosis of germ cells, can be used as one of the effective drugs for infertility induced by E. coli infection.
Insights
Qingli Shengjing Pills (QSP) reduce germ cell apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression in male mice infected with Escherichia coli (E. coli). This indicates QSP
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection can lead to male infertility.
- Germ cell apoptosis and altered Fas/FasL expression are implicated in E. coli-induced infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingli Shengjing Pills (QSP) on E. coli-induced male infertility.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involving germ cell apoptosis and Fas/FasL expression.
Main Methods:
- Male mice were infected with E. coli to establish infertility models.
- Groups received varying doses of QSP, Furadantin, or served as untreated/control.
- Germ cell apoptosis, Fas/FasL expression, and testicular histopathology were assessed.
Main Results:
- E. coli infection significantly increased germ cell apoptosis and Fas/FasL protein expression.
- QSP treatment, particularly at medium and high doses, reduced apoptosis and Fas/FasL levels compared to untreated infected mice.
- Histopathological damage was observed in untreated infected mice but mitigated by QSP.
Conclusions:
- E. coli infection induces germ cell apoptosis and elevates Fas/FasL expression, contributing to male infertility.
- Qingli Shengjing Pills demonstrate a protective effect by downregulating Fas/FasL and reducing germ cell apoptosis.
- QSP shows potential as an effective treatment for E. coli-induced male infertility.
