大鼠精索静脉曲张模型附睾中丙二醛、总抗氧化物及唾液酸含量的改变及意义

目的:探讨大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张后同侧附睾组织中丙二醛(MDA)、总抗氧化物(TAC)和附睾管腔中唾液酸(SA)含量的改变及意义。方法:用8只雄性SD大鼠建立左侧精索静脉曲张模型,另取8只SD大鼠作为对照组。硫代巴比妥酸法和铁离子还原法分别检测附睾组织中MDA和TAC含量;5甲-基苯二酚法检测附睾腔液中SA含量。结果:大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张模型建立后的第7 d,同侧附睾组织中MDA和TAC含量,模型组与对照组相比,差异有显著性(P<0.005);附睾管腔液中SA含量,模型组明显低于对照组,差异有显著性(P<0.005)。结论:大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张会导致同侧附睾组织中活性氧增加,TAC含量下降,进而影响到附睾上皮细胞合成和分泌SA的功能。     

精索静脉曲张大鼠睾丸瘦素表达的实验研究

目的研究精索静脉曲张对大鼠睾丸组织瘦素表达的影响，探讨精索静脉曲张引起不育的病理机制。方法选用雄性SD大鼠25只，随机分为模型组15只，假手术对照组10只。采用肾静脉缩窄法建立精索静脉曲张动物模型，半定量RT-PCR法分别检测两组大鼠睾丸瘦素mRNA含量。结果精索静脉曲张模型组和假手术对照组大鼠睾丸均有瘦素表达，模型组较假手术对照组瘦素mRNA含量显著增加（P〈0.05）。结论精索静脉曲张可引起睾丸瘦素mRNA表达显著增加，这可能是精索静脉曲张引起睾丸生精功能障碍导致不育的重要机制之一。     

大鼠精索静脉曲张后附睾上皮细胞凋亡及管腔α-1,4-葡糖苷酶、唾液酸含量观察

目的:探讨大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张后同侧附睾上皮细胞凋亡与附睾管腔中-α1,4-葡糖苷酶和唾液酸含量改变的关系及意义。方法:16只雄性SD大鼠建立左侧精索静脉曲张模型,分为对照组和实验组,每组8只。缺口末端转移酶标记技术检测附睾上皮细胞凋亡;硝基酚法和5-甲基苯二酚法分别检测附睾管腔液-α1,4-葡糖苷酶和唾液酸含量。结果:大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张模型建立后的第7 d,实验组同侧附睾上皮细胞凋亡指数显著高于对照组(P<0.001);实验组附睾管腔液-α1,4-葡糖苷酶、唾液酸含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.005)。结论:大鼠左侧精索静脉曲张可导致同侧附睾上皮细胞凋亡增加,进而影响该侧附睾上皮细胞的合成和分泌功能。     

Palomo和改良Palomo曲张精索内静脉结扎术对大鼠附睾的影响

目的:探讨Palomo曲张精索内静脉结扎术(PV)和改良Palomo曲张精索内静脉结扎术(MPV)对大鼠同侧附睾的影响。方法:50只雄性青春期SD大鼠,随机分为对照组、实验性精索静脉曲张(EV)组、PV组和MPV组。部分结扎左肾静脉建立大鼠EV模型,MPV组大鼠行保留睾丸动脉的曲张精索内静脉结扎术(MPV),PV组大鼠行包含睾丸动脉的曲张精索内静脉集束结扎术(PV)。检测各组大鼠左侧附睾的显微结构、超微结构、唾液酸和肉毒碱含量。结果:EV组和PV组附睾上皮的显微结构和超微结构明显异常。对照组唾液酸和肉毒碱浓度显著高于EV组和PV组(P<0.05),与MPV组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:EV可导致大鼠同侧附睾组织结构和功能的损害,MPV可以修复这些损害,而PV则进一步加重这些损害。     

实验性精索静脉曲张对青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾精子结合抗原11 mRNA及其蛋白异构体表达的影响

目的:研究实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)对青春期大鼠睾丸和附睾中精子结合抗原11(SPAG11)mRNA及其蛋白异构体SPAG11E表达的影响,并探讨其与精索静脉曲张导致男性不育的关系。方法:40只SD大鼠随机分为ELV2周组、4周组,假手术对照2周组、4周组,每组10只。ELV组行部分结扎左肾静脉建立青春期SD大鼠ELV模型,假手术对照组仅显露左肾静脉过程,但不结扎。应用RT-PCR和免疫组化法(n=5)检测SPAG11 mR-NA及SPAG11E蛋白在ELV2周组和ELV4周组及各自对照组大鼠双侧睾丸、附睾中的表达变化。结果:RT-PCR结果显示,SPAG11基因376bp的特异扩增产物仅见于大鼠附睾组织中。免疫组化结果显示,SPAG11E蛋白主要与睾丸生精上皮的圆形和长形精子细胞的顶体泡和顶体、睾丸间质细胞的胞质相结合;在附睾管上皮主细胞胞质和顶部静纤毛中表达。对RT-PCR的相对吸光度值和免疫组化的灰度值进行统计学分析显示:①左侧附睾ELV2周和4周组SPAG11 mRNA和SPAG11E蛋白的表达与各自右侧组及各自对照组比较均有显著减弱(P<0.05或P<0.01);左侧附睾ELV4周组SPAG11mRNA与SPAG11E的表达较ELV2周组显著减少(P<0.05或P<0.01);右侧附睾ELV4周组SPAG11E的表达也较ELV2周组显著减少(P<0.01);②两实验组双侧睾丸SPAG11E蛋白的表达与相应对照组比较均未见明显差异(P>0.05),且在ELV2周组和ELV4周组之间该蛋白的表达也无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:SPAG11是特异表达于附睾的基因,在大鼠睾丸和附睾中均可见其蛋白异构体SPAG11E免疫阳性反应,其定位及表达水平具有细胞特异性和区域特异性,而且SPAG11 mRNA及SPAG11E蛋白在ELV模型鼠附睾中的表达发生了明显变化,这提示SPAG11不仅可能在大鼠精子发生、成熟过程中发挥重要作用,还可能与精索静脉曲张所致的男性不育相关。     

左侧精索静脉曲张对成年大鼠附睾精子结合抗原11C和精子结合抗原11T表达的影响

目的明确精子结合抗原11C(SPAG11C)和11T(SPAG11T)在大鼠附睾中的表达定位,探究实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)对其表达的影响,为研究精索静脉曲张致不育机制提供实验资料。方法 48只成年SD大鼠随机分为4组:假手术2周组(A组)、假手术4周组(B组)和ELV造模2周组(C组)、ELV造模4周组(D组),每组12只。造模组行左肾静脉部分结扎术,建立实验性左侧精索静脉曲张模型;假手术组仅暴露左肾静脉。采用实时定量聚合酶链反应和免疫组织化学的方法,检测SPAG11C和SPAG11T在各组双侧附睾组织中的表达定位及变化。结果 SPAG11C和SPAG11T主要表达在附睾上皮的主细胞胞质内,且其表达呈现区段特异性。在ELV造模2周和4周后,造模组大鼠左侧附睾中SPAG11C和SPAG11T在核酸和蛋白水平上的表达均较同侧假手术组及造模组右侧附睾显著降低(P0.05),且与ELV造模2周组相比,ELV造模4周组降低更为明显(P0.05);而ELV造模组右侧附睾与假手术组比较无差异(P0.05)。结论 SPAG11C和SPAG11T在附睾中的表达具有细胞特异性和区段特异性,且精索静脉曲张可致其表达显著降低,可能是精索静脉曲张导致附睾微环境改变,影响精子成熟,继而导致男性生育力降低的原因之一。     

实验性精索静脉曲张对大鼠同侧睾丸的影响

目的:利用大鼠动物模型来研究实验性精索静脉曲张(EV)对其同侧睾丸的影响。方法:EV模型的制作是通过在雄性SD大鼠左侧精索内静脉和肾上腺静脉内侧部分结扎左肾静脉。60只雄性青春期SD大鼠随机分为EV持续6、12、18周组(EV6、EV12、EV18组,每组12只)和相应的接受假手术的对照组(每组8只)。于6、12、18周,摘取成功复制成EV模型大鼠(分别为10,8,9只)以及各自接受假手术的对照组大鼠左侧睾丸,检测其Johnsen's评分、生精小管超微结构、睾丸组织睾酮浓度(ITC)和生精细胞的凋亡指数(AI)。结果:EV6、EV12、EV18组Johnsen's评分(6.92±0.52,4.83±0.41,2.95±0.26)和ITC(6.32±0.85,5.17±0.76,4.11±0.69)均显著低于各自对照组[(9.56±0.35,9.63±0.31,9.39±0.46)和(9.64±1.23,9.38±0.69,9.73±0.49)](P<0.05),并且随着精索静脉曲张持续时间的增加而逐渐降低;EV6、EV12、EV18组AI(5.32±1.23,15.21±0.97,21.13±1.12)显著高于各自对照组(3.21±1.15,3.43±1.21,3.61±1.15),并且随着精索静脉曲张持续时间的增加而逐渐升高;各EV组生精小管的超微结构损伤也随着精索静脉曲张持续时间的增加而逐渐严重。结论:EV导致同侧睾丸ITC下降、生精功能的进行性损害、生精细胞AI增加。     

通精灵对实验性精索静脉曲张大鼠精子DNA完整性与睾丸组织氧化应激的影响

目的:探讨通精灵对实验性精索精索静脉曲张大鼠精子DNA完整性与睾丸组织氧化应激的影响。方法:雄性Wistar大鼠75只随机分为假手术组、模型组、高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组,每组15只。参照文献制备大鼠精索静脉曲张模型,"夹尾激怒法"建立合并中医肝气郁结证模型。造模完成后4周开始给药,持续8周。观察大鼠的一般情况,精子染色质结构分析法(SCSA)检测附睾精子DFI。化学比色法测睾丸过氧化氢(H_2O_2)含量、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果:与假手术组相比较,模型组大鼠附睾精子DFI[(8.36±2.49)%]显著升高(P0.01),睾丸组织H_2O_2含量[(431.22±97.01)mmol/g prot]显著升高(P0.01),CAT[(10.53±2.69)U/ml]、SOD[(87.30±25.33)U/ml]活性显著升高(P0.01)。与模型组相比较,通精灵各组附睾精子DFI显著降低,睾丸组织H_2O_2的含量显著降低。结论:精索静脉曲张模型大鼠附睾精子DNA完整性降低,睾丸组织呈氧化应激状态,精子DNA完整性与氧化应激有相关性,通精灵可能通过增加CAT、SOD活性,降低H_2O_2含量减轻了睾丸组织氧化应激状态,从而提高精子DNA完整性。     

CatSper1在精索静脉曲张模型大鼠精子中的差异表达及左卡尼汀对其的保护作用

目的:通过制备精索静脉曲张大鼠模型,检测其附睾精子中精子特异性钙通道(CatSper1)的表达,观察左卡尼汀对大鼠精子CatSper1的影响。方法:70只雄性大鼠随机分为7组,每组10只。分别为对照组(A组),精索静脉曲张组(B组),精索静脉曲张+生理盐水组(C组),精索静脉曲张+小、中、大剂量左卡尼汀组(D、E、F组)和F+延长喂养14 d组(G组)。手术结扎部分左肾静脉制备精索静脉曲张大鼠模型,12周后,C组给予生理盐水1 ml/d,D、E、F组分别用左卡尼汀小[0.05 g/(kg·d)]、中[0.1 g/(kg·d)]、大[0.2 g/(kg·d)]剂量灌胃35 d,G组在F组基础上延长灌胃14 d;实验结束后处死大鼠,进行精子参数分析,应用RT-PCR以及Western印迹分别检测精子中CatSper1 mRNA及蛋白表达情况。结果:与A组比较,B组a+b级精子百分率、精子活率及浓度均不同程度下降(P0.01),B组精子CatSper1 mRNA及蛋白相对表达量均明显下降(1.44±0.67 vs 0.71±0.38;1.87±0.67 vs 0.84±0.42,P0.01)。与C组比较,应用左卡尼汀后,各组精子浓度无明显增加, a+b级精子百分率、精子活率以及精子CatSper1 mRNA及蛋白表达含量明显增高,尤其大剂量组F、G组增高更加明显(P0.01)。与F组比较,G组延长应用2周左卡尼汀,精子CatSper1 mRNA及蛋白表达量无明显增加(P0.05)。结论:精索静脉曲张模型大鼠精子中CatSper1表达下降,应用左卡尼汀后,CatSper1的表达量及a+b级精子百分率、精子活率明显增加。     

青春期大鼠实验性精索静脉曲张对附睾细胞线粒体Ca~(2+)和细胞色素C的影响

目的 :探讨外科所致的精索静脉曲张对青春期大鼠附睾细胞线粒体Ca2 + 及细胞色素C的影响。　方法 :对 4 0只青春期雄性Wistar大鼠 ,通过部分结扎左肾静脉或显露左肾静脉建立精索静脉曲张模型 (VG ,2 0只 )和假手术模型 (SOG ,2 0只 ) ,术后 10周 ,取双侧附睾 ,检测附睾头、体部细胞线粒体Ca2 + 、细胞色素C含量。　结果 :与SOG组相比 ,VG组附睾细胞线粒体Ca2 + 含量显著降低 (P <0 .0 0 1) ,细胞色素C含量显著增高 (P <0 .0 5 )。　结论 :外科所致精索静脉曲张大鼠附睾细胞钙稳态失衡、线粒体有损伤 ,这些变化可能是影响其生育能力的机制之一。     

实验性精索静脉曲张对大鼠睾丸和附睾中血管内皮生长因子及其受体1表达的影响

目的:研究实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)对青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及其受体fms样酪氨酸激酶(Flt-1)蛋白表达的影响。方法:建立青春期雄性SD大鼠ELV模型,采用免疫组化SP法检测VEGF和Flt-1在ELV组及假手术对照组睾丸、附睾组织中的表达变化。结果:VEGF和Flt-1蛋白在ELV组和对照组大鼠睾丸、附睾中均有表达,其定位和表达量具有细胞特异性和区域特异性。经图像分析和统计检测显示,ELV2周和4周组双侧睾丸和附睾中VEGF蛋白的表达与相应对照组比较均显著增加(P<0.01和P<0.05);ELV2周组双侧睾丸和附睾中Flt-1蛋白的表达与相应对照组比较也显著增加(P<0.01和P<0.01),但4周时在双侧睾丸和左侧附睾中Flt-1蛋白的表达显著下降(P<0.01和P<0.05),而右侧附睾未见明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:实验性精索静脉曲张可造成青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾中VEGF和Flt-1的表达量变化,该变化可能会影响精子的发生和成熟,因而可能是VC引起男性生育力下降甚至不育的原因之一。     

实验性精索静脉曲张对青春期大鼠睾丸、附睾中CRES蛋白表达的影响

目的:研究青春期大鼠实验性左侧精索静脉曲张(ELV)对睾丸和附睾中胱蛋白酶抑制剂相关的附睾精子发生(CRES)蛋白表达的影响,探索精索静脉曲张导致不育的机制。方法:建立青春期雄性SD大鼠ELV模型,采用免疫组化及蛋白印迹方法检测CRES蛋白在ELV 2周组(n=8)、4周组(n=8)及其相应的对照组(n均=5)大鼠睾丸和附睾头、体、尾中的表达变化。结果:免疫组化显示,CRES蛋白在ELV实验组和对照组大鼠睾丸和附睾中均有表达。在睾丸中,CRES蛋白主要定位于圆形和长形精子细胞的胞质、精子的顶体以及残余体中,其表达与生精周期密切相关,Ⅰ~Ⅲ和Ⅸ~ⅩⅣ期表达最强,Ⅶ~Ⅷ期表达次之,Ⅳ~Ⅵ期表达减弱。在附睾中,CRES蛋白主要表达于从附睾起始段到尾部的上皮主细胞的胞质中,且以体、尾部表达最强,头部次之,管腔分泌物也呈阳性表达。实验组比对照组CRES蛋白表达增强。W estern印迹显示:实验组和对照组大鼠睾丸和附睾在相对分子质量(Mr)为19 000和14 000处均可见CRES蛋白条带,其中以Mr19 000处表达更为明显。实验组CRES蛋白的表达比对照组明显增强。对免疫组化和W estern印迹结果进行灰度值和积分吸光度值(IA)测定,并经统计学分析显示:ELV 2周组和4周组比其相对应的对照组表达增强且差异有显著性(P<0.05或P<0.01),而ELV各组间未见CRES蛋白表达有明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:CRES蛋白在大鼠睾丸和附睾中均有表达,睾丸中表达呈现生精周期特异性和细胞特异性,附睾中表达呈现附睾上皮区段和细胞特异性;CRES蛋白在青春期ELV大鼠睾丸和附睾中的表达比对照组明显增强。这些结果提示CRES蛋白在精子发生和精子成熟过程中可能起着重要的作用,并且可能与ELV引起的不育或生育力低下有关。     

The abnormal expressions of tristetraprolin and vascular endothelial growth factor family which participate in ultrafiltration failure

Objective To observe the expression of tristetraprolin (TTP) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, to test and verify whether lymphangiogenesis was involved in the occurrence of ultrafiltration failure (UFF) as well as angiogenesis. Methods Forty male SD rats of clean grade were selected (180-200 g). These rats were divided into five groups randomly: normal group (n=8), sham operation group (n=8), uremia group (n=8), peritoneal dialysis (PD) 2-week group (n=8), PD 4-week group (n=8). The uremic rats model was established by 5/6 nephrectomy, and of which the PD rats model was established on the basis. The rats of PD2-week group and PD4-week group were given regular PD with 4.25% peritoneal dialysis fluid in dose of 3 ml/100 g body weight. PD2-week group received peritoneal dialysis for 2 weeks, PD4-week group for 4 weeks. Before the rats were sacrificed, peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was applied to calculate the mass transfer of glucose and peritoneal ultrafiltration volume. The protein expressions of VEGF, VEGF–C in each group of rats’ parietal peritoneum were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Microvessel density (MVD) and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) of peritoneal tissue were marked and quantified with anti-CD31 antibody, anti-LYVE-1 antibody. RT-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expressions of VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, TTP. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of TTP. Results (1)PET revealed that, compared with normal group, the mass transport of glucose and the peritoneal ultrafiltration volume of both PD 2-week group and PD 4-week group elevated (P＜0.05); and compared with PD 2-week group, PD 4-week group’s elevated (P＜0.05). (2) Compared with normal group, the protein expression of CD31, LYVE-1, the count of MVD and LVD were increased in uremia group and PD4-week group (P＜0.05). Those of PD4-week groups likewise were increased compared to uremia group (P＜0.05). (3) Compared with normal group, the mRNA expressions of VEGF, VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D were significantly increased in uremia group (P＜0.05); Compared with uremia group, the expressions in PD4-week group were significantly increased (P＜0.05). Compared with normal group, the mRNA and protein expressions of VEGF, VEGF-C were increased in PD 2-week group (P＜0.05); Compared with PD 2-week group, the expressions were increased in PD 4-week group (P＜0.05). (4) Compared with normal group, the expressions of TTP protein was decreased in uremia group and PD 2-week group (P＜0.05). Compared with uremia and PD2-week group, the expressions of TTP protein was significantly decreased in PD4-week group (P＜0.05). Conclusions High glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid and uremic circumstance result in the expression changes of TTP and VEGF family in a PD time-dependent manner. High glucose peritoneal dialysis liquid gives rise to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, both of which lead to UFF.     

出生后注射雌二醇诱导隐睾性不育小鼠模型的实验研究

目的:观察出生后注射雌二醇诱导小鼠隐睾模型的发生率及生精情况。方法:90只雄性新生Balb/C小鼠随机分为实验组(n=60)、溶剂对照组(n=20)和正常对照组(n=10)。实验组进一步随机分为4个亚组,分别于出生后3～28 d(4周组)、3～42 d(6周组)、3～56 d(8周组)、3～70 d(10周组)给予皮下注射17-β雌二醇(5μg/d)。观察停药后2周隐睾发生率及形态学变化。结果:实验组各亚组(4、6、8、10周组)停药后2周隐睾发生率分别为0%、26.7%、60%、60%。而对照组均无隐睾发生。在4周和6周组停药后均出现隐睾自行下降恢复生精的情况,连续注药8周后模型稳定,隐睾生精不恢复。结论:出生后连续注射雌二醇8周能够建立稳定的隐睾性不育小鼠模型。     

雄激素对大鼠阴茎海绵体平滑肌中兰尼碱受体1和电压门控钙离子通道1.3表达的影响研究

目的:研究兰尼碱受体1(RyR1)和电压门控钙离子通道1.3(CaV1.3)在去势大鼠阴茎海绵体平滑肌的表达,探讨其在去势后勃起功能障碍发生中的作用。方法:40只8周龄雄性SD大鼠随机均分成:假手术2周组(A组),假手术4周组(B组),去势2周组(C组),去势4周组(D组)。术后实验各组检测血清睾酮(T)水平,免疫组化及RT-PCR技术检测RyR1和CaV1.3在大鼠阴茎海绵体平滑肌中的表达。结果:血清T水平C组[(15.97±5.67)nmol/L]和D组[(2.03±1.57)nmol/L]分别较A组[(90.54±20.13)nmol/L]和B组[(120.35±30.32)nmol/L]显著下降(P<0.05)。RyR1、CaV1.3在各组大鼠阴茎海绵体平滑肌中均有表达,RyR1 mRNA相对表达量灰度比值C组(0.51±0.24)和D组(0.33±0.15)分别较A组(1.53±0.25)和B组(1.37±0.23)显著降低(P<0.05);CaV1.3 mRNA相对表达量灰度比值C组(0.50±0.12)和D组(0.32±0.07)分别较A组(1.33±0.05)和B组(1.25±0.03)显著降低(P<0.05)。RyR1蛋白积分光密度值(IA)C组(120.36±25.78)和D组(67.39±30.54)分别较A组(300.96±135.12)和B组(330.38±128.59)显著降低(P<0.05);CaV1.3蛋白IA C组(103.37±39.52)和D组(67.56±20.15)分别较A组(298.68±126.35)和B组(327.35±117.37)显著降低(P<0.05)。雄激素水平与RyR1、CaV1.3在阴茎海绵体平滑肌中的表达水平具有正相关性。结论:雄激素可能通过RyR1、CaV1.3的表达调控阴茎勃起功能。     

GATA-4在小鼠睾丸中的表达定位研究

目的:观察小鼠睾丸内GATA-4免疫反应产物的特征与分布。方法:选取刚出生、2、4、6周雄性B6SJLF1/J小鼠各6只,取睾丸进行石蜡切片,应用免疫组化ABC法,DAB显色,观察GATA-4在不同时期睾丸中的表达情况。结果:GATA-4免疫反应产物在以上4个阶段小鼠睾丸Sertoli细胞、Leydig细胞均有分布,且4、6周组小鼠睾丸Leydig细胞阳性率比刚出生和2周组小鼠更高(P<0.01);但4、6周组小鼠,除以上两种细胞外,生精细胞中也有分布,6周组小鼠比4周组小鼠阳性细胞率高(P<0.01)。结论:小鼠睾丸内存在GATA-4,为研究GATA-4在睾丸性别决定和分化以及激素调控方面提供了形态学依据。     

Hypertrophy of Vascularized Bone Isograft in Rats Treated with Cyclosporine A

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on vascularized tibio-fibula isograft between 12-week-old male Lewis rats. After transplantation, 45 rats were randomly allocated to one of the following 7 treatment groups: (1) 4-week vehicle (n = 5), (2) 4-week CsA (n = 5), (3) 8-week vehicle (n = 10), (4) 8-week CsA (n = 10), (5) 4-week CsA followed by 4-week vehicle (n = 5), (6) 16-week vehicle (n = 5), or (7) 4-week CsA followed by 12-week vehicle (n = 5). In soft X-ray and micro-computed tomography examination, hypertrophic change of the grafted bones was apparent in the 4- and 8-week CsA groups. Mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate of the grafted bones in the 4-week CsA group were markedly higher than those in the 4-week vehicle group. In the 4- and 8-week CsA groups, however, bone mineral density (BMD) of the grafted bones was lower and strength of the reconstructed bones was weaker than the 4- and 8-week vehicle groups. Urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) level was higher in the 4- and 8-week CsA groups than in the 4- and 8-week vehicle groups. The group of 4-week CsA followed by 4-week vehicle had a level of urinary DPD equal to the 8-week vehicle group, but their BMD of the grafted bones was lower and strength of the reconstructed bones was weaker than the 8-week vehicle group. By contrast, the group of 4-week CsA followed by 12-week vehicle had BMD of the grafted bones and strength of the reconstructed bones similar to the 16-week vehicle group. These findings demonstrate that short-term CsA treatment induces hypertrophic change of vascularized bone graft with high-turnover bone loss, and strength of the reconstructed bone is gradually restored after the cessation of CsA treatment.     

Relationship between seminal plasma interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels with semen parameters in fertile and infertile men

The levels of two proinflammatory cytokines, namely tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were investigated in seminal plasma (SP) of proven fertile (n=24) and infertile (n=55) men to evaluate the relationship between diagnosis and semen parameters in a prospective study. Infertile men were divided into four groups as follows: (1) varicocele (n=23), (2) 3 months after varicocelectomy (post-varicocele, n=14), (3) male accessory gland infection (MAGI, n=10) and (4) bilateral testicular atrophy (n=8). IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were similar in the SP of fertile and infertile men. There was a strong correlation between the levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in all groups (P<0.001). IL-6 levels were not correlated with seminal parameters (P>0.05). TNF-alpha levels were negatively correlated with the sperm motility and morphology (P<0.05), but there was no correlation with total sperm counts (P>0.05). The mean levels of IL-6 in the SP of the MAGI group was higher than in the other groups but did not reach statistical significance. No variation was found in the SP levels of the proinflammatory cytokines studied between the varicocele and the post-varicocele groups. Our results suggest that IL-6 and TNF-alpha are involved in male fertility. However, their measurement in SP seem to be unsuitable for routine infertility work, perhaps with the exception of men with inflammatory genital diseases.