Biomedical subjects

Li-Quan Hu

Publications and source records attributed to Li-Quan Hu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Effects of epidermal growth factor on sperm content and motility of rats with surgically induced varicoceles.

AIM: To investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the sperm content and motility of the varicocelized rats. METHODS: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the varicocele, the varicocele repair, the varicocele with EGF and the varicocele repair with EGF groups, whereas the control group only received a sham induction of varicocele. Surgical repair of varicocele was performed 4 months later in the varicocele repair and varicocele repair with EGF groups. EGF administration was performed daily by s.c. injection in the varicocele with EGF and varicocele repair with EGF groups at the dose of 10 microg/(kg.day) from the next day of the second surgery. One month later, all animals were killed and bilateral cauda epididymal sperm counts and motility were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean sperm count and percentage of motile spermatozoa were significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele with EGF group than in the varicocele group (P < 0.05). They were also significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele repair with EGF group than in the varicocele repair and the varicocele with EGF groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EGF can improve bilateral epididymal sperm content and motility of the rat with surgically induced varicocele. The administration of EGF in combination with surgical repair is more effective than surgical repair or EGF administration alone. EGF might be useful for the treatment of infertility induced by varicocele.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Improvement in erectile dysfunction after insulin-like growth factor-1 gene therapy in diabetic rats.

AIM: To determine whether adenoviral gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats could improve erectile capacity. METHODS: THE STZ diabetic rats were transfected with AdCMV-betagal or AdCMV-IGF-1. These rats underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to assess erectile function and their responses were compared with those of age-matched control rats 1 to 2 days after transfection. In control and transfected STZ diabetic rats, IGF-1 expression were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and histology. The penis beta-galactosidase activity and localization of the STZ diabetic rats were also determined. RESULTS: One to two days after transfection, the beta-galactosidase was found in the smooth muscle cells of the diabetic rat penis transfected with AdCMV-betagal. One to 2 days after administration of AdCMV-IGF-1, the cavernosal pressure, as determined by the ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure-to-mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and total intracavernous pressure (ICP), was increased in response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Transgene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blot and histology. CONCLUSION: Gene transfer of IGF-1 significantly increased erectile function in the STZ diabetic rats. These results suggest that in vivo gene transfer of IGF-1 might be a new therapeutic intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the STZ diabetic rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Impacts of denervation on the morphology and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase of prostate of adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the impacts of denervation on the morphology and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of prostate of the adolescent rats. METHODS: Adolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into group A and group B. The right pelvic ganglion denervation was performed in group B with the help of surgical microscope, and group A received a sham operation. Five weeks later, the ventral prostates were obtained for morphologic observation, apoptosis detection and the evaluation of nNOS expression. RESULTS: A 30.8% reduction of right ventral prostate (RVP) fresh weight was found in group B. After denervation, histological features showed an overall decrease in the numbers of cells and cell height, and apoptosis indexes (AI) was significantly higher than that in group A (P <0.01), while the expression of nNOS decreased apparently (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The study indicates that denervation can cause apoptosis of the prostatic, and affect the prostate growth of the adolescent rat. During this process, nNOS plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Effects of experimental varicocele on methylenedioxyamphetamine, total antioxidants content and sialic acid of the epididymis in adolescent rats].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), total antioxidants content (TAC) and sialic acid (SA) from the unilateral epididymis of experimental varicocele in adolescent rats, and to illuminate the effects of varicocele on unilateral epididymis epithelium. METHODS: Experimental left varicocele model of 16 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were established by partial ligation of left renal vein. The epididymis were collected for detecting the content of MDA, TAC and SA by using spectrophotometry. RESULTS: There was statistically significant differences in the contents of three substances between experimental varicocele and sham-operated groups. CONCLUSION: The content of MDA, TAC and SA will change and the sialic acid-secreting-function of unilateral epididymis will be injured because of varicocele.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Growth hormone enhances regeneration of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the aged rat penis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of growth hormone (GH) on the erectile function and the number of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) -containing nerve fibers in the penis of aged rats. METHODS: Twenty-four aged male SD rats (18 months) were randomized into 2 groups: GH intervention group and control group. After four and eight weeks, a half of each group were selected and tested for erectile function after apomorphine (APO) injection and then sacrificed for the detection of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the penis by streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated method (SP method). RESULTS: After four weeks, the erectile function and the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers showed no significant difference between the GH intervention group and the control group (P > 0.05). After eight weeks, the erection frequency was significantly different (P < 0.05) between the two groups, while the erection rate was not. The number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the GH intervention group was significantly larger than that in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GH enhances the regeneration of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the penis and improves the erectile function of the aged rat.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Effects of hypothermia on antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hypothermia on the antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of equal number: Group A (torsion) , Group B (torsion + hypothermia) and Group C (control). The animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, and underwent detorsion two hours later. Fourteen days later, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde(MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer and histological changes were observed by light microscope. RESULTS: The T-AOC of Group B was significantly greater than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but less than that of Group C (P < 0.01). The MDA level of Group B was lower than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but higher than that of Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypothermia can restrain the production of oxygen free radicals following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats, which in turn can inhibit lipid peroxidation and increase the survivability of the torsional testis.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction].

In the recent few years, especially since the introduction of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, most researchers have focused their researches on biochemistry and physiology of erectile function. New progress has been made made in basic and clinic researches on pharmacotherapy for ED. In this article, the putative molecular or cellular mechanism of actions of the available centrally and peripherally acting drugs are reviewed, providing details about the current and most explosive area of drug research and development in erectile dysfunction.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

[Changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats. METHODS: Spontaneously hypertensive male rats (SHR) (n = 15) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) (n = 15) were studied for 20 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly by the tail/cuff method. Erectile function was tested by injecting apomorphine (APO). The expression alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen III was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: SHR showed a higher systolic blood pressure (205.7 +/- 11.9 vs 114.3 +/- 10.2 mm Hg) and a lower erection frequency (0.6 +/- 0.5 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6). The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen III in the cavernous tissues in the SHR was significantly higher than in the WKY. CONCLUSION: The erectile function of the penis is markedly affected by hypertension, and the pathological changes may be one of the most important mechanisms of decreased erectile function in SHR.

Actins↗

PubMed2004

Expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 in penile tissue from rats with bilateral cavernosal nerve ablation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta1) in penile tissue from rats after bilateral cavernosal nerve (CN) ablation, mimicking patients who have had no nerve-sparing during prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten adult male rats (neurectomy group) had a bilateral CN resection aseptically under an operating microscope, with six sham-operated rats as controls. Fifteen weeks after surgery an apomorphine test was used in all rats to assess penile erection. The penile specimens were then collected and prepared for detecting the expression of TGF-beta1 by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry, and for quantitative analysis of the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibres in the corpus cavernosum with confocal microscopy. RESULTS: All rats in the sham-operated group but none after neurectomy had an erectile response after subcutaneous injection with apomorphine (100 micro g/kg). Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western blot analyses showed a significantly higher expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile tissues after neurectomy than after sham surgery. Smooth muscle cells (fluorescing red) and collagen fibres (green autofluorescence) after paraformaldehyde fixation, were clearly identified by confocal microscopy. The fluorescence intensity expressed as the mean (sem) ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibres in the corpus cavernosum after neurectomy was 0.265 (0.125), significantly lower than that in the sham-operated group, at 0.760 (0.196) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: An increased expression of TGF-beta1 in penile tissue which promotes the synthesis of collagen may be one of the important factors for the erectile dysfunction caused by bilateral CN ablation. Similar pathophysiological processes may occur in the corpus cavernosum of patients after radical prostatectomy.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Fibrosis of corpus cavernosum in animals following cavernous nerve ablation.

AIM: To investigate alterations of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum following cavernous neurectomy and its relation to the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). METHODS: Ten adult male SD rats (neurectomy group) were subject to a bilateral cavernous nerve (CN) resection aseptically under an operating microscope, with 6 sham-operated rats as the control. Fifteen weeks after the operation, the penile specimens were collected and prepared for quantitative-analyzing of ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum with confocal microscopy, and for detecting the expression of TGF-beta1 by RT-PCR and western-blot. RESULTS: Smooth muscle cells that show red color after fluorescent-labeling with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-phalloidin and collagen fibers that produce green autofluorescence after paraformaldehyde fixation were clearly identified under the confocal microscope. Quantification of fluorescent intensity showed that the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum in neurectomy group was 0.265 +/- 0.125, which was significantly lower than that in sham-operated group (0.760 +/- 0.196, P<0.01). RT-PCR and western-blot analyses revealed a significantly higher expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile tissues of the neurectomy animals than that in sham-operated group. CONCLUSION: Bilateral ablation of CN can lead to fibrosis of corpus cavernosum, which may be related to an increased expression of TGF-beta1 induced by hypoxia in cavernous tissue after denervation.

Actins↗

PubMed2003

[Germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental torsed/detorsed testes of the adult male rats. METHODS: Thirty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into torsion group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15) randomly. Animals were submitted to unilateral 720 testicular torsion, then detorsion were done in two hours. Three days later, the evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method. RESULTS: In the torsed testes, the apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01) while Bcl-2 expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pechytene spermatocytes and round spermatides. CONCLUSIONS: The germ cell apoptosis is highly associated with expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in experimental testicular torsion. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Effects of antihypertensive drugs on erectile function and number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of antihypertensive drugs on the erectile function and number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs). METHODS: Eighteen male SHRs of six-weeks old were randomized into three groups: Vilsartan intervention group, Aldactone intervention group and control group. Vilsartan [30 mg/(kg.d)] and Aldactone [20 mg/(kg.d)] were administered by gavage to respective groups. After twelve weeks treatment, all SHRs were tested for erectile function and then killed for the detection of nNOS-containing nerve fibers by Streptaridin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry techniques (SP method). RESULTS: The erection frequency in Vilsartan group was higher, compared with other two groups(P < 0.05), in which no significant difference was observed (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in erection rates among these three groups. The number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in two intervention groups was higher than the control group(P < 0.01), but no significant difference existed between these two groups(P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vilsartan improves erectile function in SHRs while Aldactone doesn't. The difference can't be explained by the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers, and it is probably related to the vascular reconstruction induced by angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[The effect of nitric oxide and total antioxide capacity on the germ cell apoptosis in the rat cryptorchid].

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxide capacity (T-AOC) on the germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchidism rat. METHODS: Immature rats (22 day-olds Sprague Dawley) were selected to make the model of unilateral cryptorchid. Germ cell apoptosis was examined by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Biochemical parameters (NO, T-AOC) were evaluated with spectrophotometric determination. RESULTS: At the seventh day after the operation, as compared to the normal side testis, the number of apoptotic germ cells increased significantly in the undescended testis (P < 0.01), but the testes weight decreased predominantly; the NO level in the undescended testis was significantly higher than that in the normal side testis, and the T-AOC level was predominantly lower (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Experimentally-induced cryptorchidism can lead to the increase of grem cell apoptosis in rat. The results is closely related to the increase of No level and the decrease of T-AOC.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[Expression of FasL in rat cryptorchidism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of FasL in rat cryptorchidism and its significance. METHODS: Twenty-four male SD rats (22-day old) were randomly divided into two groups: unilateral cryptorchid group (n = 12) and pseudo-operation group (n = 12). When the rats were 110-day old, blood samples were taken and the rats were killed for analysis. Immunohistochemical method (SP) was used to detect FasL expression in testes and ELISA method to detect serum antisperm antibody (AsAb). RESULTS: The positive FasL expression rates in cryptorchid and contralateral testes were significantly higher than those in pseudo-operation group (P < 0.001). The serum AsAb positive rates in the cryptorchid group and the pseudo-operation group were 41.7% and 0, respectively, with significant difference(P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: FasL expression upregulating in both testes of the unilateral cryptorchid rat may be a protective response of the testis to autoimmunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

[The change and implication of epididymis sialic acid following torsing/detorsing testes in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change and implication of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 2- or 4-hour torsing/detorsing of testes in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion for 2 and 4 hours and then repaired. The ischemic epididymides were collected for detecting the content of sialic acid by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the content of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 2-hour torsing/detorsing of testes and that of the sham group, while significant difference was found between the content of epididymis sialic acid after 24 hours following 4-hours torsing/detorsing of testes and that of sham group. CONCLUSIONS: Sialic acidsecreting-function of epididymis can remain normal after one day following 2-hour torsing/detorsing of testes, and be injured after one day following 4-hour torsing/detorsing of testes. The epididymis remains resistant to ischemic damage during testicular ischemia.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[Advances in etiology of diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction].

Diabetes mellitus is a well documented risk factor for erectile dysfunction. Significant pathological changes observed in the cavernous tissues of ED patient with diabetes include generation of endothelial and smooth muscle cell, increase in thickness of collangen bundles, changes in vascular and neurotransmitters.

Diabetes Complications↗

PubMed2002

[The rat model of erectile dysfunction caused by cavernous nerve injury].

OBJECTIVES: To identify rat cavernous nerve and establish a rat model of erectile dysfunction (ED) caused by injury of cavernous nerve. METHODS: Twenty rats were undergone dissections. Cavernous nerves were identified with the aid of operating microscope and confirmed by electrical stimulation. Then, 42 experimental rats were randomized into 3 groups, including sham operated controls, unilateral and bilateral cavernous nerve ablation groups. Three weeks after surgery, rat models were evaluated with Apomorphine Test. RESULTS: The major pelvic ganglion lies on either side of the dorsolateral lobes of the prostate. It includes 2 inflows, one called hypogastric nerve and another is pelvic nerve. The largest outflow is termed as cavernous nerve. Stimulus parameters which could induce obvious penile erection were 5 volts, frequency of 20 Hertz and duration of 5 milliseconds. Three weeks after surgery, apomorphine could induce penile erection of each rat in controls with mean (2.57 +/- 1.40) erections in 30 minutes, while there were no erections (0.00 +/- 0.00) either in unilateral or bilateral group. CONCLUSIONS: The rat of larger ganglion and its cavernous nerve can be easily identified, obvious response to electrical stimulation, low cost of animal purchase, easy housing and availability made rat as an ideal animal for establishing ED model caused by cavernous nerve injury. In addition, our study showed in the early period of cavernous nerve injury, either unilateral or bilateral, all rats lost their erectile function.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

[The nNOS-containing nerve fibers changes in corpus cavernosum of diabetic rat].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of diabetes mellitus on nNOS-containing nerve fibers in rats corpus cavernosum. METHODS: Healthy male Sprague-Deuley rats (n = 34) were divided into two groups randomly, the sixth (n = 17) and eighth groups (n = 17). Eleven of severteen rats wree intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce experimented model of diabetes medilus in each group. The other were injected with citrate buffer as control. Injected with apmorphine at sixth and eight week, penile erection in diabetic and control groups were observed and noted. The expression of nNOS-positive containing nerver-fibers in corpous cavernosum were examined with streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry (SP method). RESULTS: The erection rate of penile diabetic mellitus decreased compared to that in controls (P < 0.01). The erection rate of two diabetic groups were 37.5% and 14.3%, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.05). The controls were all 100%. The significant changes of nNOS-containing never fibers were observed in the two diabetic groups. The numbers of nNOS-containing nerver fibers in the corpus cavernosum in the two diabetic groups were (37.00 +/- 6.76) and (28.00 +/- 5.29), respectively, with significant difference compared to each other (P < 0.05). In the two controls, the fibers were (83.00 +/- 3.22) and (81.00 +/- 3.61), respectively. The fibers in diabetic groups were less than those in controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The erectile function of rats and the number of nNOS-positive containing nerve fibers is affected seriously by diabetes mellitus and it is positively correlated to the duration of diabetes mellitus. The decreasing of nNOS-positive containing nerve fibers may be one of the mechanisms of diabetic erectile dysfunction.

Animals↗