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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Qiangjing tablets repair of blood-testis barrier dysfunction in rats via regulating oxidative stress and p38 MAPK pathway

Authors: Junjun Li, Yaodong You, Peihai Zhang, Xiaopeng Huang, Liang Dong, Fang Yang, Xujun Yu, Degui Chang

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is a physical barrier of the testis to prevent various exogenous substrates from entering apical compartments and provides immune privilege for spermatogenesis, which is essential for normal spermatogenic function of testis. It has been shown that oxidative stress can damage BTB by activating the p38 MAPK pathway. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qiangjing tablets (QJT) improve spermatogenesis and increase pregnancy rates. Previous studies have confirmed that QJT can improve sperm quality and have obvious antioxidant effects. In this study, we explore whether QJT contributes to recovery from BTB dysfunction in rats.

Methods

BTB dysfunction was induced in rats by 1% Cyclophosphamide (CP). The CP-induced rats in the treatment group were given a dose of QJT (0.45 g/kg·d) by gavage. Testis tissues were collected for histopathological and biochemical analysis, and the testis weight was estimated. Levels of BTB-related proteins and antioxidant enzyme were analyzed in the testis tissues.

Results

QJT resolved the pathological injury of rats testis induced by CP. Furthermore, MDA levels were significantly reduced, and the levels of SOD markedly increased in the testicular tissue after QJT treatment. In addition, QJT down-regulated the expression of p38 protein in rat testis and up-regulated the expressions of key proteins ZO-1, occludin and F-actin in BTB.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that QJT exerts protective effects on CP-induced rats with BTB dysfunction, likely by regulating the oxidative stress-mediated p38 MAPK pathway.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Qiangjing tablets repair of blood-testis barrier dysfunction in rats via regulating oxidative stress and p38 MAPK pathway
Authors
Junjun Li
Yaodong You
Peihai Zhang
Xiaopeng Huang
Liang Dong
Fang Yang
Xujun Yu
Degui Chang
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03615-z

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