Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in DIED rats via PKC signalling pathway-related molecules
Research article published in Journal of ethnopharmacology (2020)
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Leeches (pinyin name Shui Zhi; Latin scientific name Hirudo; Hirudinea; Hirudinidae) and centipedes (pinyin name Wu Gong; Latin scientific name Scolopendridae; Chilopoda; Scolopendridae) are traditional Chinese medicines, and they belong to the family entomology. A combination of leech and centipede is used as an effective medicine to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis in traditional Chinese medicine, and "leech-centipede" medicine has been used in many prescriptions to treat diabetic vascular disease, including diabetic erectile dysfunction (DIED). However, its specific mechanism remains unclear and requires in-depth study. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of "leech-centipede" medicine to improve erectile dysfunction-associated diabetes by detecting PKC pathway-related molecules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active ingredients of "leech-centipede" medicine were identified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fifty male SPF rats were injected with streptozotocin to induce the DM model. Eight weeks later, the DMED model was validated with apomorphine. The DIED rats were divided into five groups-T,P,DD,DZ, and DG-and were separately treated with tadalafil, pathway inhibitor LY333531 and low-, medium-, and high-dose "leech-centipede" medicine for 8 weeks. After treatment, the blood glucose level was measured, erectile function with apomorphine was assessed, the LOX-1, sE-selectin, sICAM-1, SOD, and MDA in serum was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and flow cytometry was performed. After the collection of penile tissue, the related protein and mRNA expression was assessed by Western blotting and PCR, and the tissue and ultrastructure were analysed by HE staining, immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: After treatment, the erectile function of rats was significantly improved in the T,P,DD,DZ, and DG groups compared with that in the model group. Thus, "leech-centipede" medicine can significantly reduce the levels of LOX-1, sE-selectin, sICAM-1, EMPs and CD62P to protect vascular endothelial function and anti-platelet activation, improving DIED rat erectile function. Additionally, "leech-centipede" medicine can increase SOD expression and decrease MDA expression, reducing the possibility of oxidative stress injury in DIED rats and improving the antioxidant capacity. Moreover, "leech-centipede" therapy can dramatically reduce the protein and mRNA expression of DAG, PKCβ, NF-κB, and ICAM-1, improve vascular endothelial injury in DIED rats and inhibit abnormal platelet activation. CONCLUSION: "leech-centipede" medicine can improve erectile dysfunction by inhibiting the expression of PKC pathway-related molecules in DIED rats and protects endothelial function and anti-platelet activation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Резюме
Leeches and centipedes are traditional Chinese medicines.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
Данное доклиническое исследование изучило механизм, посредством которого лекарство «пиявка-сороконожка» — средство традиционной китайской медицины, сочетающее пиявку (Hirudo) и сороконожку (Scolopendridae) — улучшает эректильную дисфункцию у крыс с диабетической эректильной дисфункцией, индуцированной стрептозотоцином (DIED). С использованием ВЭЖХ, ИФА, вестерн-блоттинга, ПЦР и гистологического анализа было установлено, что лечение пиявкой-сороконожкой значительно улучшило эректильную функцию, снизило маркеры повреждения сосудистого эндотелия (LOX-1, sE-selectin, sICAM-1), ингибировало активацию тромбоцитов (EMPs, CD62P), увеличило антиоксидантную емкость (SOD↑, MDA↓) и подавило молекулы пути PKC (DAG, PKCβ, NF-κB, ICAM-1). Это имеет прямое отношение к сфере ASH, поскольку исследуются терапевтические эффекты материала пиявочного происхождения. Однако применимы важные оговорки: это исследование на животных (крысы) с использованием комбинированного препарата пиявки и сороконожки в составе традиционной китайской медицины, а не изолированных компонентов секрета пиявок или живой гирудотерапии; полученные результаты не могут быть напрямую экстраполированы на человека.
Цитирование
Effect of leech-centipede medicine on improving erectile function in DIED rats via PKC signalling pathway-related molecules
Wang JS · Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2020
Связанный клинический контекст
Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой
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