Abstract
Analysis of androgen secretion and sperm production was conducted in the testis to investigate the efficacy of moxibustion on testicular function in aging rats. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into the aging group (N = 8), the mild-warm moxibustion group (N = 8), and the youth control group (N = 8). Rats in the mild-warm moxibustion group (MWMG) were exposed to mild-warm moxibustion at the Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) acupuncture points daily, from the age of 12 months until the age of 24 months. After the intervention, testicular tissue was harvested from all rats across groups. Changes in testicular structure were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Detection of the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was performed by the TUNEL assay. Testosterone level in the testis was analyzed by the ELISA assay, and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and androgen receptor (AR) in the testis was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. AR expression analysis was subsequently performed by the western blotting assay, and the detection of telomerase activity of the testis and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and AR mRNA were performed by real-time PCR. Compared with the youth controls, telomerase activity in the testis, testosterone levels, expression of AR, and expression of antiapoptosis factor Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the aging group. Spermatogenic cell apoptosis (P < 0.01) and proapoptotic factor Bax expression were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the aging rats compared with the youth control group. The MWMG exhibited significant increases in testicular telomerase activity, testosterone level, AR expression, and antiapoptosis factor Bcl-2 expression (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) compared with the aging group. In this experimental group, spermatogenic apoptosis was inhibited (P < 0.01) and proapoptotic factor Bax expression significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Mild-warm moxibustion can inhibit reproductive senescence by improving telomerase activity, improving AR expression, restoring testosterone, and inhibiting spermatogenic apoptosis via regulation of Bcl-2/Bax.
Highlights
Speaking, senescence refers to the gradual decline of physical fitness and is linked to the increased risk of illness and death
Chinese medicine since time immemorial. “ e Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine,” an ancient treatise on health and disease believed to have been authored by the Chinese emperor Huangdi c. 2600 BC, describes that the senescence of a biological organism is based on reproductive senescence. is theory has been largely corroborated by modern research indicating that testicular degeneration is closely related to the senescence of biological organism and may be used as an indicator of overall senescence [4]
Is study aimed to investigate the efficacy of moxibustion on testicular function in aging rats. is efficacy was analyzed from the perspectives of androgen secretion and sperm production in the testis, which may be correlated to the alteration of testicular structure, changes in telomerase activity and androgen receptor (AR) expression, as well as apoptosis. e results of this study indicate that moxibustion can increase T levels, improve testicular structural damage caused by aging, enhance telomerase activity and AR expression, and inhibit the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, highlighting an alternative strategy for improving testicular function
Summary
Senescence refers to the gradual decline of physical fitness and is linked to the increased risk of illness and death. Is theory has been largely corroborated by modern research indicating that testicular degeneration is closely related to the senescence of biological organism and may be used as an indicator of overall senescence [4]. The biological effects of moxibustion have been evidenced by genetic analysis by the researchers which have identified its role in key processes such as translation and transport of key mRNAs in aging rats [8]. Moxibustion has exhibited antiaging effects, protection of neuronal structure, and reduction in the rate of neural degeneration [9]. This team has studied the effects of moxibustion on ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in aging rats, elucidating a mechanism for improving perimenopausal syndrome in female rats by [10]. Few studies have addressed whether moxibustion can improve testicular function and its underlying mechanisms
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