Abstract Context The Chinese herbal formula Heshouwu decoction (Heshouwuyin) has protective effects on testicular function in aging male rats, but the mechanism is unknown. Objective This study investigated whether Heshouwuyin affects the testicular function of aging rats by regulating the insulin/IGF signalling pathway. Materials and methods Sixteen-month-old male Wistar rats in the Heshouwuyin group and the natural-aging group were orally administered Heshouwuyin granules (0.056 g/kg) or equivalent normal saline for 60 d. The testicular tissue of 12-month-old male Wistar rats was removed as a young control group (n = 10). The testicular tissue and spermatogenic cells were studied. Results The immunofluorescence results revealed that the insulin receptor (INSR)- (0.056 ± 0.00548), insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1)- (0.251 ± 0.031), IRS2 (0.230 ± 0.019)- and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)-positive cell rate (0.33 ± 0.04) in the aging group was higher than that in the young control group (0.116 ± 0.011, 0.401 ± 0.0256, 0.427 ± 0.031, 0.56 ± 0.031; p < 0.01), and the IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3)-positive cell rate (0.42 ± 0.024) was lower than that (0.06 ± 0.027) in the young group (p < 0.01). The intervention of Heshouwuyin reversed the above phenomena. The qPCR and immunoblot results were consistent with those of the immunofluorescence. The same results were obtained in spermatogenic cells. Conclusions Our research shows that Heshouwuyin can regulate the insulin/IGF signalling pathway to improve testicular function, and provides an experimental basis for further clinical use.

中文翻译：

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和首乌饮对大鼠睾丸和生精细胞胰岛素/IGF信号通路基因表达的影响

摘要 背景 中草药合首乌汤（合首乌饮）对衰老雄性大鼠睾丸功能有保护作用，但机制尚不清楚。目的本研究探讨何首乌饮是否通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路影响衰老大鼠的睾丸功能。材料与方法 和首乌饮组和自然衰老组16月龄雄性Wistar大鼠口服和首乌饮颗粒（0.056 g/kg）或等效生理盐水60 d。取出 12 个月大的雄性 Wistar 大鼠的睾丸组织作为年轻对照组（n = 10）。研究了睾丸组织和生精细胞。结果免疫荧光结果显示胰岛素受体（INSR）-（0.056±0.00548）、胰岛素受体底物1（IRS1）-（0.251±0.031）、IRS2（0. 230 ± 0.019)- 和胰岛素样生长因子 1 (IGF1) 阳性细胞率 (0.33 ± 0.04) 衰老组高于年轻对照组 (0.116 ± 0.011, 0.401 ± 0.0256, 0.427, ± 0.031) 0.56 ± 0.031；p < 0.01)，IGF 结合蛋白 3 (IGFBP3) 阳性细胞率 (0.42 ± 0.024) 低于年轻组的 (0.06 ± 0.027) (p < 0.01)。何首乌因的介入，扭转了上述现象。qPCR 和免疫印迹结果与免疫荧光结果一致。在生精细胞中获得了相同的结果。结论我们的研究表明，和首乌饮可以通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路改善睾丸功能，为进一步临床应用提供实验依据。04）老化组高于年轻对照组（0.116±0.011、0.401±0.0256、0.427±0.031、0.56±0.031；p<0.01），IGF结合蛋白3（IGFBP3）阳性率 (0.42 ± 0.024) 低于年轻组 (0.06 ± 0.027) (p < 0.01)。何首乌因的介入，扭转了上述现象。qPCR 和免疫印迹结果与免疫荧光结果一致。在生精细胞中获得了相同的结果。结论我们的研究表明，和首乌饮可以通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路改善睾丸功能，为进一步临床应用提供实验依据。04）老化组高于年轻对照组（0.116±0.011、0.401±0.0256、0.427±0.031、0.56±0.031；p<0.01），IGF结合蛋白3（IGFBP3）阳性率 (0.42 ± 0.024) 低于年轻组 (0.06 ± 0.027) (p < 0.01)。何首乌因的介入，扭转了上述现象。qPCR 和免疫印迹结果与免疫荧光结果一致。在生精细胞中获得了相同的结果。结论我们的研究表明，和首乌饮可以通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路改善睾丸功能，为进一步临床应用提供实验依据。IGF结合蛋白3（IGFBP3）阳性细胞率（0.42±0.024）低于年轻组（0.06±0.027）（p<0.01）。何首乌因的介入，扭转了上述现象。qPCR 和免疫印迹结果与免疫荧光结果一致。在生精细胞中获得了相同的结果。结论我们的研究表明，和首乌饮可以通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路改善睾丸功能，为进一步临床应用提供实验依据。IGF结合蛋白3（IGFBP3）阳性细胞率（0.42±0.024）低于年轻组（0.06±0.027）（p<0.01）。何首乌因的介入，扭转了上述现象。qPCR 和免疫印迹结果与免疫荧光结果一致。在生精细胞中获得了相同的结果。结论我们的研究表明，和首乌饮可以通过调节胰岛素/IGF信号通路改善睾丸功能，为进一步临床应用提供实验依据。