[Effects of herbs for replenishing yin to tonify kidney on testicular ultrastructural changes in rats with glucocorticoid-induced kidney deficiency].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of herbs for replenishing yin to tonify kidney on testicular ultrastructural changes in rats with glucocorticoid-induced kidney deficiency.


METHODS
Thirty rats were randomized into three groups: normal control group, untreated group and Erdi Biejia Decoction (EDBJD)-treated group. Kidney deficiency rat model was induced by glucocorticoid. Testicular structure and ultrastructure were observed under the light microscope and the transmission electron microscope.


RESULTS
The light microscope revealed the decreased thickness of seminiferous epithelium layer, reduced number of spermatogenic cells, interstitial tissue edema, and a qualitative reduction in the number of interstitial cells and hematoxylin-eosin stained cytoplasm in the untreated group. The transmission electron microscope revealed loose structure of seminiferous epithelium, degenerative mitochondria, and increased amounts of lysosome, presence of numerous cytoplasmic vacuolation and chromatin in interstitial cell cytoplasm in the untreated group. The aggregates of heterochromatin around the nuclear membrane and the shrinkage of nucleus were also observed. Compared to the untreated group, these pathological changes were inconspicuous in EDBJD-treated group.


CONCLUSIONS
EDBJD as replenishing yin to tonify kidney herbs can suppress glucocorticoid induced pathological changes in the testes of rats.
Ying
Jian
J
Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China. yingjian37@hotmail.com
Chen
Hai-Yong
HY
Xu
Fu-Song
FS
D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000633:toxicity; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016710:Yin Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005938:Glucocorticoids; C527176:erdi biejia; D006854:Hydrocortisone