[Experimental study on Qiangjing decoction modulating the expression of testis/epididymis-specific LncRNAs (Dmr/Mrhl/Tsx/HongrES2) and its regulatory mechanisms in oligoasthenospermic rats].

Authors

Bin Bin, Haiwang Lu, Desheng Wang, Siwei Lin, Jie Wang, Yanmei Lan, Qing Pei, Zhilin Han

Published in

Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology. Volume 32. Issue 6. Pages 521-528.

Abstract

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of Qiangjing decoction (QJD) in oligoasthenospermia model rats by regulating the expression of testis-specific long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) Dmr, Mrhl, Tsx, and epididymis-specific HongrES2. MethodsSixty sexually mature male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the Shengjing capsule group and the QJD group, with 15 rats in each group. Rat models of oligoasthenospermia were induced by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (CTX). After successful modeling, the normal group received no intervention, the model group was given normal saline, and the QJD group and the Shengjing capsule group were administered the corresponding drugs for 38 consecutive days, sperm quality parameters were evaluated. Spermatogenic function was assessed by the method of testicular histomorphology. The mRNA expression levels of lncRNAs (Dmr, Mrhl, Tsx, HongrES2) and related genes (Sox8, Utf1, Wnt-2b, β-catenin, Gsk-3β, p68, Stra8) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, while corresponding protein expression was analyzed by Western blot. Results In the normal group, the testicular tissue exhibited intact and regularly arranged seminiferous epithelium with active spermatogenesis. In the model group, the seminiferous epithelium showed partial detachment and disorganized arrangement, accompanied by a marked reduction in spermatozoa. In contrast, both the QJD group and the Shengjing capsule group displayed more layers of spermatogenic cells with relatively orderly arrangement, and abundant spermatozoa were observed. Sperm concentration and motility in the epididymis were markedly elevated following QJD treatment. Gene expression analysis revealed significant downregulation of Dmr, HongrES2, GSK-3β, and CES7 in the model group versus normal controls (P<0.05), while Tsx showed a non-significant decreasing trend. No significant differences were observed in Mrhl, Wnt-2b, β-catenin or Sox8 gene expression. QJD intervention significantly upregulated the expression of Dmr, HongrES2, GSK-3β, Tsx, CES7, and Wnt-2b. Protein expression of STRA8, SOX8, P68, UTF1, WNT-2b, β-CATENIN, GSK-3β and CES7 was significantly reduced in the model group but restored after QJD and Shengjing capsule treatment. Conclusion QJD may ameliorate oligoasthenospermia by upregulating testis-specific LncRNAs (Dmr, Mrhl, Tsx) and epididymis-specific HongrES2, thereby activating the Wnt-2b/β-catenin signaling pathway. This mechanism promotes spermatogonial proliferation and meiosis, while modulating key proteins (UTF1, CES7) crucial for spermatogenesis and maturation, ultimately improving sperm production and motility of rats with oligoasthenospermia.

PMID:
43012205
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Nov 2026.

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