Effects of sericine on proliferation and related factors of germ cells in testis of type 2 diabetic rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of sericine on proliferation and related factors of germ cells in testis of type 2 diabetic rats by studying the changes of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)and proto-oncogene c-fos expression in testis. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups(n =10):normal control group,diabees model group,diabetic group with sericine treatment,and positive control group. The diabetes model was made by continuous intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin into rats. After the diabetes animal model was successfully established,the rats in sericine treatment and positive control groups were respectively lavaged with sericine (2.4g·kg-1·d-1)and metformin (55.33 mg·kg-1·d-1)for 35 days. ELISA was used to detect the serum testosterone level. RT-PCR and SP immunostaining were employed to examine the expression of PCNA and c-fos in testis. Results The serum testosterone level,the PCNA and c-fos expression in testis of diabetic rats were obviously lower than normal control rats (P 0.01). These indicators were significantly higher in sericine treatment group and positive control group than diabetes model rats (P 0.01,P 0.05). However,there was no obvious differences between sericine treatment and positive control group (P 0.05). Conclusion Sericine can improve the spermatogenic functions and male hormone secretion by up-regulating PCNA and c-fos expression in testis so as to have protective effects on diabetes reproductive disfunction.