Effects of kidney tonic herbs on the levels of testosterone and thyroid hormone in serum of the salicylate model rats

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of kidney tonic herbs (KTH) to ameliorate salicylate-induced tinnitus. Methods Wistar rats were chronically treated with sai-icylate(SA) water. Then, they were divided into SA modeling group and treating group treated by KTH and carbamazepine respectively. The level of testosterone (T) and thyroid hormone (T3, T4) in serum were determined before and after treatment, comparing with the control group with SA-free drinking water. Results Compared with control group. SA modeling group had significantly decreased levels of T4 in serum, and KTH and carbamazepine groups showed significantly elevated levels of T4(P0. 05). Conclusion The regulating effect of kidney tonic herbs on the function of hypothalamus-hypophysis-thyriod and sexual gland axises may be one of the mechanisms to ameliorate salicylate-induced tinnitus.