The Effect of Tripterygium wilfordii on Epididymal Function in male Psoriasis Patients

To evaluate the effect of multiglycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW)on epididymal function,we studiedthe seminal carnitine and fructose levels in 18 males taking the drug for the treatment of psoriasis.The results indicated that the seminal carnitine levels were significantly lowered 3 and 6 months after medica-tion.In the meantime,the ejaculated sperm dropped to the level of infertility.The seminal carnitine levels wererecovered 3 months after withdrawal of the drug.The seminal fructose levels did not change significantly.We conc-luded that interference in the epididymal function may be one of the important mechanisms of action of GTW.