Effects of Morinda officinalis Polysaccharide on Experimental Varicocele Rats

Figure 4

Changes in TJ protein expression, the level of cytokines, TGF-β3 and TNF-α, and the level of testosterone (T) in the left testicular tissue. (a) and (b) Western blot analysis shows that the expression of Occludin, Claudin-11, and ZO-1 in the varicocele model group was lower than that in the sham group. A significant increase in Occludin, Claudin-11, and ZO-1 expression is observed in the MOP administered animals compared to that in the varicocele model group. (c) qPCR results for Occludin, Claudin-11, and ZO-1 mRNA levels were similar to the western blot results. (d) ELISA shows that a decrease in T level in left testicular tissue is detected in the varicocele model group when compared to that in the sham group and each MOP administered group showed a higher T level compared to the varicocele model group. (e) An increase in the levels of TGF-β3 and TNF-α in the varicocele model group compared to the sham group and a decrease in each administered group compared to the model group were observed by ELISA. (f) TGF-β3 and TNF-α mRNA levels were measured by qPCR, the results were similar to the ELISA results. The data are presented as mean ± SD, bars indicate SD, , # compared to the model group (), and compared to the sham group ().

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