Yiqi Jiedu decoction attenuates radiation injury of spermatogenic cells via suppressing IκBα/NF-κB pathway-induced excessive autophagy and apoptosis

The prescription of Yiqi Jiedu decoction (YQJD) originated from the classic Chinese herbal prescriptions of Danggui Buxue Decoction and Wuzi Yanzong Pill. A previous study has shown that 4 Gy irradiation induced the apoptosis of spermatocytes and revealed autophagosomes in cells exposed to radiation. YQJD decoction has the effect of preventing radiation injury.We used spermatocytes (GC-2spd cell line) to investigate the relationship between autophagy and apoptosis of spermatogenic cells after radiation, and the mechanisms of YQJD decoction.Establish an in vitro radiation injury model by irradiating GC-2spd cells with 60Co γ-rays (4 Gy or 8 Gy). Autophagy agonists, autophagy inhibitors and YQJD were used to intervene cells. Cell apoptosis and inflammatory factors were measured. NF-κB localization was observed by immunofluorescence. Autophagy and apoptosis-related proteins and IκBα/NF-κB pathway factors were detected.Ionizing radiation promoted the growth of spermatogenic autophagosomes. After radiation, NF-κB was translocated to the nucleus, inflammatory factors were secreted, and IκBα/NF-κB pathway was activated, which promoted autophagy and apoptosis. YQJD decoction can inhibit the phosphorylation of IκBα/NF-κB pathway related factors, regulate the expression of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 proteins, and inhibit the occurrence of autophagy and apoptosis of irradiated spermatocyte.The research results indicate that ionizing radiation can activate the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway in spermatocytes, promote cell autophagy and apoptosis by regulating the expression of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 factors. The YQJD decoction inhibits the IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway so as to regulate Beclin-1 and Bcl-2.