Protective effect of panaxatriols on function of reproductive endocrine axis in radiation-injured rats

After whole body irradiation with X-ray 5 Gy (radiation condition: 0.31 Gy.min-1, 200 kV, 10 mA, 0.5 mm Cu and 1.0 mm Al), the male rats were given ip panaxatriols 5 mg.d-1 24 h before and after irradiation for 14 d. The results showed that hypothalamic leu-enkephalin (165 +/- 12 vs 131 +/- 14 pg.mg-1), pituitary beta-endorphin (2.3 +/- 0.5 vs 1.6 +/- 0.3 ng.mg-1) contents, and serum testosterone (1.66 +/- 0.15 vs 0.82 +/- 0.23 ng.ml-1) level were decreased, while serum FSH (1.34 +/- 0.10 vs 1.99 +/- 0.10 ng.ml-1) level increased in irradiation group vs normal control. These indices approached to control levels in irradiation + panaxatriols group. These suggest that panaxatriols have protective effects on reproductive endocrine axis and promote their recovering course from the radiation injuries.