ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Yikunning (YKN, Chinese Traditional Medicine) on the expressions of bcl-2 and bax in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female Wistar rats during perimenopausal period were selected by unforced aging. Then the rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: YKN group, Livial control group and Aged control group. Ten young female Wistar rats were selected as young control group. Intragastric administrations were conducted for 4 weeks once daily continuously. The expressions of Bcl-2 Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.01). The Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate and protein rate in rat ovaries in YKN group were higher than those in Aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YKN could increase the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax mRNAs and proteins and up-regulate the Bcl-2/Bax mRNA rate, protein rate in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period, which might be one of the molecular mechanisms of YKN postponed the ovarian failure and cured perimenopausal syndrome.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Rats , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Ovary , Metabolism , Perimenopause , Physiology , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 , Genetics , Metabolism , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Metabolism , Rats, Wistar , Up-Regulation , bcl-2-Associated X Protein , Genetics , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Yikunning (compound of Chinese traditional Medicine, YKN) on the apoptotic rate and expression of caspase-3 in rat ovaries during perimenopausal period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty female Wistar rats during perimenopausal period were selected by unforced aging. Then the rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: YKN group, livial control group and aged control group. Ten young female rats were selected as young control group. Intragastric administrations were conducted for 4 weeks once daily continuously. The apoptotic rate in rat ovaries were detected by TUNEL. The expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The apoptotic rate in rat ovaries in YKN group was lower than that in aged control group, which showed difference between them (P < 0.01). The levels of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries in YKN group were lower than those in aged control group, which showed differences among them (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>YKN can decrease the apoptotic rate and down-regulate the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and protein in rat ovaries of during perimenopausal period. It may be one of the molecular mechanisms of YKN postponed the ovarian failure and cured perimenopausal syndrome.</p>