ABSTRACT
Objective: To explore the effects and related mechanism of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus clomifene citrate capsules for infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 70 patients were randomized into a control group and an observation group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. The control group was treated with clomifene citrate capsules, while the observation group was treated with heat-sensitive moxibustion on the basis of the medications in the control group. The treatment course lasted for 6 menstrual cycles. The endometrial thickness and ovarian volume of the patients were measured before and after treatment. The levels of serum sex hormones, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were detected. Follow-up was performed for 1 year after treatment, and the pregnancy rate was recorded. Results: After treatment, the endometrium of the patients in both groups was significantly thickened, the ovarian volume was significantly reduced, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The endometrium thickness and ovarian volume in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (both P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum testostrn (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in both groups decreased significantly, the level of estradiol (E2) increased obviously, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of serum T and LH in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the E2 level in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum TNF-α and NF-κB of the patients in both groups decreased, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of serum TNF-α and NF-κB in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (both P<0.05). After 1-year follow-up, the pregnancy rate was 20.0％ in the control group, versus 51.5％ in the observation group. The pregnancy rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The treatment of heat-sensitive moxibustion plus clomifene citrate capsules can increase the endometrium thickness, reduce the ovarian volume, improve the status of serum sex hormone disorders, and increase the conception rate in patients with infertility due to PCOS, which may be related to the adjustment of the levels of immune inflammatory factors such as serum TNF-α and NF-κB.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Nerve growth factor (NGF) is well-known for its important role in the development and maintenance of the nervous system. Along with its neurotrophic role, NGF has been detected in the testis of mouse, rat and human, suggesting an additional non-neurotrophic effect in the male reproductive system. The expression of β-NGF in the undescended testes (cryptorchidism) has not been detected at present. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of β-nerve growth factor mRNA and protein in experimental cryptorchidism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A unilateral mechanical cryptorchidism model in the Sprague-Dawley rat was established and the expression of β-NGF with histologic changes in experimental cryptorchidism were investigated using one step quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization histochemistry, immunofluorescence and hematoxylin-eosin staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of β-NGF mRNA and protein were both significantly decreased in the development of unmarred testis and cryptorchidism-induced testis, and the decrease of β-NGF in cryptorchidism-induced testis was far greater than that in uninjured testis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>From this investigation, we confirmed a lower expression of β-NGF in undescended testes than in the development of testis.</p>