ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to explore the effect and mechanism of Bushen Huoxue recipe (BHR) on ovarian reserve in mice with premature ovarian failure (POF). Mice were divided into 3 groups: normal group, model group and BHR group. Intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide was performed to create the POF model. Primordial follicular (PDF) number, ovarian wet weight, ovarian index, and estrous cycle were analyzed to evaluate the effect of BHR on POF. Meanwhile, the mRNA and protein level of Mouse Vasa Homologue (MVH) in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and ovary were detected, to explore the underlying mechanism of the treatment efficacy of BHR on ovarian reserve. By the time of BHR treatment for 28 days, BHR increased the PDF number and shortened the estrous cycle of POF mice. BHR also decreased the mRNA level of MVH in the bone marrow, and increased mRNA and protein level of MVH in the ovary of POF mice. Our results demonstrated a treatment efficacy of BHR on POF mice, and revealed that BHR might repair the dysfunction of germline stem cells in the bone marrow, and thus to improve the ovarian reserve and enhance the ovarian function of POF mice through neo-oogenesis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Mice , Bone Marrow , Metabolism , Cyclophosphamide , Toxicity , Disease Models, Animal , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Estrous Cycle , Gene Expression Regulation , Ovarian Follicle , Ovarian Reserve , Primary Ovarian Insufficiency , Drug Therapy , PathologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Guishen Pill (GSP) on expression levels of Oct-4, MVH, and Egr-1 in mice with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 40 female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal control group, the model group, the GSP group, and the dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) group, 10 in each group. Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) were sequentially administrated to produce superovulation. The DOR model was established by exposing to ozone inhalation. Mice in the GSP group were intragastrically administered with GSP at 0.3 mL. Those in the DHEA group were intragastrically administered with DHEA at 0.3 mL. Equal volume of normal saline was intragastrically administered to mice in the normal control group and the model group. All mice wer treated for 21 days. Serum levels of estrogen (E2), progestogen (P), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were measured by ELISA. Changes of Oct-4, anti-AMH, and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) mRNA in ovaries were dtected by Real-time PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the model group, serum levels of E2, P, and AMH, as well as contents of estrogen receptor (ER), progestogen receptor (PR), MVH, and Oct-4 mRNA significantly increased in the GSP group and the DHEA group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GSP could improve expression levels of Oct-4, MVH, and Egr-1 mRNA in DOR mice and their ovarian function.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy , Anti-Mullerian Hormone , Metabolism , Dehydroepiandrosterone , Metabolism , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Early Growth Response Protein 1 , Metabolism , Estrogens , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Octamer Transcription Factor-3 , Metabolism , Ovarian Reserve , Ovary , Receptors, Estrogen , Metabolism , SuperovulationABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe (BSATR) and its two components (Bushen recipe, and Huoxue recipe) on endometrial morphology during peri-implantation in superovulated mice. Mice were randomly divided into five groups, including the normal (N), model (M), Bushen (BS), Huoxue (HX) and Bu-Shen-An-Tai (BH) groups. The uteri were collected on day 4 of pregnancy, and the endometrium thickness, microvessel density (MVD) and number of pinopodes observed. Compared with the M group, the endometrial thickness in the BS, HX and BH groups was significantly increased and there was a significant difference in endometrial thickness between the BS and the BH groups. The mean MVD was significantly lower in the M group than in the N group, and there was a significant increase in MVD in the BS, HX and BH groups as compared with the M group. Compared with the M group, the pinopode scores in the endometrium were significantly increased in the HX and BH groups; and the BS group had significantly higher pinipode scores than the HX and BH groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the recipes (Bushen, Huoxue and BSATR) could improve the endometrial environment by regulating the endometrial thickness, MVD and the number of pinopodes at the window of implantation. Moreover, the Huoxue recipe and the BSATR were more efficient than the Bushen recipe, with the BSATR tending to have the most beneficial effects.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy , Antigens, CD34 , Metabolism , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Embryo Implantation , Physiology , Endometrium , Physiology , Immunohistochemistry , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Microvessels , Metabolism , Physiology , Ovulation , Physiology , Random Allocation , Time FactorsABSTRACT
To observe the effect of acupuncture on CXCL8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) in rat endometrium experiencing embryo implantation failure, 72 pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (N), embryo implantation failure group (M), acupuncture treatment group (A), and progestin treatment group (W). Then the rats in each group were equally randomized into a day-6 (D6) group, a day-8 (D8) group, and a day-10 (D10) group. The rats in group M, group A, and group W were treated with mifepristone-sesame oil solution on day 1, while the rats in group N were injected with the same amount of sesame oil. Meanwhile, "Housanli" and "Sanyinjiao" were selected for acupuncture. From day 1 to the time of death, the rats in group A were fastened up and then acupuncture was administered while the rats in group N and group M were only fixed, and the rats in group W were given progestin. The number of implanted embryos was calculated. The expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 in rat endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time PCR. Compared to group N, the average number of implanted embryos, the protein and mRNA expression of CXCR1 (D6, D8 and D10), and the protein and mRNA expression of CXCR2 (D8 and D10) in rat endometrium were significantly decreased in group M. Compared to group M, there was significant elevation in the average number of implanted embryos, the protein expression (D6, D8 and D10) and mRNA expression (D8) of CXCR1 in rat endometrium of group A, and the protein expression (D8 and D10) and mRNA expression (D8) of CXCR2 in rat endometrium of group W. These findings indicated that acupuncture can increase the number of implanted embryos in rats of embryo implantation failure, which may be relevant with up-regulation the expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 at maternal-fetal interface of rats with embryo implantation failure.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Pregnancy , Rats , Acupuncture Therapy , Methods , Blotting, Western , Embryo Implantation , Genetics , Endometrium , Metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Hormone Antagonists , Pharmacology , Immunohistochemistry , Mifepristone , Pharmacology , Progestins , Pharmacology , Random Allocation , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Interleukin-8A , Genetics , Metabolism , Receptors, Interleukin-8B , Genetics , Metabolism , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe (BSATR) and its two components (Bushen recipe, and Huoxue recipe) on endometrial morphology during peri-implantation in superovulated mice. Mice were randomly divided into five groups, including the normal (N), model (M), Bushen (BS), Huoxue (HX) and Bu-Shen-An-Tai (BH) groups. The uteri were collected on day 4 of pregnancy, and the endometrium thickness, microvessel density (MVD) and number of pinopodes observed. Compared with the M group, the endometrial thickness in the BS, HX and BH groups was significantly increased and there was a significant difference in endometrial thickness between the BS and the BH groups. The mean MVD was significantly lower in the M group than in the N group, and there was a significant increase in MVD in the BS, HX and BH groups as compared with the M group. Compared with the M group, the pinopode scores in the endometrium were significantly increased in the HX and BH groups; and the BS group had significantly higher pinipode scores than the HX and BH groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the recipes (Bushen, Huoxue and BSATR) could improve the endometrial environment by regulating the endometrial thickness, MVD and the number of pinopodes at the window of implantation. Moreover, the Huoxue recipe and the BSATR were more efficient than the Bushen recipe, with the BSATR tending to have the most beneficial effects.
ABSTRACT
To observe the effect of acupuncture on CXCL8 receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) in rat endometrium experiencing embryo implantation failure, 72 pregnant rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (N), embryo implantation failure group (M), acupuncture treatment group (A), and progestin treatment group (W). Then the rats in each group were equally randomized into a day-6 (D6) group, a day-8 (D8) group, and a day-10 (D10) group. The rats in group M, group A, and group W were treated with mifepristone-sesame oil solution on day 1, while the rats in group N were injected with the same amount of sesame oil. Meanwhile, "Housanli" and "Sanyinjiao" were selected for acupuncture. From day 1 to the time of death, the rats in group A were fastened up and then acupuncture was administered while the rats in group N and group M were only fixed, and the rats in group W were given progestin. The number of implanted embryos was calculated. The expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 in rat endometrium was detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time PCR. Compared to group N, the average number of implanted embryos, the protein and mRNA expression of CXCR1 (D6, D8 and D10), and the protein and mRNA expression of CXCR2 (D8 and D10) in rat endometrium were significantly decreased in group M. Compared to group M, there was significant elevation in the average number of implanted embryos, the protein expression (D6, D8 and D10) and mRNA expression (D8) of CXCR1 in rat endometrium of group A, and the protein expression (D8 and D10) and mRNA expression (D8) of CXCR2 in rat endometrium of group W. These findings indicated that acupuncture can increase the number of implanted embryos in rats of embryo implantation failure, which may be relevant with up-regulation the expression of CXCR1 and CXCR2 at maternal-fetal interface of rats with embryo implantation failure.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the impact of De-qi (, obtaining qi) and psychological factors on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment for primary dysmenorrhea, with an attempt to explore the relationship among De-qi, psychological factors, and clinical efficacy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly assigned to a group of acupuncture with manual manipulation (manipulation group, n=67) and an acupuncture group without manipulation (non-manipulation group, n=64). Pain intensity and pain duration were used as measures for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of the acupuncture treatment. De-qi, the sensations a patient experienced during the acupuncture treatment, was scored on a 4-point scale by the subjects. In addition, the psychological factors, including belief in acupuncture, the level of nervousness, anxiety, and depression, were quantitatively assessed. The personality of the subject was assessed using the Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ) and 16 personality factor questionnaire (16PF).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Complete data were obtained from 120 patients, 60 patients in each group. There were statistically significant differences in pain intensity (W=2410.0, P<0.01) and pain duration (W=3181.0, P<0.01) between the two groups. The number of De-qi acupoints (W=1150.5, P<0.01) and the average intensity of De-qi (W=1141.0, P<0.01) were significantly higher in the manipulation group as compared with their non-manipulation counterparts. The correlation coefficients between De-qi and therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture were greater than those between psychological factors and therapeutic efficacy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with the psychological factors, De-qi contributed more to the pain-relieving effect of acupuncture in subjects with primary dysmenorrhea. Moreover, manual manipulation is a prerequisite for eliciting and enhancing the De-qi sensations, and De-qi is critical for achieving therapeutic effects.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Young Adult , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Methods , Dysmenorrhea , Psychology , Therapeutics , Needles , Pain Measurement , Personality Inventory , Surveys and Questionnaires , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relation between gap junction and meridian phenomenon.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints [see text for formula] and in their corresponding non-acupoints of the Bladder Meridian was observed with the needle-type tissue oxygen tension sensor in the gap junction blocking goats by 1-Heptanol injection and the Connexin 43 (Cx43) gene knockout mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of Bladder Meridian on goats was higher than that in non-acupoints after 1-Heptanol injection with significant differences between them (both P < 0.01). (2) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of Bladder Meridian on goats increased significantly after injecting 1-Heptanol as compare with that either injecting normal saline or injecting nothing with significant differences between them (all P < 0.01). (3) The oxygen partial pressure in acupoints of the Bladder Meridian was significantly higher than that in the non-acupoint controls in Cx43 wild type (WT) mice (all P < 0.01). In Cx43 heterozygote (HT) mice, the oxygen partial pressure between acupoints and non-acupoint controls showed no significant differences (all P > 0.05). (4) In acupoints, the oxygen partial pressure in Cx43 WT mice was significantly higher than that in Cx43 HT mice (all P < 0.05), while in the corresponding non-acupoints, this difference had no statistically significant (all P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gap junction maybe the essential factor in signal transduction of acupuncture.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Acupuncture Points , Connexin 43 , Genetics , Metabolism , Gap Junctions , Chemistry , Genetics , Metabolism , Goats , Meridians , Mice, Knockout , Models, Animal , Oxygen , Metabolism , Partial Pressure , Urinary Bladder , Chemistry , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects and mechanisms of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) and its different compositions, Bushen Recipe (BSR, the Shen-nourishing part) and Huoxue Recipe (HXR, the blood-activating part) on the endometrial receptivity in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction (BID).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Model mice of BID induced by indomethacin were treated respectively with BAR, BSR and HXR from the first day of pregnancy, and killed on day 5 or 6. Samples of their serum and uterine were collected for detecting serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) contents using radioimmunoassay; and endometrial expression levels of their receptors, ER and PR, using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum levels of E2 and P, and endometrial expression of ER and PR increased significantly on day 6 in mice after treated by BAR, but in those treated by BSR and HXR, the improvements were significantly lesser.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BAR, by combined application of both Shen-nourishing and blood-activating methods, could impact E2, P, ER and PR to improve the endometrial receptivity to a higher extent in BID mice so as to promote embryo implantation.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Embryo Implantation , Endometrium , Metabolism , Estradiol , Blood , Mice, Inbred Strains , Progesterone , Blood , Receptors, Estrogen , Metabolism , Receptors, Progesterone , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of acupuncture on the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation, and investigate its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The early pregnant female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an acupoint group and a non-acupoint group. The model rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation were established with Mifepristone. For acupuncture treatment, bilateral "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) were selected in the acupoint group, while the points around the acupoint were used in the non-acupoint group. In this experiment, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estrodiol (Es) and progesterone (P) in serum were tested with radioimmunity method, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovary was examined with immunohistochemical assay and Western-blot, and also, the mRNA expression of VEGF and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in ovary were detected with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of LH and P in serum, as well as the expression of VEGF, VEGF mRNA and LHR mRNA in ovary in the acupoint group were significantly higher than those in the model group and the non-acupoint group (P < 0.05), but there was no obvious difference from that of the normal control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncturing at "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) can increase the levels of LH and P in the serum, and up-regulate the expression of VEGF, VEGF mRNA and LHR mRNA in ovary, which may enhance the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation and improve its embryo implantation.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Pregnancy , Rats , Acupuncture Therapy , Corpus Luteum , Physiology , Embryo Implantation , Fertilization in Vitro , Gene Expression , Luteinizing Hormone , Blood , Progesterone , Blood , Random Allocation , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) on expression of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) and its nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor delta (PPARdelta) at implantation site in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant mice were divided into three groups randomly, the normal group, the model group and the BAR group. The pregnant uterus of all mice was cut off on the 4th (D4), 5th (D5), 6th (D6) and 8th (D8) day of pregnancy for determining the PGI2 expression with radio immunoassay; and the mRNA and protein expression of PPARdelta with RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry at implantation site.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PGI2 expression in the model group was obviously lower than that in the normal group (P < 0.01), and also lower than that in the BAR group (P < 0.01), while the index was insignificantly different between the normal and the BAR group. Compared with the normal group, the expression of PPARdelta in the model group was delayed temporally and spatially (P < 0.05), while that in the BAR group was not significantly different.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BAR can improve the implantation in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction through promoting the PGI2 expression and its nuclear receptor PPARdelta at implantation site.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Pregnancy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Embryo Implantation, Delayed , Endometrium , Metabolism , Epoprostenol , Immunohistochemistry , PPAR delta , Genetics , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Radioimmunoassay , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on endometrial P21 and PCNA expression of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The expression of P21 protein was analyzed by means of immunoblot and immunohistochemical method. The expression of PCNA protein was analyzed by means of immunohistochemical method.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The expression and disappearance of P21 and PCNA protein in endometrium of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice lagged behind in a temporal and cell specific manner. Bushenyiqihexue recipe could improve the expression of P21 and PCNA protein in a temporal and cell specific manner, and then improve the decidual reaction of endometrium of embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Improving the expression of P21 and PCNA protein in endometrium and eventually regulating endometrium decidual reaction is one of the mechanisms of improved embryo implantaion by Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 , Metabolism , Drug Combinations , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Embryo Implantation , Physiology , Endometrium , Metabolism , Immunoblotting , Immunohistochemistry , Plants, Medicinal , Chemistry , Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the influence of acupuncture on embryo implantation in rat model of embryo implantation dysfunction, and to primarily explore its possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant rats were randomly allocated into the control group, the model group and the acupuncture group. The pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were observed, the serum levels of estrodiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) were detected by RIA, and the protein and mRNA expression of progesterone receptor (PR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in endometrial tissue of implantation site were determined using immunohistochemical assay and RT-PCR respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were significantly higher in the acupuncture group than those in the control group respectively (P <0.01). The serum levels of P4 and PRL as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of PR and PRLR in the model group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can promote embryo implantation in rats to a certain degree, and its mechanism might be related with the effects of acupuncture in mediating the sexual hormone levels and the receptor expression of rats.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Pregnancy , Rats , Acupuncture Therapy , Embryo Implantation , Physiology , Embryonic Development , Physiology , Estradiol , Blood , Immunohistochemistry , Progesterone , Blood , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Metabolism , Radioimmunoassay , Random Allocation , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, Progesterone , Genetics , Receptors, Prolactin , Genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possible relationship between the analgesic effect of acupuncture and connexin 43.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Connexin 43 gene knock-out mice were divided into 4 groups: a wide type (WT) control group, a WT acupuncture group, a heterozygous (HT) control group and HT acupuncture group. Hot-plate test and writhing response induced by acetic acid were used for investigating the analgesic effect of acupuncture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference in the basic pain threshold value between HT and WT mice (P > 0.05). Acupuncture could significantly increase the pain threshold value, prolong the latency period of writhing body and decrease the number of writhing body as compared with pre-acupuncture in WT and HT mice (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The pain threshold, latency period of writhing and number of writhing body in HT mice were less than WT mice post-acupuncture (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Connexin 43 gene knock-out might partially inhibit the analgesic effect of acupuncture, suggesting that connexin 43 is possibly related with meridians and the effect of acupuncture.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Acupuncture Analgesia , Connexin 43 , Genetics , Physiology , Gap Junctions , Physiology , Pain ThresholdABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore effects of acupuncture on embryo implantation and development in the rat with dysfunctional embryo implantation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pregnant rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an acupuncture group. In the model group and the acupuncture group, the dysfunctional embryo implantation were developed by Mifepristone, and the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture for one consecutive week fro the first day of pregnancy. The pregnant rate, the average embryo implantation number, weight of the uterus, ovary and the size and weight of single embryo were compared among the 3 groups, and optical microscope was used for comparison of the morphological structures of the endometrium and ovary were compared among the 3 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the acupuncture group, the pregnant rate, the average embryo implantation number were more significantly increased as compared with the model group (P < 0.01); in the model group, the weight of the uterus and ovary were lighter than those in the control group and the acupuncture group, with poor development of the endometrium in the model group, but development of the endometrium in the acupuncture group was similar to that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can reverse Mifepristone's anti-implantation effect to a certain extent, and promote implantation and development of embryo in the rat.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Pregnancy , Rats , Acupuncture Therapy , Embryo Implantation , Embryonic Development , Mifepristone , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and explore the mechanism of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) on pregnancy rate and number of implantation site in blastocyst implantation dysfunction (BID) mice induced by indomethacin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnant mice were divided into 3 groups randomly: the normal group, the model group and the BAR group. Tap water was given orally to the rats in the normal and model groups, and BAR to the rats in the BAR group from the first day of pregnancy for 5 or 8 days; on the 3rd and 4th day dissolvent was injected subcutaneously twice per day in the normal group, while indomethacin (4.33 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously twice per day in the other two groups to establish implantation dysfunction model; serum estrogen (E) and progesterone (P4) levels were detected on the 5th and 8th day; the pregnancy rate and number of implanted site was observed and the receptors of E and P4 in endometrium of uterus were examined by immunohistochemistry on the 8th day.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pregnancy rate and number of implanted site was 27.3% and 5.3 +/- 0.7 respectively in the model group, significantly lower than those in the normal group (90.9%, 13.3 +/- 2.8), and the BAR group (72.7%, 10.7 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05). Serum E level was higher in the BAR group than that in the model group on the 5th and 8th day, and even higher than that in the normal group on the 8th day; serum P4 level was lower in the model and BAR groups than that in the normal group on the 5th day (P < 0.01), but higher in the BAR group than that in the model group on the 8th day. Immunohistochemical observation showed that expressions of E and P4 receptor increased remarkably in the BAR group than those in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BAR increases the pregnancy rate and number of implanted site of indomethacrne induced BID mice through regulating E and P4 levels and enhancing the expressions of their receptors in the endometrium.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Pregnancy , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Embryo Implantation , Embryo Implantation, Delayed , Estrogens , Blood , Indomethacin , Progesterone , Blood , Random AllocationABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the mechanism of puncturing at Sanyinjiao (SP6) on modulatory function of central nerve system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Positron emission tomography (PET) was performed, using 18F-FDG as contrast medium, in six healthy female volunteers before and after puncturing right SP6 to detect the cerebral districts with changed glucose metabolism, using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Glucose metabolism was increased in contralateral primary somatosensory cortex, primary somatic motor cortex, pre-supplementary motor cortex (BA8), and medial prefrontal cortex (BA10), bilateral supplementary motor cortex (BA6), anterior cingulate gyrus (BA24, BA32), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA9), while glucose metabolism was decreased in lingual gyrus (BA17,18), hippocampus and parahippocampal gyrus (BA28, BA35, BA30).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Functions of cerebral districts with changed glucose metabolism after puncturing SP6 was well parallels to the clinical effect of puncturing SP6, illustrating the brain plays a great role in the body regulation of acupuncture at SP6, which possibly was the central foundation of acupuncture therapy.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Points , Brain , Metabolism , Physiology , Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 , Glucose , Metabolism , Positron-Emission TomographyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study effect of acupuncture on pH values of acupoints and non-acupoints.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The pH values of acupoints and non-acupoints were determined with pH sense needles at the same time and separately in the goat.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The pH value of the acupoints and non-acupoints decreased when acupuncture was separately at acupoints and non-acupoints with the pH value of the acupoint decreased more significantly; (2) there was no significant difference in decreasing amplitudes of the pH values between the acupoint and non-acupoint when acupuncture was simultaneously given at acupoints and non-acupoints.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture can more significantly strengthen metabolism of acupoints; when acupuncture was simultaneously given at acupoints and non-acupoints, local metabolism is influenced each other.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , GoatsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the central modulating mechanism of acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>18F-FDG positron emission tomograph imaging of whole brain was performed in six patients with primary dysmenorrhea during two stimulation: pseudo acupuncture and real acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6). The areas of cerebral glycometabolism change were obtained by using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Meanwhile the pain intensity before and after pseudo-acupuncture and real acupuncture was assessed with 0-10 numerical pain intensity scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No differences in the values of pain before and after pseudo-acupuncture (P > 0.05). The value of pain after acupuncture was significantly lower than that before acupuncture (P < 0.01). Most of the activated brain areas were shared with the areas activated by pain as described in the literature. The brain areas of increasing glycometabolism were ipsilateral lentiformn nucleus (globus pallidus, putamen), cerebellum and insula, bilateral thalamus, ipsilateral paracentral lobule, bilateral amygdala, contralateral midbrain, bilateral second somatosensory cortex, ipsilateral hippocampus and anterior cingulate, contralateral mammillary body. The brain areas of decreasing glycometabolism were limited in small cerebral cortex.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) can relieve significantly the pain of the patient. Primary dysmenorrhea is cured mainly by activating the area involved in pain. It is indicated that acupuncture can relieve pain and balancing the pain-related central networks. Also neuroendocrine may play a role in the therapy.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Acupuncture , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy , Dysmenorrhea , Therapeutics , Glucose , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Jiantaiye (JTY) on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and ER mRNA in uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Embryo implantation dysfunction mouse models were induced with mifepristone and treated with JTY. All animals were sacrificed on day 8 of pregnancy. The endometrial ER and ER mRNA expressions were assessed by immunnohistochemical SP method and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Area ratio and absorbency of ER in the JTY treated group's gland and stroma were higher than those of the model group, quite similar to those of the normal control's, and ER mRNA expression in treated group's uterus was significantly higher than that in the models, but it was not significantly different from the normal control.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JTY improves the endometrial development by increasing ER and ER mRNA expressions of uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.</p>