RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Danggui shaoyao powder (DSS) on uterine structure and expressions of estrogen receptorα(ERα),estrogen receptorβ(ERβ)in uterine cavity epithelium and matrix in model rats in perimenopausal peri-od. METHODS:40 female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (normal saline),model group (normal sa-line),DSS low-dose,medium-dose,high-dose groups(1.94,3.87,7.44 g/kg),8 in each group. Except that rats in sham opera-tion group received resection of fat nearby ovaries,rats in other groups received resection of bilateral ovaries to induce models in perimenopausal period. After modeling,rats were intragastrically administrated once a day,for 8 weeks. After administration,wet mass of uterine was weighted. Changes in uterine morphology and structure of rats were observed,expressions levels of ERα and ERβ in uterine cavity epithelium and matrix were determined. RESULTS:Compared with sham operation group,rats in model group showed low columnar in endometrial columnar epithelium,lamina propria layer,muscular layer and serous layer were signifi-cantly atrophied,stromal cells had obvious nuclear condensation. There was marked decrease in uterine wet mass,uterine cavity ar-ea and endometrial thickness as well as the number of uterine glands(P<0.01),and the expression levels of ERαand ERβin uter-ine cavity epithelium and matrix were significantly reduced(P<0.01). Compared with model group,the atrophy degree of endome-trium and lamina propria layer had no significant differences in DSS each dose groups. However,lamina propria layer was rich in glands,and there were significant differences in uterine wet mass,uterine cavity area,endometrial thickness,ERα expression level in uterine cavity epithelium and matrix (P>0.05). However, the number of uterine glands in DSS medium-dose,high-dose groups was significantly increased(P<0.01),and ERβexpres-sion level in uterine cavity epithelium and matrix in DSS high-dose group was significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:DSS has not obvious effect on im-proving the symptoms of uterine gland atrophy of model rats in perimenopausal period,but it can increase the number ofuterine glands,and the mechanism may be associated with improving the ERβ expression level in uterine cavity epithelium and ma-trix.