Expression of Decidua Cytokines and Co-Stimulating Factor in a Rat Model of Spontaneous Abortion due to Kidney Deficiency / 中国实验动物学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To establish a spontaneous abortion rat model for a syndrome in traditional chinese medicine, kidney deficiency, and observe the changes of physiological indicators and related cytokine expression in the model. Methods 40 female and 20 male rats were used in this study. The female and male rats were mated (mating ratio 21). The day of vaginal smear with a large number of sperm was considered as the first day of pregnancy. The rats were randomly divided into control group and model group. The model group received 450 mg/kg hydroxyurea every day. Mifepristone was given on the eighth day in a dose of 3.75 mg/kg. The diet amount, the diameter index of kidney, ovary and embryos were analyzed. The mRNA expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine was detected by RT-PCR, and the expression of co-stimulating factors CD80, CD86, CD28, CTLA-4 were determined by flow cytometry.Results Comparing the model group with control group on the eighth day, there were significant differences between the model and control groups in quantity of food and water intake, and weight increase (P<0.05), and also in the embryonic diameter index, average of abortion rate, Th1/Th2 type cytokines, co-stimulating factor CD80, CD86, CD28, and CTLA-4 (P<0.05). Conclusion A rat model of spontaneous abortion due to kidney deficiency can be successfully established with hydroxyurea and mifepristone. The high expression of Th1 (TNF-α, IFN-γ) may cause abortion and be harmful to pregnancy. Th2 type (IL-4, IL-10) may facilitate pregnancy. The expression co-stimulating factor CD80, CD86, CD28, CTLA-4 may be relevant to the spontaneous abortion.