Preventive effect of estradiol valerate on intrauterine adhesion formation in rats / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the preventive effect and the mechanism of estradiol on the formation of intrauterine adhesion in rats. Methods Thirty female SD rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups (6 each), and rats intrauterine adhesion model was reproduced by curettage and infection. Estradiol valerate was gavaged for prevention of adhesion. Rats in control group (A) were not given intrauterine injury or estradiol. In physiological estrogen group (B) intrauterine injury was reproduced, but no estradiol valerate was given. The rats in low dose estrogen group (C), moderate dose estrogen group (D) and high dose estrogen group (E) were treated with estradiol valerate of 0.206, 0.514 or 1.028mg/(kg·d) respectively after reproduction of the model. ELISA was used to determine the serum concentrations of estradiol. HE staining was performed to observe the number of endometrial glands in rats. Masson staining was used to calculate the area of endometrial fibrosis, and immunohistochemical method was employed to detect the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). Results On account of administration of estradiol valerate, the serum estradiol levels were significantly higher in group C, D and E than in group A and B, and the serum estradiol levels increased along with the increase of dosage of estradiol (P<0.05). Compared with group B, rats in group C, D and E presented increased number of endometrial glands and decreased ratio of endometrial fibrosis area (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group D and group E. Compare to group B, rats in Group C, D and E showed higher MMP-9 levels and lower TGF-β levels (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between group D and group E. Conclusion Estradiol may reduce the formation of intrauterine adhesion, and the effect is positively correlated with the dosage of estradiol used.