Abstract:
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of Bushen Zhuyun Decoction (BSZYD) on regulatory T cells (Treg), helper T cell 17 (Th17) and related factors in rat with luteal phase defect (LPD) infertility.
METHODS Rats were administered mifepristone mixture (10 mL·kg-1) to construct the LPD-induced infertility model. The positive drug dydrogesterone mixture (0.02 g·kg-1) and low (4.5 g·kg-1), medium (9 g·kg-1), and high (18 g · kg-1) doses of BSZYD were given for intervention. Uterine tissue morphology of the rat was evaluated by HE staining; the ratio of Treg and Th17 and related factor contents in rat peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry and ELISA; the protein and mRNA expression levels of Treg and Th17 cell transcription factors were detected by Western blot and qPCR.
RESULTS Compared with the blank group, the endometrial thickness of the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the proportion of Treg and the content of the anti-inflammatory factor interleukin-10 (IL-10) reduced significantly (P < 0.01), the percentage of Th17 cells and the inflammatory factor interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were significantly increased (P < 0.01), the protein and mRNA expression levels of FOXP3 were inhibited (P < 0.05, P < 0.001), the RORγT protein and mRNA levels were higher (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Compared with the model group, the dydrogesterone and middle- and high-dose BSZYD could increase endometrial thickness (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), promoting the proliferation and development of endometrial glands; the percentage of Treg cells and IL-10 content increased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001), the percentage of Th17 cells decreased significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.001), and FOXP3 protein expression was increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001); IL-17A content and RORγT protein expression were decreased in the middle and high-dose BSZYD groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the FOXP3 mRNA levels in the dydrogesterone group and the high-dose BSZYD group were significantly increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.001), and the expression of RORγT mRNA was down-regulated (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION BSZYD can regulate the immune balance of Treg and Th17 cells in LPD-infertility rats and improve endometrial receptivity.