Context: Abortions damage the endometrium in women. Currently, therapeutic options for endometrial recovery are limited. Zishen Yutai Pill (ZYP) was found to promote endometrial blood supply as a traditional Chinese medicine. However, whether ZYP promotes endometrial recovery post-abortion has not yet been explored.
Objective: This study evaluated the role of ZYP in rat endometrial recovery after induced abortion and explored its mechanism of action.
Materials and methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: no-operation group, control group, and ZYP group. The rats in the control and ZYP group were induced abortion, and then treated with normal saline or ZYPs, respectively, for 1-3 oestrous cycles. Morphological changes in the endometrium were examined. Expression levels of the factors related to endometrial recovery were analyzed. The duration of this study was almost seven months.
Results: The endometrial thickness (7.3 ± 0.17 mm) and number of glands (5.5 ± 0.20) increased significantly in the ZYP group compared with those in the control group (5.5 ± 0.15 mm and 3.5 ± 0.18; p < 0.05). Fibrosis of the endometrium was ameliorated by ZYP administration (45 ± 6% vs. 58 ± 7%; p < 0.05). ZYPs treatment increased the expression of VEGF, ER, MMP-9, LIF, and HB-EGF, but decreased TGF-β expression. Moreover, the average number of pups in the ZYP group (9.0 ± 1.5) was greater than that in the control (4 ± 1.3).
Discussion and conclusion: ZYPs accelerate endometrial recovery and restored fertility in rats, suggesting its potential to promote human endometrial repair.
Keywords: Intrauterine injuries; endometrial receptivity; endometrium; fibrosis; pinopodes.