Yueliang Yin Ameliorates Endometrial Receptivity in Mice with Embryo Implantation Failure by Reducing Pyroptosis and Activating BDNF/TrkB Pathway

Mol Nutr Food Res. 2023 Dec;67(23):e2300339. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202300339. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Abstract

Scope: Endometrial receptivity plays a vital role in embryonic implantation. Yueliang Yin is a marketed solid drink in China, also known as Bushen Cuyun Recipe (BCR), that is, assumed to have a therapeutic effect on infertility by improving endometrial receptivity. This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of BCR in protecting the endometrium.

Methods and results: Mice with mifepristone-induced embryo implantation failure that exhibited a decreased implantation sites number, thinner endometrium, reduced endometrial glands number, and poor pinopode expression levels are treated with BCR, and these mentioned conditions significantly improves afterward. Molecular docking shows that the main active components kaempferol, quercetin, and hesperetin of BCR stably bound to gasdermin D (GSDMD). Experimental results demonstrate that levels of GSDMD, cleaved caspase-1 and leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing 3 and IL-1β levels in model mice are significantly decreased and expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine protein kinase B (TrkB) expression levels are significantly elevated after BCR treatments, and that the DNA damage is significantly reversed in BCR-treated mice.

Conclusions: BCR is potent and effective in ameliorating endometrial receptivity. The potential mechanisms of BCR on endometrial receptivity may mediate by activating BDNF/TrkB pathway activation and protecting endometrial cells' protection against pyroptosis.

Keywords: BDNF/TrkB pathway; Yueliang Yin; endometrial receptivity; in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer; pyroptosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* / metabolism
  • Embryo Implantation / genetics
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Pyroptosis*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor