Problem: We investigated the effect of Xianziyizhen recipe capsule (XRC), a kidney-tonifying herb, on the PGI2-PPARδ signaling pathway at the maternal-fetal interface in embryo implantation dysfunction (EID) mice.
Method of study: Intragastric administration of Progynova (estradiol) or XRC was performed in EID mouse model, following experimental induction of kidney deficiency by co-treatment with chemotherapy drug hydroxyurea and antiprogesterone mifepristone. The PPARδ and IL-11 mRNA expression in endometrium were detected by real-time relative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Further, the protein expression of COX-2, PGI2, MMP-9, and TIMP-3 was detected in endometrial glandular epithelium and in stromal cells by immunohistochemical (IHC) assay.
Results: The results showed that hydroxyurea and mifepristone-induced EID were associated with significantly lower PPARδ and IL-11 mRNA levels in endometrium and reduced COX-2, PGI2, MMP-9, and TIMP-3 levels in endometrial glandular epithelium, compared with normal controls. However, XRC and Progynova treatment reversed these effects, leading to significant increases in PPARδ and IL-11 mRNA expression, and COX-2, PGI2, MMP-9 and TIMP-3 protein levels, when compared with the levels observed in EID mice.
Conclusion: These results strongly suggested that XRC is beneficial in EID treatment and that XRC may mediate its effects through regulation of the PGI2-PPARδ signaling pathway.
Keywords: COX-2; MMP-9; TIMP-3; Xianziyizhen recipe capsule; embryo implantation dysfunction; signal transduction.
© 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.