Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) ›› 2022, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (2): 383-390.doi: 10.13481/j.1671-587X.20220215

• Research in basic medicine • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of Tongguan Xiaozheng Decoction on levels of serum inflammatory factors in rats with tubal inflammatory infertility and its mechanism

Yanqing LI1(),Fang ZHAO2,Rui GAO2,Xin WU3,Xiaobin NIU4   

  1. 1.Department of Gynecology,Second Affiliated Hospital,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450003,China
    2.Graduate Office,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450046,China
    3.Department of Gynecology,First Affiliated Hospital,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450099,China
    4.Department of Clinical Laboratory,Second Affiliated Hospital,Henan University of Chinese Medicine,Zhengzhou 450003,China
  • Received:2021-07-30 Online:2022-03-28 Published:2022-05-10
  • Contact: Yanqing LI E-mail:ynqhn658@163.com

Abstract: Objective

To investigate the effect of Tongguan Xiaozheng Decoction (TGXZ) in the rats with tubal inflammatory infertility, and to explore its possible molecular mechanism.

Methods

A total of 92 SD female rats aged 6-8 weeks were selected, and the rat models of tubal inflammatory infertility were constructed by vaginal inoculation with mixed bacteria. The 60 model rats were randomly divided into model group, western medicine (metronidazole tablets and levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules) group and low (5.33 g·kg-1), medium (10.67 g·kg-1), and high (21.33 g·kg-1) doses of TGXZ groups, with 12 rats in each group, and another 12 normal rats were taken as normal control group. All rats were intragastrically administered twice a day, once in the morning and evening, for a total of 1 dose, for 30 d. The mental state, activity levels, water consumptions, paw color, etc. of the rats in various groups were observed and recorded; ELISA method was used to measure the levels of serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of the rats in various groups; Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of fallopian tube tissue of the rats in various groups; Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kB (TLR4/NF-κB) signaling pathway related proteins in the fallopian tube tissue of the rats in various groups; the conception rates of rats in various groups were calculated.

Results

The rats in normal control group had good mental state, normal activity and drinking water, and white claw color. The mental state of the rats in model group was depressed, the amount of activity and drinking water were decreased, and the claw color was dark red. The general situation of rats in medium dose of TGXZ group, high dose of TGXZ group and Western medicine group was significantly improved, the mental state of rats recovered, the amounts of activity and drinking water were increased, and the color of claw became lighter. Compared with normal control group, the serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels of the rats in model group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the inflammatory cell infiltration score of fallopian tube tissue was significantly increased (P<0.05), the expression levels of TLR4, p-IκBα and NF-κB p65 proteins in fallopian tube tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05), the IκBα protein expression level was significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the conception rate of rats was significantly reduced (P<0.05). Compared with model group, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in medium and high doses of TGXZ groups were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the inflammatory cell infiltration scores of fallopian tube tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the expression levels of TLR4, p-IκBα and NF-κB p65 in fallopian tube tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the IκBα protein expression level was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the conception rate was significantly increased (P<0.05); but there were no significant differences in the above indicators in low dose of TGXZ group (P>0.05). Compared with low dose of TGXZ group, the serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels of the rats in medium and high dose of TGXZ groups, the inflammatory cell infiltration scores of fallopian tube tissue, the expression levels of TLR4, p-IκBα and NF-κB p65 proteins in fallopian tube tissue were decreased significantly (P<0.05),and the conception rates and the IκBα expression levels were increased significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusion

TGXZ can effectively reduce the levels of serum inflammatory factors in the rats with tubal inflammatory infertility, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the activity of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Key words: Tongguan Xiaozheng Decoction, Tubal inflammatory infertility, Inflammatory factor, Toll like receptor 4, Nuclear factor-kappa B

CLC Number: 

  • R966