| To investigate the effect of Gao's Prescription No.3 on inflammatory factors and reproductive function in rats with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease(CPID) and explore its possible mechanism.Methods:A total of 119 SD rats were randomly divided into two major groups,namely the pharmacodynamics experimental groups(referred to as the pharmacodynamic groups) and the reproductive function experimental groups(referred to as the reproductive groups).The rat model of CPID was prepared by mechanical injury combined with chemical burn for 10 days.The rats with CPID were randomly divided into a model group,a Puling group,a placenta group,and three high,medium,and low-dose Gao's Prescription No.3 groups.The normal rats were divided into the control group.There were 10 rats in each pharmacodynamic group and 7 rats in each reproductive group.The administration lasted for 20 days.Rats in the pharmacodynamic groups were sacrificed,and the levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) and interleukin-4(IL-4) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The pathological changes in the uterus of rats in each group were observed under a light microscope.Immunohistochemical assay and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were used to determine the protein and mRNA expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),respectively.In the reproductive groups,the male and female rats were caged at a 7:2 ratio,and the changes in pregnancy rate and litter size in rats within 60 days were observed.Results:Under the light microscope,the model group showed obvious inflammatory cell infiltration,intimal hyperemia and edema,thickening of the lumen wall,tissue structure disorder,gland disorder and atrophy,and other pathological changes in the uterine tissue of rats.As compared with the model group,the GM-CSF levels in the high,medium,and low-dose Gao's Prescription No.3 groups were decreased,IL-4 levels were increased,and the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB were reduced(P<0.05).In the reproductive groups,the pregnancy rate of the model group was 0,and the total pregnancy rate of the high,medium,and low-dose Gao's Prescription No.3 groups was high,with high litter size,average litter size,and survival rate.There was no statistical difference in the pregnancy rates between the high-dose Gao's Prescription No.3 group and the control group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Gao's Prescription No.3 has a good therapeutic effect on rats with CPID and infertility.The mechanism may be related to the promotion of the secretion level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 and the inhibition of activation of NF-κB,thus reducing the release of GM-CSF,alleviating the response of PID,and improving the reproductive function of rats. |
