Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction prevents the progression of endometriosis in a rat model by attenuating estrogen and pros-taglandin E2 generation
Objctive The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism of Shafu Zhuyu Decoction(SFZYD)in a rat en-dometriosis model.Methods Autologous uterine transplantation was performed in Sprague Dawley(SD)rats,and those with suc-cessful ectopic implants were randomly divided into model group,letrozole group and SFZY group,and were treated with saline placebo,letrozole or SFZYD for a period of 4weeks.The implant volume was recorded before and after medication,and serum sex hormone levels as well as the levels of estrogen and prostaglandin(PG)E2 in the ectopic lesions were determined by ELISA.The expression of COX-2,StAR,aromatase,ERα and ERβ in the lesions was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot-ting.Results Both letrozole and SFZYD reduced the size of endometriosis lesions.Letrozole decreased E2 and E1 levels in both ser-um and lesions,increased FSH and LH levels in serum;SFZYD only targeted E2 and E1 levels in the lesions and increased FSH in serum.Both drugs reduced local COX-2expression and inhibited PGE2 production without affecting StAR and aromatase expres-sion.In addition,letrozole upregulated ERα with no significant impact on ERβ,whereas SFZYD not only up-regulated ERα but also down-regulated ERβ.Conclusion The mechanism of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction on endometriosis mice may be realized by re-ducing E2 synthesis in the ectopic lesions by lowering COX-2expression and inhibiting PGE2 production,along with balancing ERα/ERβ expression ratio.
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