[Effect of yangjing zhongyu decoction on matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in endometrium and sex hormone regulation in women with cryptogenic infertility].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Yangjing Zhongyu decoction (YZD) on metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) expression and sex hormone regulation in mid-luteal phase endometrium of women with cryptogenic infertility.


METHODS
In situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method was used to detect MMP-9 and TIMP-1 mRNA, and radioimmunoassay was used to determine levels of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) synchronously, of 22 infertile women during mid-luteal phase.


RESULTS
After treatment, the mid-luteal serum E2 and P level was 451.501 +/- 226.342 pmol/L and 46.502 +/- 19.948 nmol/L respectively, significantly higher than that before treatment (304.656 +/- 135.853 pmol/L and 33.782 +/- 15.459 nmol/L respectively), the difference was significant (P < 0.01). Staining of MMP-9 mRNA positive granules in cytoplasm and nuclei of adeno-epithelial cell mid-luteal phase endometrium deepened significantly, but the change in mesenchym was insignificant. The MMP-9 mRNA expression after treatment was 0.617 +/- 0.186 (grey level), significantly higher than the level before treatment (0.490 +/- 0.370), comparison between them showed significant difference (P < 0.05). Change of TIMP-1 mRNA expression in adeno-epithelial and mesenchym before and after treatment was insignificant (0.588 +/- 0.191 vs 0.621 +/- 0.146, P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the quantitative difference of P value before and after treatment was positively correlated with the difference of MMP-9 mRNA before and after treatment (r = 0.682, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
YZD could soothen Gan and nourish Shen, raise the level of mid-luteal phase serum P, and further promote MMP-9 gene expression in endometrium to benefit the degradation of extracellular matrix of endometrium, and facilitate for blastocyst implantation.
Wu
Rui-jin
RJ
Obstetrical and Gynecological Hospital, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006. wuruijin@hotmail.com
Zhou
Fu-zhen
FZ
D000328:Adult; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9