[Effects of the mixture of Rhizoma Curcumae and Oviducts Ranae on estrogen and its receptor expressions in ovariectomized rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of the mixture of Rhizoma Curcumae (YFN) and Oviducts Ranae on serum estrogen and spleen estrogen receptor expressions and its effect on reproductive endocrine-immune network in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.


METHODS
Female SD rat models of climacteric syndrome (CS) were established by ovariectomy. After administration of YFN in the rats for 12 consecutive weeks, the serum estrogen levels (E2, FSH, LH, T, and P) and interleukin-2 were determined using radioimmunoassay, and the expression levels of estrogen receptor in the spleen were detected with immunofluorescence assay.


RESULTS
The serum E2, T, P, and interleukin-2 levels (P<0.01) and spleen estrogen receptor expression (P<0.05) were significantly increased after high-dose YFN administration in the OVX rats as compared with the levels in the untreated OVX rats. YFN also resulted in lowered serum FSH and LH levels, but the changes were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
YFN can increase the serum estrogen levels and estrogen receptor expression in the spleen of OVX rats, suggesting its clinical potential for relieving CS.
Wu
Zhao-xia
ZX
Department of Biochemistry, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510182, China. chaoxia_wu@yahoo.com.cn
Wang
Xiao-hua
XH
Liu
Hua
H
Deng
Hong-zhu
HZ
D000818:Animals; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D008419:Materia Medica / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D004967:Estrogens; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008419:Materia Medica; C539466:Oviductus Ranae; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen