[Effect of Zuoguiyin on expression of ovarian VEGF and SPARC in rats during peri-menopausal period].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of one kind of regulating-qi and Nourishing-yin Chinese herbs Zuoguiyin on the expression of rats ovarian vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and secreted protein acidic rich in cysteine (SPARC) during the period of peri-menopause.


METHODS
The animal models of perimenopause rats were established by natural aging. Perimenopause rats were treated by intragastric administration (ig) with low (13.78 g x kg(-1)), middle (20.67 g x kg(-1)) and high (31 g x kg(-1)) dose of Zuoguiyin for 8 weeks. Expression of VEGF and SPARC mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate expression levels of VEGF protein.


RESULTS
Compared with that in the control group, ovarian expression levels of VEGF mRNA and its protein in rats during peri-menopause increased significantly (P < 0.01). Middle and high dose of Zuoguiyin could both down-regulate the expression of VEGF in ovaries of praesenilis rats, and the difference has statistical significance (P < 0.01). Expression levels of SPARC mRNA in rat ovaries during peri-menopausal period decreased obviously compared to that in the control group (P < 0.01). Middle and high dose of Zuoguiyin could greatly promote ovarian SPARC mRNA expression of praesenilis rats (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The abnormal changes of VEGF and SPARC may play an important role in the aging process of ovary. Zuoguiyin, one kind of regulating-qi and Nourishing-yin Chinese herbs, can improve ovarian vascular formation through down-regulating the expression of VEGF meanwhile up-regulating the expression of SPARC. And it may delay aging by this way.
Zhao
Wei
W
Department of Physiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China. paradise1100@sina.com
Wen
Haixia
H
Zheng
Huili
H
Sun
Shixiao
S
Ni
Jiang
J
D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D023421:Models, Animal; D015676:Osteonectin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D015676:Osteonectin; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A