Effects of acupuncture on LIF and IL-12 in rats of implantation failure.
OBJECTIVE
Acupuncture has a positive effect on implantation obstacle, but the mechanism is still not clear, so the aim of the experiment is to explore the possible role that acupuncture plays in implantation.


METHODS
Early pregnant rats were randomized into normal group (N), group treated with mifepristone (M), acupuncture treatment group (A), and progestin treatment group (P). The model of blastocyst implantation obstacle in groups M, A, and P was established with mifepristone. Bilateral 'Housanli' and 'Sanyinjiao' were needled in group A. The expression of interleukin (IL)-12, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), LIFR protein, and mRNA in endometrium were detected.


RESULTS
Positivity of the protein expression of IL-12, LIF, and LIFR in the endometrium was significantly higher in groups N, A, and P; positivity of the mRNA of IL-12 and LIF in the endometrium was significantly higher in groups N, A, and P.


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture could improve the poor receptive state of endometrium by promoting LIF and IL-12 secretion to improve blastocyst implantation.
Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
Juan
J
Gui
Fan
F
Xiong
Wei
W
Yang
Jing
J
Li
Guangying
G
Huang
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011372:Progestins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D053606:Receptors, OSM-LIF / Q000378:metabolism
D000021:Abortifacient Agents, Steroidal; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D011372:Progestins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053606:Receptors, OSM-LIF; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015735:Mifepristone