Abstract
AbstractRecurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is the most common pregnancy-related complication, affecting 1–5% of pregnancies. Currently, immune imbalance at the maternal–fetal interface is one of the main causes of recurrent abortion. Icariin (ICA) can exert immunomodulatory effects in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Nevertheless, it has not been reported for use in recurrent abortion. In this study, to clarify the effects and mechanisms of ICA for recurrent abortion, female mice CBA/J were randomly divided into Normal group, RSA group and RSA + ICA group. From 0.5 days of pregnancy to 12.5 days, the RSA + ICA group was subjected to orally ICA (50 mg/Kg) daily, and the Normal group and the RSA group were given with an equal volume of distilled water. The results showed the amount of reabsorbed embryo in the RSA group was significantly higher than that in the normal-pregnancy group. However, ICA treatment showed a rescue effect on spontaneous abortion in RSA mice. ICA was able to increase the ratio of the labyrinth to total placental area in abortion-prone model. Further investigation showed that ICA treatment can expand the regulatory T cell (Treg) population in mice prone to abortion, significantly decrease the populations of Th1 cells, and reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory factors. Additionally, ICA treatment was able to decrease the expression of mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) in the placenta. ICA may increase Treg cell expansion and reducing pro-inflammatory factors expression via the mTOR pathway, then reducing placental inflammation and improving pregnancy outcomes in abortion-prone mice.
Funder
Sichuan Province Science and Technology Support Program
Chengdu Science and Technology Program
Research project of Sichuan Provincial Health Commission
The pre-research project of the Natural Science Foundation of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xinglin Scholars Discipline Talent Research Promotion Plan Hospital Special
The subject of Sichuan Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Research project of Sichuan Maternity and Child Health Association
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Obstetrics and Gynecology