Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Bushenantai granules (补肾安胎颗粒) in promoting angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface of recurrent spontaneous abortion mice

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of Bushenantai(BSAT) granule(补肾安胎颗粒) on angiogenesis-related factors [E2, P, and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)] at the maternal-fetal interface of recurrent spontaneous abortion(RSA) mice, and to evaluate the role of BSAT in promoting angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface by influencing the expression of sex hormones, and VEGF.METHODS: A mouse model with normal pregnancy and another with Clark's classic RSA were established. The RSA mice were randomly assigned to six groups: normal, model, progesterone, high-doseBSAT granule(BSAT-H), medium-dose-BSAT granule(BSAT-M), and low-dose-BSAT granule(BSAT-L)(n =10 for each group). The embryo loss rate and the histopathological changes in the decidual tissues were measured. Serum levels of estrogen(E2), progesterone(P), and VEGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The m RNA and protein expressions of estradiol receptor(ER), progesterone receptor(PR), VEGF, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2) in the decidual tissues were identified by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS: The embryo loss rate in all groups that received BSAT treatment was reduced, while the number of blood vessels at decidual tissues was increased. The serum levels of E2, P and VEGF were elevated, and the m RNA and protein expressions of ER, PR, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in the decidual tissues were enhanced.CONCLUSION: BSAT can improve angiogenesis at the maternal-fetal interface and reduce the embryo loss rate, which may be associated with its ability to increase the serum levels of estrogen, progesterone, and VEGF, in addition to up-regulation of m RNA and protein expression of ER, PR, VEGF, and VEGFR2 in the decidual tissues.