Bushen Huoxue decoction improves the reproduction of endometriosis-associated infertility by regulating Homeobox A10 and αlpha(v)beta(3) integrin expression.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Bushen Huoxue decoction (, BSHXD) to treat endometriosis-induced infertility.

Medhods: The main compounds of BSHXD were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The effect of BSHXD on Homeobox A10 (HOXA10) and alpha(v)beta(3) (αvβ3) integrin expression of Ishikawa cells, mouse model, and endometriosis-associated infertility women was evaluated by using Western blot analysis, immunohistochemistry and Real-Time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The efficacy of BSHXD on embryo attachment were examined by using the BeWo spheroid and mouse embryo attachment assay. HOXA10 concentration in uterine flushing fluid of endometriosis-associated infertility women treated with BSHXD was measured by Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results: BSHXD improved BeWo spheroid and mice blastocysts attachment to Ishikawa cells and increased embryo implantation rates in mice and pregnancy rates in women with endometriosis-associated infertility. BSHXD enhanced HOXA10 and αvβ3 integrin expression in Ishikawa cell, endometriosis mouse model, and endometriosis-associated infertility women, which potentially improved endometrial receptivity.

Conclusions: BSHXD could improve endometrial receptivity of endometriosis-associated infertility in a dose-dependent manner by regulating HOXA10 and αvβ3 integrin expression.