Astilbin improves pregnancy outcome in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating Th1/Th2 balance.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of astilbin on pregnancy outcome in rats with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA).

METHODS

A total of 40 pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control, model, astilbin, and prednisone groups. An RSA rat model was established by gavage with hydroxyurea and mifepristone. The number of surviving and reabsorbed embryos was counted on day 9 of gestation in each group. The rat serum was collected to detect the levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 in the decidual and placental tissues of the rats were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The absorptivity of embryos was significantly higher in the model group than in the control group. The levels of serum IFN-γ and IL-2 were significantly lower in the astilbin group than in the model group, while the levels of serum IL-4 and IL-10 were significantly higher. Astilbin treatment significantly increased GATA-3 expression, while it significantly reduced T-bet expression and the T-bet/GATA-3 ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Astilbin has a therapeutic effect on RSA in rats by regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 in maternal circulation and likely in decidual tissue.