Study on the effects of "foshousan" plus danshen in preventing IUGR rats with passive smoking from peroxidation in erythrocyte lipid.

The pregnant rats with cigarette smoking exposure were used as the animal model for studying the pathogenesis of IUGR. The mechanism of preventing intrauterine growth retardation with "Foshousan" plus Danshen by protecting erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation damage was also preliminarily discussed. The erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxide content, erythrocyte SOD activities were detected by ultraviolet split-beam spectrophotometry and chemiluminescence technique. The results showed that the erythrocyte MDA levels and ratio of abnormal erythrocyte in model group were significantly higher than those in control group and treated group, and the fetal mean birth weight, erythrocyte SOD levels were all statistically significantly lower than those in control group and treated group. The fetal birth weight showed a significant positive correlation with SOD levels and a significant negative correlation with MDA level. The results suggest "Foshousan" plus Danshen can protect erythrocytes against lipid peroxidation damage, thus conserving the normal form, structure and function of erythrocytes, improving the uteroplacental blood flow and thereby increasing the fetal mean birth weight.