Moxibustion alleviates decreased ovarian reserve in rats by restoring the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

• DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.01.007
• Publication Date: 2022-01-31T11:18:06Z
• Authors: Hong-xiao Li; Ling Shi; Shang-jie Liang; Chen-chen Fang; Qian-qian Xu; Ge Lu; Qian Wang; Jie Cheng; Jie Shen; Mei-hong Shen
• Keywords: Moxibustion; Ovarian Reserve

Moxibustion, a common therapy in traditional Chinese medicine, has potential benefits for treating decreased ovarian reserve (DOR). The present study investigates the protective effect of moxibustion rat model DOR and explores possible mechanisms.Sixty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, DOR, (MOX), hormone replacement (HRT). was established by intragastric administration 50 mg/kg Tripterygium glycoside suspension (TGS), once daily 14 days. MOX HRT treatments given from day TGS initiated. function evaluated monitoring estrus cycle, morphological changes ovaries, levels serum estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating (FSH), luteinizing (LH), anti-Mullerian (AMH), pregnancy rate embryo numbers. Terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end-labeling staining used to identify granulosa cell apoptosis, while protein mRNA expressions Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) kinase B (AKT) tissues examined immunohistochemistry, Western blot quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Compared with group, improved disordered estrous promoted follicular growth, reduced number atresia follicles, increased concentrations E2 AMH, FSH LH concentrations. More importantly, numbers both upregulated treatment compared untreated model. Further, we found that group had apoptosis cells, Bcl-2 expression Bax. Furthermore, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway triggered treatment.Moxibustion suppressed cells induced TGS, mechanism may involve pathway.