Effects of ethephon on serum levels of sex hormone, apoptosis, and cell cycle of ovaries in mice

INTRODUCTION

The effects of ethephon on the reproductive systems of mammalian females are still ambiguous. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of ethephon on the female reproductive system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty female C57 mice were used as experimental subjects and evenly divided into 8 groups, which were fed with mixed ethephon (0, 107.3, 214.5, and 429 mg/kg bw/day) and pure water. After 20 and 40 days of gavage, the mice were weighed and individual organ coefficients of the ovaries were measured. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to detect the serum levels of serum sex hormones. The cell cycle distribution and rate of apoptosis of mouse ovarian tissues were examined using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Ethephon intoxication significantly decreased serum levels of progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E2) and increased the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH). The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) decreased and then increased over time. In addition, ethephon significantly inhibited the apoptosis rate in the ovary and caused G0/G1 and G2/M arrest.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that prolonged exposure to ethephon may have negative effects on the female reproductive system.

[Effect on clinical symptoms and mechanism of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation treated with acupoint catgut embedding]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of acupoint catgut embedding for chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 46 cases in each one.In the observation group, acupoint catgut embedding was applied at Ganshu (BL 18), Pishu (BL 20), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), also the surrounding acupuncture was performed at facial part, once a week. In the control group, vitamin C (200 mg per time, 3 times a day) and vitamin E (100 mg per time, once a day) were prescribed for oral administration. Both of the two groups were given treatment for 12 weeks. The score of chloasma area and severity index (MASI), the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), leuteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E₂) before and after treatment were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect of the two groups were compared after 3 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Finally, 44 cases in the observation group and 43 cases in the control group completed the study. The effective rate in the observation group was 88.6% (39/44), which was higher than 55.8% (24/43) in the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the MASI scores after treatment were reduced in the two groups (P<0.01, P<0.05), the MASI score in follow-up in the observation group was reduced as compared with after treatment (P<0.01), and the MASI scores after treatment and in follow-up in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). Compared before treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in follow-up were reduced (P<0.01), there was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the level of E₂ in the observation group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between before treatment and in follow-up in the levels of FSH, LH and E₂ in the control group (P>0.05). In follow-up, the levels of FSH and LH in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the level of E₂ between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Acupoint catgut embedding can improve the clinical symptoms of chloasma in premenopausal women with liver qi stagnation, the mechanism may be related to regulate the serum level of sex hormone to reduce high sensitivity of melanocytes to estrogen.