Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of Yuzhi Zhixue granules on stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) axis and endometrial fibrosis in rats with intrauterine adhesions. Methods The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and Yuzhi Zhixue granules low, medium and high dose groups(to establish a rat model of intrauterine adhesions), and were given 30 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg by gavage respectively, once a day for 21 consecutive days. The levels of serum interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were detected by kits; HE staining and Masson staining were used to detect the number of endometrial glands and the degree of interstitial fibrosis; the protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with those in the sham operation group, the uterine tissue structure of the model group was destroyed, the number of glands decreased, fibrotic hyperplasia was found and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration was found. The levels of serum IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 were significantly higher (P＜0.05) and the expression of SDF-1 protein in uterine tissue was significantly lower (P＜0.05). Compared with those in the model group, the number of glands in the low, medium and high dose groups of Yuzhi Zhixue Granules increased in turn, the degree of fibrosis was weakened, and the number of inflammatory cells was decreased, the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β1 in serum were significantly lower (P＜0.05). The expression of SDF-1 protein in uterus was significantly lower (P＜0.05), and all of them were dose-dependent. Conclusions Yuzhi Zhixue granules can repair the uterine structure of rats with intrauterine adhesions, alleviate tissue fibrosis and reduce inflammatory reaction by inhibition of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Key words: Yuzhi Zhixue granule, intrauterine adhesion, stromal cell-derived factor-1, CXC chemokine receptor 4, endometrial fibrosis