Effect of TCM on plasma β-endorphin and placental endocrine in threatened abortion

Abstract

To explore the effect of TCM on plasma beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and placental endocrine function in patients of threatened abortions (TA). Changes of plasma beta-EP, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), progesterone (P4) levels were measured with RIA in 40 cases of TA with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortion treated with Chinese herbal medicine for reinforcing Kidney and Qi, hemostasis and antiabortion. And the results were compared with those of normal early pregnant women and patients with incomplete abortion as control. The plasma beta-EP level in TA was significantly higher than that in normal pregnant women, P < 0.01. On the contrary, plasma GnRH, HCG and P4 were obviously lower in TA as compared with those of the normal cases, P < 0.01. After treatment, 36 of the 40 patients succeeded in the continuity of pregnancy, their symptoms of TA disappeared, and the above-mentioned four criteria measured at 10-12th week of gestation were similar to those of normal cases, P > 0.05. TCM treatment can regulate plasma beta-EP and placental endocrine function in threatened abortion.