Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel has little effect on expression of SLPI, SP-D and lactoferrin in mice's vagina.

2.2 MB·English

by  Yuan, Qiao

Iran J Reprod Med Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013 Original article

Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel has little effect on
expression of SLPI, SP-D and lactoferrin in mice’s
vagina

Qiao Yuan1, 3 Ph.D., Chen Zhuo1, 2 M.D., Ph.D., Ma Yonggui4 Ph.D, Lu Fuer1, 2 M.D.,Ph.D., Chen
Suhua2 M.D., Ph.D., Huang Guangying1, 2 M.D., Ph.D.

1. Department of Integrated Abstract
Traditional Chinese and
Background: The most frequently used spermicide Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) in the clinic
Western Medicine, Tongji
Hospital. Tongji Medical alters the vaginal flora, which will result in an increased risk of opportunistic
College, Huazhong University infection. So development of a novel spermicidal and microbicidal drug appears to
of Science and Technology, be inevitable. Vaginal local immune is an important part of vaginal flora. Secretory
Wuhan, P.R.China.
leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), surfactant proteins D (SP-D), and lactoferrin
2. Institute of Integrated
Traditional Chinese and (LF) are anti-microbial molecules with important roles in immune system of female
Western Medicine, Tongji vaginas.
Medical College, Huazhong Objective: To observe effect of a vaginal spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9) berberine
University of Science and
plural gel on the expression of SLPI SP-D and LF in mice’s vaginas.
Technology, Wuhan,
P.R.China. Materials and Methods: Female BABL/C mice were randomly divided into
3. Department of Obstetrics and following 5 groups: normal control group, blank gel group, berberine gel group,
Gynecology, Zhongnan 12% N-9 gel group and N-9 berberine plural gel group. Estradiol benzoate at
Hosptial of Wuhan University,
physiological dose was done by hypodermic injection to every group’s mice. After
Wuhan, P.R.China.
4. Department of Pharmacy, 72h, drug gels were separately injected into the mice’s vaginas, while
Tongji Hospital, Tongji immunohistochemistry and Western blot were taken to detect the expression of the 3
Medical College, Huazhong indexes in mice’s vaginas respectively after 24h and 72h of gel injection.
University of Science and
Results: The differences in the three indexes between normal control group and
Technology, Wuhan,
P.R..China. blank gel group were not significant statistically (p>0.05). The expression of the
three indexes in 12% N-9 gel group was decreased compared to that in blank gel
Corresponding Author: group (p<0.05). The differences in the three indexes between N-9 berberine plural
CHEN Zhuo, Department of
gel group and blank gel group were not significant statistically (p>0.05). Also, the
Integrated Traditional Chinese and
Western Medicine, Tongji three index's level of 24h and 72h in sub observation groups after treatment were
Hospital, Tongji Medical College, without statistical significance (p>0.05).
Huazhong University of Science Conclusion: Application of N-9 berberine plural gel had little impact on
and Technology, Wuhan,
antimicrobial peptides in normal mice’s vaginas.
(430030), China.
Email: [email protected]
Tel/Fax: [phone]

Received: 26 July 2012
Accepted: 23 January 2013 Key words: Vagina, Anti-infective agents, Mice, Berberine, Nonoxynol-9.

Introduction widely by women with child-bearing age,
because of their excellent features, such as
R eproductive tract infections (RTIs) reversibility, voluntary selectivity. As the most
were a serious public health common topical contraceptive, Nonoxynol-9
problem in most parts of the world. (N-9) may fight against some pathogens of
The World Health Organization RTIs, but it both stimulated vaginal mucosa
(WHO) reckoned that each day one million and broke the balance of vaginal normal flora
people acquired a sexually transmitted at the same time, which limited its use.
infection/ RTI, which has reached epidemic Vaginal agents with dual function of
proportions throughout the world (1). Failure prevention of RTIs and contraception were
to combating RTIs at early stage may result in gradually focused by researchers (2-6).
severe complications, including endometritis, Our pre-clinical research found that a new
uterine sinechiae, salpingitis, pelvic compound N-9 berberine plural gel not only
inflammatory disease, as well as female places good synergism of spermicidal,
infertility. Topical contraceptives were adopted contraceptive effect and bacteriostatic,
Yuan et al
bactericidal activity, but reduce side effects of University of Science and Technology Ethics
N-9 (7-11). Female reproductive tract (FRT) Committee- Approval number 2012-1203.
was a unique immunological site that is 100 female BABL/C mice were randomly
required to protect the mucosa form a variety divided into five groups, with 20 mice in each
of pathogens. A number of broad-spectrum group. That is, normal control group, blank gel
antimicrobial peptides presented in it group (stroma control group) (0.3mg/ml), 12%
prevented and reduced infection by directly N-9 gel group , berberine gel group and N-9
interfering with the infectivity of the pathogen berberine plural gel group (0.3mg/ml, 50mg
or indirectly recruiting innate and adaptive berberine +10%N-9), while each group was
immune cells to FRT (12). Imitating the clinical divided into two sub observation groups,
application of it, N-9 berberine plural gel was which were 24h and 72h after treatment.
applied for one time to acquire the influence Animals were housed in a temperture- and
on antimicrobial peptides of mice’s vaginal light- controlled room with 12 h light/dark
flora, including secretory leukocyte protease intervals, with free access to food and water.
inhibitor (SLPI), lactoferrin (LF) and surfactant
protein D (SP-D). Therefore, the specific Before administration, each mouse was
objective of this study was to evaluate effects treated with the entry of oestrus
of N-9 berberine plural gel on antimicrobial Before 72h of administration, each mouse
peptides of mice’s vaginal flora, including was injected with Estradiol Benzoate (E ) as
2
secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), pretreatment. E was indicated every other
2
lactoferrin (LF) and surfactant protein D (SP- day until the end of the experiment (13). In
D) when applied vaginally for one time. 24h observation group after treatment, groups
were injected E on the first day of the
2
Materials and methods experiment, and once on the third and the fifth
day. On the fourth day, vaginal administration
Drug and main reagent was conducted, after 24h of which, the mice
Carbomer was taken as stroma and added were killed by CO2 asphyxiation for sampling;
into berberine or N-9 berberine in a certain in 72h observation group after treatment,
proportion, so as to prepare drug gel; blank groups were injected E2 on the first, third, fifth
gel was also prepared with carbomer as and seventh day. Vaginal administration was
stroma in the same proportion. The five gels conducted on the fourth day of injection, after
above were provided by the Department of 72h of which, the mice were killed by the
Pharmacy of Tongji Medical College of same method.
Huangzhong University of Science and
Technology (Hubei, China); pH=5.0 of all gels Mice’s vaginal administration
was adjusted by NaOH. Estradiol Benzoate In all observation groups, 20μL
(E ) injection（1mg/ml，KingYork Amino Acid corresponding drug gel was indicated
2
Co., Ltd); rabbit anti-SLPI, goat anti-LF intravaginally for one time. The mice were
polyclonal antibody, mouse anti-SP-D upside down, so as to make sure that the drug
monoclonal antibody, GAPDH antibody and β- was completely contacted with vaginal
actin antibody were purchased from Santa mucosa. In normal control group, normal
Cruz Company; protein Marker (Fermentas saline at the same amount was injected into
Company American); SP mice’s vaginas, and the same operation was
Immunohistochemistry kit and DAB color kit done.
was bought from Zhongshan Goldenbridge
Biotechnology Limited Company. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining
A part of vaginal slice in all observation
Animals and grouping groups were being HE stained. The variations
Animal ethical approval was obtained for of the pathology in mice vaginas were
the experiments reported in this study: observed under an optical microscope.
approved by Experimental Animal Center of
Tongji Medical College of Huazhong Immunohistochemistry
University of Science and Technology- Slices of mice vaginas from all observation
Approval number 00000485 and by the Tongji groups were taken out to determine SLPI and
hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong SP-D, LF positive expression by
566 Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013
The effect of Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel on vaginal antimicrobial peptides
immunohistochemistry SP method, and the obvious abnormality in morphological changes
method explained by Kumar et al (14). PBS of the mice’s vaginas in 24h and 72h of
was used as a negative control instead of observation group after treatment (Figure 1B,
primary antibodies. The first antibodies were 1C).
rabbit anti- SLPI or goat anti-LF polyclonal
antibody, mouse anti-SP-D monoclonal SLPI, SP-D and LF protein expression level
antibody (at a dilution of 1:1000). Under Nikon Immunohistochemistry staining results are
optical microscope, positive signals were shown in Figure 2, 4, 6. It was found that SLPI
presented as yellowish-brown or brown SP-D and LF of all observation groups
particles. The image analysis was conducted expressed in the endochylema and cell
by Image Pro Plus 5.0, so as to determine membrane of vaginal epithelial tissues,
positive material expression areas and presenting to be brown particles.
integral optical density. There was no statistical significance of
positive expression level of the three indexes
Western blot detection between normal control group and blank gel
Referring to the instruction of kits, vaginal group in either 24h or 72h (p=0.420, 0.135
tissues of each group’s mice were taken and and 0.508 respectively in 24h, p=0.508, 0.383
added into tissue lysate. Bradford method was and 0.788 respectively in 72h) (Figure 2A,
used to measure protein concentration. In per Figure 4A, Figure 6A), while compared the
sample, 50μg 10% or 15% of SDS-PAGE expression of N-9 berberine plural gel group
were taken and wet electro-transferred to with blank gel group, the difference was
Nitrocellulose membrane. The membrane was without statistical significance (p=0.181, 0.533
sealed into 5% skimmed milk powder for 2h at and 0.258 respectively in 24h sub observation
room temperature, and then added into groups, p=0.863, 0.247 and 0.549 respectively
primary antibodies at a dilution 1:1000. It was in 72h sub observation groups) (Figure 2B,
left overnight at 4oC. 2C; Figure 4B, 4C; Figure 6B, 6C). However,
After washing the membrane, goat anti- expression level of 12% N-9 gel group
rabbit second antibody or monkey anti-goat reduced compared to that of blank gel group
second antibody marked with HRP was (p=0.000 in both 24h and 72h sub observation
added(diluted according to 1: 5000), being groups) (Figure 2B, 2C; Figure 4B, 4C; Figure
incubated for 2h at room temperature. It was 6B, 6C).
developed and exposed by adding ECL after When Western blot method was used,
washing the membrane, and film was target strips can be detected at 11.7 KDa, 47
developed. In order to calculate the relative KDa and 78 KDa (Figure 3，Figure 5, Figure
content value of SLPI, LF and SP-D，integral 7）in all observation groups. The difference of
value of protein banding′s optical density was three index was without statistical significance
analyzed by American Bio-Rad Quantity One. between normal control group and blank gel
group in either 24h or 72h (p=0.367, 0.239
Statistical analysis and 0.915 respectively in 24h, p= 0.278, 0.945
All the experiments were repeated 3 times. and 0.471 respectively in 72h) (Figure
SPSS 17.0 statistical software was adapted to 3A，3B; Figure 5A, 5B; Figure 7A, 7B); the
process data, while all experimental measured
expression level of the three indexes in 12%
values were displayed by mean±SD. The data N-9 gel group was decreased as compared
was subjected to one-way ANOVA test, while
with those in blank gel group (p=0.000, 0.002
p<0.05 was considered to be significant.
and 0.000 respectively in 24h sub observation

groups, p=0.000 in 72 sub observation
Results
groups) (Figure 3A，3B; Figure 5A, 5B;

Figure 7A, 7B); there was no statistical
Vagina HE staining
significance in expression level of the three
In all groups, surface middle lamella and
index between N-9 berberine plural gel group
stratum basale of mice vaginal stratified
and blank gel group (p=0.185, 0.586 and
epithelium arranged regularly and equally; cell
0.636 respectively in 24h sub observation
boundary was clear; structure was normal in
groups, p=0.214,0.979 and 1.000 respectively
both nucleus and cytoplasm; mucosa did not
in 72 sub observation groups), while the three
show inflammation (Figure 1). There was no
Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013 567
Yuan et al
protein expression level between N-9 24h observation group after treatment and
berberine plural gel group and 12% N-9 group corresponding 72h observation group after
were of statistical significance (p= 0.000,0.004 treatment was also without statistical
and 0.000 respectively in 24h sub observation significance (p values are shown in Figure 3C,
groups, p= 0.000,0.000 and 0.002 respectively Figure 5C, Figure 7C respectively). The
in 72h sub observation groups) (Figure results above indicated that vaginal
3A，3B; Figure 5A, 5B; Figure 7A, 7B). administration of N-9 berberine plural gel had
Our findings also demonstrated that the little effect on the expression of SLPI SP-D
expression of SLPI, SP-D and LF between and LF level in mice vaginas.

Figure 1. Histology of all observation groups’ vaginas under HE staining. (Magnification×200)
(A) mice vaginas in blank gel groups in vivo;
(B) mice vaginas in 24 sub observation groups in vivo;
(C) mice vaginas in 72 sub observation groups in vivo.
S: surface, ML: middle lamella, SB: stratum basale.
568 Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013
The effect of Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel on vaginal antimicrobial peptides

Figure 2. Immunohistochemical detection of SLPI-producing cells in mice’s vaginal tissue.
The endochylema and cell membrane of epithelial cells in mice’s vaginas are intensely stained.
(A) Representative immunohistochemical staining in blank gel group. Data about average optical density comparisons are shown in
following bar chart (*,**p >0.05 versus normal control group).
(B) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 24 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05versus blank gel group; # p<0.05 versus blank gel group).
(C) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 72 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05 versus blank gel group ; # p <0.05 versus blank gel group).
Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013 569
Yuan et al

Figure 3. Western blotting of SLPI protein in mice’s vaginal tissue.
Western blot method was detected SLPI protein of mice’s vaginal tissue and the protein was detected at 11.7KDa; each lane of
protein signal corresponded to one label in the abscissa axis of following bar chart.
(A) Representative western blotting of SLPI in 24 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are
shown in the bar chart (below) (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05
versus blank gel group).
(B) Representative western blotting of SLPI in 72 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are
shown in the bar chart (below). (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05
versus blank gel group)
(C) Data about gray data ratio comparisons between 24 and 72 sub observation groups are shown in the bar chart.\
570 Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013
The effect of Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel on vaginal antimicrobial peptides

Figure 4. Immunohistochemical detection of LF-producing cells in mice’s vaginal tissue.
The endochylema and cell membrane of epithelial cells in mice’s vaginas are intensely stained.
(A) Representative immunohistochemical staining in blank gel group. Data about average optical density comparisons are shown in
following bar chart (*,**p >0.05 versus normal control group).
(B) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 24 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05versus blank gel group; # p<0.05 versus blank gel group).
(C) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 72 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05 versus blank gel group).
Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013 571
Yuan et al

Figure 5. Western blotting of LF protein in mice’s vaginal tissue.
Western blot method was detected LF protein of mice’s vaginal tissue and the protein was detected at 78KDa; each lane of protein
signal corresponded to one label in the abscissa axis of following bar chart.
(A) Representative western blotting of LF in 24 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are shown in
the bar chart (below) (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05 versus

blank gel group).
(B) Representative western blotting of LF in 72 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are shown in
the bar chart (below). (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05 versus
blank gel group)
(C) Data about gray data ratio comparisons between 24 and 72 sub observation groups are shown in the bar chart.
572 Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013
The effect of Nonoxynol-9 berberine plural gel on vaginal antimicrobial peptides

Figure 6. Immunohistochemical detection of SP-D-producing cells in mice’s vaginal tissue.
The endochylema and cell membrane of epithelial cells in mice’s vaginas are intensely stained.
(A) Representative immunohistochemical staining in blank gel group. Data about average optical density comparisons are shown in
following bar chart (*,**p >0.05 versus normal control group).
(B) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 24 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05versus blank gel group; # p<0.05 versus blank gel group).
(C) Representative immunohistochemical staining in 72 sub observation groups. Data about average optical density comparisons are

shown in following bar chart (*p >0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05 versus blank gel group).
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Yuan et al

Figure 7. Western blotting of SP-D protein in mice’s vaginal tissue.
Western blot method was detected SP-D protein of mice’s vaginas in five groups and the protein was detected at 47 KDa; each lane
of protein signal corresponded to one label in the abscissa axis of following bar chart.
(A) Representative western blotting of SP-D in 24 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are shown
in the bar chart (below) (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05

versus blank gel group).
(B) Representative western blotting of LF in 72 sub observation groups (above). Data about gray data ratio comparisons are shown in
the bar chart (below). (p>0.05, normal control group versus blank gel group; * p > 0.05 versus blank gel group; # p <0.05 versus
blank gel group)
(C) Data about gray data ratio comparisons between 24 and 72 sub observation groups are shown in the bar chart.

574 Iranian Journal of Reproductive Medicine Vol. 11. No. 7. pp: 565-576, July 2013