OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing yin removing fire Chinese herbs (NYRF-CH) on the gene expression of hypothalamic growth hormone secretion peptide (Ghrelin) and its receptor growth hormone secretion peptide receptor 1alpha (GHSR1-alpha) at the puberty onset of danazol induced female precocious rats.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group (N), the model group (M), the normal saline intervention group (NS), and the NYRFCH intervention group (NI), 10 in each group. 300 microg danazol was subcutaneously injected to all rats except those in the N group to prepare precocious rat model. NYRFCH and normal saline was respectively administered to rats in the NI and the NS group from the 15th day old for 7-10 days. No treatment was given to rats in the N group. Time of rats' vulva opening was recorded. Ovary index and uterus index were calculated. Peripheral blood levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamic contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as the gene expression of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha were determined. Results Compared with the N group, the vulva opening time was advanced in the model group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index, hypothalamic contents of GnRH increased; peripheral blood FSH levels and mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the M group and the NS group, the vulva opening time was not advanced in the NI group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index and hypothalamic contents of GnRH obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha increased (all P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the hypothalamic contents of Ghrelin, or the number and activity of GHSR1-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNYRFCH had regulatory effect on regulating hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha at gene transcription levels.