OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Compound Salvia miltiorrhiza Injection (CSI) on aquaporin 3 (AQP3) expression in human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), and to explore its mechanisms for treating oligohydramnios.

METHODSThe hAECs selected from 8 human term pregnancies with oligohydramnios and no other complications (as the test group)and 8 human term pregnancies with normal amniotic fluid volume (as the control group) were primarily cultured. The mRNA and protein expressions of AQP3 in hAECs were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot with various concentrations of CSI (0.000, 0.001, 0.010, 0.020, 0.060, and 0.100 mg/mL, respectively) at different time points (0, 6, 12,24, and 48 h, respectively).

RESULTS(1) Compared with the control group, the AQP3 expression was down-regulated in the test group (P < 0.05). (2) The AQP3 expression in the two groups reached the peak when the concentration of CSI was 0.010 mg/mL, showing statistical difference when compared with other concentrations (P < 0.05). (3) The AQP3 expression reached the peak when 0.010 mg/mL CSI acted for 12 h, showing statistical difference when compared with other concentrations (P < 0.05). (4) The AQP3 expression was up-regulated in the two groups when 0.010 mg/mL CSI acted for 12 h. But the up-regulated AQP3 expression was more obvious in the test group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCSI could regulate the AQP3 expression in hAECs. CSI showed more obvious effects on the AQP3 expression in hAECs of oligohydramnios human term pregnancies.