Abstract

Background:
Stress is a disorder that causes an imbalance in an organism’s internal environment, which can result in negative impacts such as discomfort and even death. Stressor induction with noise exposure of more than 110 dB can result in decreased organ function and angiogenesis.

Aim:
This study aimed to determine the effect of nanocurcumin administration in pregnant mice induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the uterus.

Methods:
A post-test control group design was used with a sample of 25 female mice divided into five treatment groups. The division of the groups was based on (C−) not given treatment; (C+) induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes without being given nanocurcumin; (P1) induced by 135 dB noise for 40 minutes and given 14 mg/Kg body weight (BW) nanocurcumin; (P2) induced by noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and nanocurcumin 21 mg/Kg BW; and (P3) induced by noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and nanocurcumin 24.5 mg/Kg BW. VEGF and TGF-β expression were measured using immunohistochemistry.

Results:
Treatment 3 (P3), with exposure to noise of 135 dB for 40 minutes and administration of nanocurcumin 24.5 mg/Kg BW, increased VEGF and TGF expression by 3.55% and TGF-β expression by 1.79% compared to (C−), but P3 experienced a decrease in VEGF and TGF expression by 10.52% and TGF-β expression by 21.1% when compared to (C+).

Conclusion:
Nanocurcumin demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity by modulating VEGF and TGF-β expression in the uterus of pregnant mice exposed to high-intensity noise stress, particularly at a dose of 24.5 mg/kg BW.

Key words: Nanocurcumin; Noise; Stress; TGF-β; VEGF.