Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR) refers to a reduction in the number of recruitable follicles in the ovaries and/or a decline in oocyte quality. Current research on its etiology and treatment remains unsatisfactory. This study will be conducted as a single-center, prospective, parallel, randomized, controlled clinical trial in DOR patients. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to three groups: LLLT (acupoint photodynamic therapy) + placebo (Dingkun Dan Simulant), LLLT (acupoint photodynamic therapy) + Chinese medicine (Dingkun Dan), and Chinese medicine (Dingkun Dan) alone. Clinical data and serum metabolomics will be assessed at baseline and after the 3-month treatment.
Ovarian reserve can reflect a woman's fertility and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology. If not treated promptly, it may progress to Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) within 1 to 6 years, severely affecting a woman's physical and mental health. Studies have found that the incidence of DOR in the female population is approximately 10%, while the prevalence of DOR among infertile women is about 24%, showing an increasing trend year by year and affecting younger age groups. Extensive studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine, as well as integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatments, have certain therapeutic effects on DOR in clinical practice. Early intervention for DOR can improve ovarian reserve function and increase the pregnancy rate. This study will be conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Eligible subjects will be randomly assigned to three groups: Combination Therapy Group, Photodynamic Therapy Group, Chinese Medicine Group. After three months of treatment, the study will conduct clinical and metabolomics-based research on DOR patients to: (1) Clarify the role and efficacy of acupoint photodynamic therapy, both alone and in combination with Chinese medicine, in improving or enhancing the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on ovarian reserve function. (2) Explore new metabolic biomarkers for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of ovarian reserve function. (3) Identify the distinct metabolic pathways through which acupoint photodynamic therapy and Chinese medicine improve ovarian reserve function. (4) Establish an integrated biomarker index system for the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of DOR using acupoint photodynamic therapy and traditional Chinese medicine, and elucidate the mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamic material basis for improving ovarian reserve function.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
90
Dingkun Dan 7g, twice daily (bid) for 21 days per month, administered orally for 3 treatment cycles.
LLLT: The acupoint phototherapy device, with a peak wavelength of 630nm ± 20nm and an output optical power of 1-2.5mW, was used. Treatment commenced after the end of the menstrual period, once daily for 20 minutes per session, for 5 days (constituting one treatment cycle). After a 2-day interval, the next treatment cycle began, continuing until the onset of the next menstruation.
Placebo: Simulated Dingkun Dan preparation, 7g, twice daily (bid) for 21 days per month, administered orally for 3 treatment cycles.
Peking union medical college hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
RECRUITINGChange in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration
Change in serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration, measured as the difference from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration
Change in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration, measured as the difference from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in antral follicle count (AFC)
Change in antral follicle count (AFC), measured as the difference from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in serum concentrations of biochemical markers
Changes in serum concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), endothelin (ET), nitric oxide (NO), β-endorphin, and oxytocin (OT), measured as the change from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in menstrual blood loss assessed by the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC)
Change in menstrual blood loss assessed using the Pictorial Blood Loss Assessment Chart (PBAC), a validated semi-quantitative scale ranging from 0 to \>500, with higher scores indicating greater menstrual blood loss, measured as the change from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score for menstrual disorders
Change in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score for menstrual disorders assessed using a quantitative TCM syndrome differentiation scale for menstrual disorders, consisting of major and minor symptom items. The total score ranges from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater symptom severity, measured as the change from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
Change in health-related quality of life
Change in health-related quality of life assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a validated questionnaire with domain scores ranging from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life, measured as the change from baseline.
Time frame: At 3 months after treatment initiation.
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