MIF May Participate in Pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Rats through MAPK Signalling Pathway

The role of macrophages in polycystic ovary syndrome: A review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among fertile women, which is influenced by genetics and environment. A recent study revealed that PCOS patients were in a chronic inflammatory state, and they had abnormally activated macrophages. This paper introduces the relationship between PCOS and macrophages. The forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO-1), migration inhibitory factor, sympathetic conservation disorder, and vitamin D are believed to influence macrophages in PCOS. There is evidence that PCOS-associated abnormalities are associated with macrophages, including insulin resistance, obesity, hyperandrogenism (HA), hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), cardiometabolic disorder and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This review summarizes the research status of macrophages in PCOS. Macrophages might be a potential PCOS treatment candidate.

Impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance in a prenatally-androgenized rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome in later life

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine disorders in reproductive-aged women, is associated with metabolic disturbances. The present study aimed to examine changes in body weight (BW) and glucose and insulin tolerance in a prenatally-androgenized (PNA) rat model of PCOS compared to control with increasing age. Pregnant rats in the experimental group were subcutaneously injected with 5 mg of free testosterone on the 20th day of pregnancy, while the control group received the solvent. Female offspring of both groups, PNA rats (rat model of PCOS) and control, were examined in terms of changes in BW, glucose and insulin tolerance at 3, 6, 12 and 20 months of age. BW at birth (6.53 ± 0.89 vs. 5.60 ± 1.18 g; P = 0.038), 15 (25 ± 1.15 vs. 22.36 ± 3.98 g; P = 0.019) and 30 (59.37 ± 10.19 vs.49.9 ± 9.39 g; P = 0.022) days of age was significantly increased in the rat model of PCOS compared to control, but no significant differences were observed in BW of the rat model of PCOS compared to control at 60 (P = 0.155) and 75 (P = 0.932) days or at 3 (P = 0.239), 6 (P = 0.782), 12 (P = 0.755) and 20 (P = 0.092) months of age. Rat model of PCOS showed impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) at 3 months of age (P = 0.020) and insulin resistance (IR) with increasing age (3-20 months of age) compared to control. Increased BW before puberty, IGT at 3 months of age and IR with increasing age were observed in our rat model of PCOS. This rat model may contribute to a better understanding of underlying mechanisms of changes in BW, IGT and IR in future studies.

Efferocytosis and infertility: Implications for diagnosis and therapy

Recent research has shed light on the intricate connection between efferocytosis and infertility, revealing its dysregulation as a contributing factor in various reproductive diseases. Despite the multifaceted nature of infertility etiology, the impact of insufficient clearance of apoptotic cells on fertility has emerged as a focal point. Notably, the removal of apoptotic cells through phagocytosis in the female reproductive system has been a subject of extensive investigation in the field of infertility. Additionally, special functions performed by immune system cell types, such as macrophages and Sertoli cells, in the male reproductive system underscore their significance in spermatogenesis and the efferocytosis of apoptotic germ cells. Dysregulation of efferocytosis emerges as a critical factor contributing to reproductive challenges, such as low pregnancy rates, miscarriages, and implantation failures. Moreover, defective efferocytosis can lead to compromised implantation, recurrent miscarriages, and unsuccessful assisted reproductive procedures. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of efferocytosis in the context of infertility. Molecular mechanisms underlying efferocytosis, its relevance in both female and male infertility, and its implications in various reproductive diseases are elucidated. The elucidation of the intricate relationship between efferocytosis and infertility not only facilitates diagnosis but also paves the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0, PA) induces mild maternal glucose intolerance and promotes the growth of the offspring partly through up-regulating liver PPARα and MAPK signaling pathways

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common metabolic disturbances during pregnancy, which poses a serious threat to both maternal and offspring health. Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0, PA) is one of the most common odd-chain saturated fatty acids (OCS-FAs). However, its safety and nutritional value are yet to be verified. Herein, we provide a systematic assessment of the effects of PA on maternal and progeny health and insulin sensitivity for the first time. Our results showed that consumption of 1% PA during pregnancy could increase the contents of PA and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) in maternal plasma, fetal tissue and offspring plasma, but it had no effect on embryonic development. During pregnancy, PA treatment caused mild insulin resistance, while it had little effect on the maternal body composition. During lactation, PA treatment caused mild insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Maternal body fat deposition was also reduced, but the growth rate of the offspring was faster. It is worth noting that PA treatment decreased plasma and liver TG content and increased the antioxidant capacity of the offspring. The effect of PA on the transcription and expression genes in the liver of pregnant mice was investigated using RNA-seq. PPARα and MAPK signaling pathways, both closely related to lipolysis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance were significantly increased. The expression of c-JUN, ERK, JNK and P65 proteins was also significantly up-regulated. In conclusion, our results suggest that 1% PA can induce a mild decrease in the maternal glucose tolerance and lipolysis mainly by activated MAPK and PPARα signaling. Moreover, low concentrations of PA may be an effective nutrient to alleviate the oxidative stress and reduce blood lipid levels of offspring.

Prediction of shared gene signatures and biological mechanisms between polycystic ovary syndrome and asthma: Based on weighted gene coexpression network analysis

OBJECTIVE

Several clinical studies have shown an association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and asthma; however, the molecular link between these conditions remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a reanalysis and repurposing of existing databases in order to depict the common key genes, related signaling pathways, and similarity of the immune microenvironment between PCOS and asthma.

METHODS

PCOS and asthma data sets were downloaded, and common signal pathways were identified by using gene set enrichment analysis. Identified common susceptibility genes were explored by intersecting the weighted gene coexpression network analysis module genes for both diseases. Then, we performed protein-protein interaction, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of the common susceptibility genes. Finally, we analyzed the immune environment of PCOS and asthma.

RESULTS

We identified five hub genes, namely, MMP9, CDC42, CD44, CD19, and BCL2L1, and uncovered that these five hub genes showed a tendency to be upregulated in both PCOS and asthma and possessed good diagnostic ability. In addition, we revealed that both PCOS and asthma were significantly enriched in the FcεRI-mediated signaling pathway. Moreover, we found that both PCOS and asthma exhibited infiltration of similar types of immune cells, such as monocytes, suggesting that the two diseases have similar pathological features.

CONCLUSION

PCOS and asthma share common causative genes with a similar immune environment. Taken together, we uncovered previously unsuspected traits for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of PCOS and asthma in the future.

Hyperandrogenism Protects Against High Blood Pressure by Nongenomic Mechanisms and Obesity Causes Hypertension in Females with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Androgens induce vasorelaxation and reduce blood pressure in different mammals, including humans. Most women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with hyperandrogenism, are obese and exhibit hypertension; thus, the fact that androgens increase blood pressure (BP) is controversial. Our aim was to determine whether hypertension is produced by androgen excess and/or obesity.

METHODS

Experiments were performed in dehydroepiandrosterone; (DHEA, s.c)-induced PCOS model. BP from nonobese and obese rats with PCOS (fed a normal or high-fat diet, respectively) was evaluated weekly for 10 weeks by plethysmography and compared between them. We determined whether androgen receptors are responsible for androgen action on BP in rats with PCOS; a group of DHEA-treated rats was implanted with pellets of an antiandrogen and was compared with nonobese rats with PCOS. Isometric tension from aortas of nonobese and obese rats was recorded and compared to explore the integrity of the vascular endothelium when acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation on phenylephrine contraction. Additionally, BP was obtained from 30 women diagnosed with PCOS: nonobese (BMI ≤25) and obese women (BMI ≥35) and compared with healthy counterparts; 15 obese and 15 nonobese women.

RESULTS

Nonobese rats and women with PCOS showed hypotension, while obese rats and women with PCOS displayed hypertension. Healthy obese women were hypertensive and nonobese women remained normotensive. Antiandrogen did not modify the BP values in nonobese rats with PCOS, and obese rats with PCOS revealed marked endothelial dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that obesity is responsible for hypertension in PCOS and partial endothelial damage was observed, which may contribute to elevated BP. Remarkably, hyperandrogenism is capable of regulating BP to low values that are androgen receptor-independent.

Cangfu Daotan Wan alleviates polycystic ovary syndrome with phlegm-dampness syndrome via disruption of the PKP3/ERCC1/MAPK axis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Cangfu Daotan Wan (CFDTW) has been widely used for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients in the type of stagnation of phlegm and dampness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of CFDTW on PCOS with phlegm-dampness syndrome (PDS).

METHODS

In silico analysis was adopted to identify CFDTW potential targets and the downstream pathways in the treatment of PCOS. Expression of PKP3 was examined in the ovarian granulosa cells from PCOS patients with PDS and rat PCOS models induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). PKP3/ERCC1 was overexpressed or underexpressed or combined with CFDTW treatment in ovarian granulosa cells to assay the effect of CFDTW on ovarian granulosa cell functions via the PKP3/MAPK/ERCC1 axis.

RESULTS

Clinical samples and ovarian granulosa cells of rat models were characterized by hypomethylated PKP3 promoter and upregulated PKP3 expression. CFDTW reduced PKP3 expression by enhancing the methylation of PKP3 promoter, leading to proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells, increasing S and G2/M phase-arrested cells, and arresting their apoptosis. PKP3 augmented ERCC1 expression by activating the MAPK pathway. In addition, CFDTW facilitated the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and repressed their apoptosis by regulating PKP3/MAPK/ERCC1 axis.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, this study illuminates how CFDTW confers therapeutic effects on PCOS patients with PDS, which may offer a novel theranostic marker in PCOS.

MIF-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway regulates the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome in rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resulting from abnormal glucose metabolism is a relatively common and complex endocrine disorder among women in their reproductive years, However, the pathogenesis of PCOS is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) involvement of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB in rats with PCOS. Results indicated that testosterone promoted the increase in the levels of MIF and luteinizing hormone (LH) but inhibited the increase in the level of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH). The MIF antibody could alleviate the process of PCOS to a certain extent. Testosterone promoted the expression of interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α); the MIF antibody could reverse this effect. Testosterone could inhibit the expression of NF-κB protein whereas MIF antibody could promote the expression in the ovarian cytoplasm. Testosterone promoted the expression of NF-κB protein in the nucleus, this effect also could be reversed by the MIF antibody. Hyperandrogenism activated the NF-κB pathway. After using the MIF antibody, this effect was reversed. This finding suggested that hyperandrogenism activated the NF-κB pathway through MIF. In short, increased MIF levels activated the NF-κB pathway in ovaries, leading to inflammation and the increase in the levels of relevant inflammatory indicators, which might be one of the important factors in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Intergenerational high-fat diet impairs ovarian follicular development in rodents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

CONTEXT

Excessive consumption of high-fat diets has increased in the population over time and is harmful to female fertility.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and discuss the effects of a high-fat diet on ovarian follicles in rodents.

DATA SOURCE

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and SCOPUS was carried out.

DATA EXTRACTION

Study characteristics, including study design, population, intervention, outcome, and risk of bias were analyzed.

DATA ANALYSIS

Twenty-two articles were included in a systematic review. Given the availability of studies, a quantitative meta-analysis included 12 studies that were performed for outcomes. There was a decrease in primordial follicles in female rodents that received a high-fat diet compared with the standard diet group. The offspring of mothers exposed to a high-fat diet showed an increased number of cystic follicles and a decreased number of secondary follicles and antral follicles, compared with the control diet group. Therefore, these high-fat diet-induced follicular alterations might impair the fertility of dams and their female newborns.

CONCLUSION

The consumption of a high-fat diet causes damage to ovarian follicular development, and this commitment will persist in the next generation.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019133865.