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Liu YC, Wang JW, Li J, Guo Y, Han FJ, Lu WH, Wu Q. Mechanism of cryptotanshinone to improve endocrine and metabolic functions in the endometrium of PCOS rats. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 319:117346. [PMID: 37879506 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cryptotanshinone is the main bioactive component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, with various mechanisms of action, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, and hepatoprotection. Salvia miltiorrhiza is used clinically by gynecologists in China. AIM OF THE STUDY Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a significant impact on women's quality of life, leading to infertility and reproductive disorders. Hence, this study aims to assess the pharmacological activity of cryptotanshinone in the treatment of PCOS and investigate its therapeutic mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) combined with insulin is used to simulate a PCOS-like rat model and attempt to discover the abnormal changes that occur and the means by which the pathway acts in this model. RESULTS The transcriptome sequencing method is used to identify 292 differential genes that undergo significant changes, of which 219 were upregulated and 73 were downregulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the signaling pathways reveals that differential expressed genes are significantly enriched in 23 typical pathways. Estrogen signaling pathways are screened in the cryptotanshinone and model groups, and significant differential changes in Fos, ALOX12, and AQP8 are found. This suggests that these signaling pathways and molecules may be the main signaling targets for regulating the differences in endometrial tissue. CONCLUSION These results indicate that cryptotanshinone has targets for regulating the proliferation of endometrial tissue via estrogen signaling pathways in PCOS-like rats, providing an experimental basis for the clinical application of cryptotanshinone in the treatment of PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Chao Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China; Harbin Institute of Technology Hospital, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
| | - Jun-Wen Wang
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
| | - Jia Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Ying Guo
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Feng-Juan Han
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, No.26, Heping Road, Xiangfang District, Harbin, 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China.
| | - Wei-Hong Lu
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
| | - Qiong Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China.
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Lissaman AC, Girling JE, Cree LM, Campbell RE, Ponnampalam AP. Androgen signalling in the ovaries and endometrium. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad017. [PMID: 37171897 PMCID: PMC10663053 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, our understanding of hormonal regulation within the female reproductive system is largely based on our knowledge of estrogen and progesterone signalling. However, while the important functions of androgens in male physiology are well known, it is also recognized that androgens play critical roles in the female reproductive system. Further, androgen signalling is altered in a variety of gynaecological conditions, including endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, indicative of regulatory roles in endometrial and ovarian function. Co-regulatory mechanisms exist between different androgens, estrogens, and progesterone, resulting in a complex network of steroid hormone interactions. Evidence from animal knockout studies, in vitro experiments, and human data indicate that androgen receptor expression is cell-specific and menstrual cycle stage-dependent, with important regulatory roles in the menstrual cycle, endometrial biology, and follicular development in the ovaries. This review will discuss the expression and co-regulatory interactions of androgen receptors, highlighting the complexity of the androgen signalling pathway in the endometrium and ovaries, and the synthesis of androgens from additional alternative pathways previously disregarded as male-specific. Moreover, it will illustrate the challenges faced when studying androgens in female biology, and the need for a more in-depth, integrative view of androgen metabolism and signalling in the female reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbey C Lissaman
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jane E Girling
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Lynsey M Cree
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rebecca E Campbell
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Neuroendocrinology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Anna P Ponnampalam
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pūtahi Manawa-Healthy Hearts for Aotearoa New Zealand, Centre of Research Excellence, New Zealand
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Rafiee B, Karbalay-doust S, Tabei SMB, Azarpira N, Alaee S, Lohrasbi P, Bahmanpour S. Effects of N-acetylcysteine and metformin treatment on the stereopathological characteristics of uterus and ovary. Eur J Transl Myol 2022; 32. [PMID: 35535444 PMCID: PMC9295164 DOI: 10.4081/ejtm.2022.10409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the stereo-pathological effect of metformin and N-acetyl cysteine is evaluated on the uterus and ovary of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice. 96 mature females (8-weekold, weight of 20–30 gr) BALB/c mice were classified into 6 groups including the control group (n= 16), letrozole-induced PCOS group (n=16), PCOS + metformin (n=16), PCOS+NAC (n=16) and a separate control group for NAC (n=16). Another PCOS group was maintained for a month to make sure that features remain till the end of the study. Testosterone level, vaginal cytology and stereological evaluations were assessed. Vaginal cytology in letrozole-receiving mice showed a diestrus phase continuity. Testosterone level, body weight, uterine weight, endometrial volume, myometrial volume, gland volume, stromal volume, epithelial volume, vessel volume, daughter and conglomerate glands, endometrial thickness, and myometrial thickness exhibited an increasing trend in the uterus of PCOS mice. While normal gland and vessel length decreased in the PCOS group. Ovarian volume, corticomedullary volume, primary follicles, secondary follicles, and ovarian cysts were increased in PCOS ovaries. While corpus luteum, primordial, graafian, and atretic follicles showed a decline in the PCOS group. NAC and metformin, however, managed to restore the condition to normal. Given the prevalence of PCOS and its impact on fertility, the use of noninvasive methods is of crucial significance. NAC can control and treat pathological parameters and help as a harmless drug in the treatment of women with PCOS.
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Cao CH, Wei Y, Liu R, Lin XR, Luo JQ, Zhang QJ, Lin SR, Geng L, Ye SK, Shi Y, Xia X. Three-Dimensional Genome Interactions Identify Potential Adipocyte Metabolism-Associated Gene STON1 and Immune-Correlated Gene FSHR at the rs13405728 Locus in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:686054. [PMID: 34248847 PMCID: PMC8264658 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.686054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background rs13405728 was identified as one of the most prevalent susceptibility loci for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Han Chinese and Caucasian women. However, the target genes and potential mechanisms of the rs13405728 locus remain to be determined. Methods Three-dimensional (3D) genome interactions from the ovary tissue were characterized via high-through chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) and Capture Hi-C technologies to identify putative targets at the rs13405728 locus. Combined analyses of eQTL, RNA-Seq, DNase-Seq, ChIP-Seq, and sing-cell sequencing were performed to explore the molecular roles of these target genes in PCOS. PCOS-like mice were applied to verify the expression patterns. Results Generally, STON1 and FSHR were identified as potential targets of the rs13405728 locus in 3D genomic interactions with epigenomic regulatory peaks, with STON1 (P=0.0423) and FSHR (P=0.0013) being highly expressed in PCOS patients. STON1 co-expressed genes were associated with metabolic processes (P=0.0008) in adipocytes (P=0.0001), which was validated in the fat tissue (P<0.0001) and ovary (P=0.0035) from fat-diet mice. The immune system process (GO:0002376) was enriched in FSHR co-expressed genes (P=0.0002) and PCOS patients (P=0.0002), with CD4 high expression in PCOS patients (P=0.0316) and PCOS-like models (P=0.0079). Meanwhile, FSHR expression was positively correlated with CD4 expression in PCOS patients (P=0.0252) and PCOS-like models (P=0.0178). Furthermore, androgen receptor (AR) was identified as the common transcription factor for STON1 and FSHR and positively correlated with the expression of STON1 (P=0.039) and FSHR (P=4e-06) in ovary tissues and PCOS-like mice. Conclusion Overall, we identified STON1 and FSHR as potential targets for the rs13405728 locus and their roles in the processes of adipocyte metabolism and CD4 immune expression in PCOS, which provides 3D genomic insight into the pathogenesis of PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can-hui Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ye Wei
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xin-ran Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jia-qi Luo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiu-ju Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shou-ren Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lan Geng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Si-kang Ye
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Shi
- Department of Ultrasonography, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xi Xia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, China
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