Matrix metalloproteinase-9 increases and Interleukin-10 reduces with increase in body mass index in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Granulosa cell RNA-Seq insights into senescence and sphingolipid metabolism disorder in PCOS: aspirin as a potential therapeutic drug

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a pivotal cause of anovulatory infertility and the pathogenesis remains elusive. Cellular senescence and sphingolipid metabolism disorder are closely intertwined, and both have been demonstrated present within the granulosa cells of PCOS, while research on the combined impact of senescence and sphingolipids on PCOS-related anovulation is scarce.

METHODS

Here, we leveraged four datasets of PCOS and executed differential gene expression analysis, engaged in WGCNA, and harnessed machine learning algorithms-including RF, SVM-RFE, and LASSO-to deeply explore the key genes that interact with senescence and sphingolipid metabolism in granulosa cells of PCOS. These key genes were subjected to further analysis to construct a diagnostic model, forecast immune cell infiltration, and identify potential agents. Additionally, within the testosterone-stimulated granulosa cells, we validated the expression of key genes, confirmed senescence and sphingolipids dysregulation, and evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of the candidate agent.

RESULTS

Our research pinpointed a set of genes (LYN, PLCG2, STAT5B, MMP9, and IL6R) that showed promise as biomarkers for PCOS-related anovulation and the diagnostic nomogram was developed. These biomarkers were linked to various immune cell types infiltration. In testosterone-stimulated granulosa cells, we observed increased expression of these biomarkers, accompanied by signs of senescence and changes in sphingolipids. Importantly, the potential agent aspirin displayed the ability to ameliorate these two processes.

CONCLUSION

This study highlighted the important value of genes associated with senescence and sphingolipids dysregulation in PCOS. Aspirin targeting senescence could be a promising therapeutic drug for addressing anovulation associated with PCOS.

Cardiovascular Health Does Not Change Following High-Intensity Interval Training in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. First-line therapy for PCOS is lifestyle changes including exercise. We compared CVD risk factors between women with and without PCOS and examined the responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Methods: women with PCOS were randomized to HIIT (n = 41) or a non-exercise control group (n = 23) for 16 weeks. Women without PCOS (n = 15) were age- and BMI-matched to participants with PCOS and completed 16 weeks of HIIT. CVD markers included blood pressure, heart rate, flow mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and circulating concentrations of lipids, glucose, insulin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Results: resting heart rate was higher in women with PCOS than without PCOS (p =0.011) and was reduced after HIIT in women with PCOS (−2.8 beats/min, 95% CI: −5.4, −0.2, p = 0.037). FMD was not significantly different between women with PCOS (5.5%, SD 4.1) and those without PCOS (8.2%, SD 3.9) at baseline. HIIT reduced time-to-peak dilatation of the brachial artery in women with PCOS compared with women without PCOS (−55 s, 95% CI: −96, −13, p = 0.012). Conclusions: we found little difference in CVD risk factors between women with and without PCOS at baseline, but some indications of endothelial dysfunction in women with PCOS.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy ameliorates metabolic dysfunction and restores fertility in a PCOS mouse model through interleukin-10

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in reproductive-age women. Excessive inflammation and elevated androgen production from ovarian theca cells are key features of PCOS. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSC) and their secreted factors (secretome) exhibit robust anti-inflammatory capabilities in various biological systems. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of BM-hMSC and its secretome in both in vitro and in vivo PCOS models.

METHODS

For in vitro experiment, we treated conditioned media from BM-hMSC to androgen-producing H293R cells and analyzed androgen-producing gene expression. For in vivo experiment, BM-hMSC were implanted into letrozole (LTZ)-induced PCOS mouse model. BM-hMSC effect in androgen-producing cells or PCOS model mice was assessed by monitoring cell proliferation (immunohistochemistry), steroidogenic gene expression (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR] and Western blot, animal tissue assay (H&E staining), and fertility by pup delivery.

RESULTS

BM-hMSC significantly downregulate steroidogenic gene expression, curb inflammation, and restore fertility in treated PCOS animals. The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) played a key role in mediating the effects of BM-hMSC in our PCOS models. We demonstrated that BM-hMSC treatment was improved in metabolic and reproductive markers in our PCOS model and able to restore fertility.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates for the first time the efficacy of intra-ovarian injection of BM-hMSC or its secretome to treat PCOS-related phenotypes, including both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. This approach may represent a novel therapeutic option for women with PCOS. Our results suggest that BM-hMSC can reverse PCOS-induced inflammation through IL-10 secretion. BM-hMSC might be a novel and robust therapeutic approach for PCOS treatment.