Effect of sodium aescinate treatment on PCOS rat model with insulin resistance

Aescin Protects against Experimental Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Preserves Prostate Histomorphology in Rats via Suppression of Inflammatory Cytokines and COX-2

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common urogenital condition in aging males, while inflammation and tissue proliferation constitute the main pathophysiological factors. The adverse effects of currently available BPH medications limit patient compliance. We tested the protective effect of aescin against the development of BPH in rats. Methods: A total of 18 male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: control (sesame oil 1 mL/kg, s.c.); BPH (testosterone oenanthate 3 mg/kg, s.c., in sesame oil), and BPH-aescin rats (testosterone oenanthate 3 mg/kg, s.c. + aescin 10 mg/kg/day, p.o.). All treatments continued for 4 weeks. Serum and prostatic samples were harvested for biochemical and histopathological examination. Results: Induction of BPH by testosterone increased the prostate weight and prostate weight index, serum testosterone, prostate expression of inflammatory (IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2), and proliferative markers (PCNA and TGF-β1). Concurrent treatment with aescin decreased the testosterone-induced increase in prostatic IL-1β, TNF-α, and COX-2 expression by 47.9%, 71.2%, and 64.4%, respectively. Moreover, aescin reduced the prostatic proliferation markers TGF-β1 and PCNA by 58.3% and 71.9%, respectively, and normalized the prostate weight. Conclusion: The results of this study showed, for the first time, that aescin protected against the development of experimental BPH in rats via its anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects. These findings warrant further studies to clinically repurpose aescin in the management of BPH.

A Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome with Insulin Resistance Induced by Letrozole Combined with High Fat Diet

Background

Clinically, most patients of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also have insulin resistance (IR). The methods for establishing PCOS-IR animal model include using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and sodium prasterone sulfate subcutaneous injection, testosterone propionate combined with high-fat diet, and so on. This study aimed to establish an animal model of PCOS-IR using letrozole combined with a high fat diet.

Material/Methods

Study rats received 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose solution (CMC) or letrozole solution (1 mg/kg/day), with normal diet as control group and a high fat diet as the model group, for 21, 24, 27, and 30 days. The body weight and length were measured weekly. On Day 22, 25, 28 and 31, the weight, and the short and long diameters of the rat ovaries were measured, and blood samples were collected for the measurement of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T). Ovarian tissue was collected for paraffin sectioning and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Results

In model groups, rats’ weight was significantly increased (P<0.05). On Day 28 and 31, the weight, Lee’s index, and ovarian volume significantly increased compared with Day 22 (P<0.05). There were more dense transparent saclike follicles on the ovary surface under the microscope in model groups. Levels of LH/FSH, T, and TG were substantially increased (P<0.05), but levels of FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly increased (P<0.05) on Day 28 and 31 in the model groups.

Conclusions

This study implied that letrozole combined with a high fat diet for 27 days could induce the PCOS-IR rat model which has the characteristics of ovarian polycystic changes and endocrine and metabolic disorders.

Metformin and sitagliptin combination therapy ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance through upregulation of lncRNA H19

Insulin resistance (IR) is prevalent in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Improvement in insulin sensitivity remains one of the most effective treatment strategies for women with PCOS. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of the combination therapy with metformin (DMBG) and sitagliptin (TECOS) in PCOS. To address this, insulin was used to treat rat ovarian granulosa cells to establish the cellular PCOS model. Insulin and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) were subcutaneously injected into SD rats to establish a rat model of hyperandrogenism with pathogenesis similar to PCOS. Our results showed that co-treatment with TECOS and DMBG attenuated the induced apoptosis and insulin resistance (IR) in PCOS model cells, and improved reproductive hormone disorders, ovarian polycystic changes, and IR of PCOS rats. Mechanistically, upregulation of H19 by H19-expressing lentiviruses enhanced efficacy of combination therapy. Furthermore, co-treatment with TECOS and DMBG induced H19 expression via suppressing the PI3K/AKT-DNMT1 pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that combination treatment with TECOS and DMBG ameliorates PCOS with IR, at least partially, through upregulation of lncRNA H19.