Neuropeptide W protects against ovarian oxidative injury and reinforces ovarian steroidogenic activity via the upregulation of ERα expression

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of neuropeptide W (NPW) on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative injury and ovarian steroid metabolism.

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into control and ischemia groups that received either saline or NPW (0.1 or 5 μg/kg/day). Bilateral ovarian ischemia was performed for 3 h followed by a 72-h reperfusion. Blood, ovary, and uterus samples were collected for biochemical and histological assessments.

KEY FINDINGS

Treatment with either dose of NPW alleviated oxidative injury of the ovaries with a significant suppression in free radical formation and decreased histopathological injury in both the ovarian and uterine tissues, along with reduced lipid peroxidation and neutrophil accumulation in the uterus. Moreover, NPW treatment reversed the decrease in aromatase expression with a concomitant reduction in the expression of the inactivity enzyme estrogen sulfotransferase. Also, downregulation of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) expression in the injured ovarian tissue was abolished by NPW treatment, which implicates that the protective effect of NPW on the female reproductive system may involve the upregulation of the ERα-mediated signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated for the first time that NPW protects against ovarian oxidative injury and reinforces ovarian steroidogenic activity, which is accompanied by the upregulation of ERα expression in the ovaries.

Rutin promotes activation and reduces apoptosis of primordial follicles by regulating Akt phosphorylation after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue

The aims of this study were to analyze the effects of different concentrations of rutin on primordial follicle survival and development after in vitro culture of sheep ovarian tissue, and to verify the possible involvement of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in the rutin actions. Ovarian fragments were fixed for histological analysis (fresh control) or cultured in α-minimum essential medium alone (α-MEM⁺: control medium) or in α-MEM⁺supplemented with different concentrations of rutin (0.1; 1 or 10 μg/mL) for 7 days. Inhibition of the PI3K activity was performed in fragments cultured with 50 μM LY294002. Thereafter, immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of cleaved caspase-3 (apoptosis) and Akt phosphorylation (p-Akt). The results showed that 1 μg/mL rutin has a greater percentage of normal follicles (P < 0.05) than those of α-MEM⁺ and other rutin treatments. In addition, 1 μg/mL rutin maintained the follicular apoptosis similar (P > 0.05) to that of the fresh control and lower than α-MEM⁺ and 10 μg/mL rutin. All rutin concentrations increased (P < 0.05) follicular activation compared to fresh control and α-MEM⁺. Furthermore, follicular and oocyte diameters increased (P < 0.05) only after culture with 1 μg/mL rutin. After PI3K inhibition, there was a reduction (P < 0.05) of rutin follicular effects. In conclusion, rutin at 1 μg/mL reduces apoptosis, promotes activation and growth of sheep primordial follicles through the modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue.

Polyphenols: Natural compounds with promising potential in treating polycystic ovary syndrome

Polyphenols are natural compounds used by plants as a defense system against various stresses. In recent years, the importance of these polyhydroxyphenols has extensively increased due to their potent cardioprotection, anti-carcinogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, various studies have reported promising results from the studies investigating their efficacy as a therapeutic strategy in various disorders such as human malignancies, cardiovascular diseases, nervous system impairments, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, aging, and inflammation-associated disorders, as well as a polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Since oxidative stress, hormonal, metabolic, and endocrine disturbances have been shown to play a crucial role in the initiation/progression of PCOS, polyphenols are suggested to be an effective treatment for this disorder. Therefore, this study aimed to discuss the therapeutic potential of multiple polyphenols in PCOS.