Effect of anti-NGF on ovarian expression of alpha1- and beta2-adrenoceptors, TrkA, p75NTR, and tyrosine hydroxylase in rats with steroid-induced polycystic ovaries

High Fat Diet Exaggerate Metabolic and Reproductive PCOS Features by Promoting Oxidative Stress: An Improved EV Model in Rats

Background and Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent multifactorial endocrinopathy affecting women in the reproductive period, often associated with infertility and metabolic disorders. The use of animal models helps to better understand etiopathogenesis, enabling the examination of the effects of certain drugs in order to discover the best possible therapeutic approach. We tried to investigate the additional effect of estradiol-valerate (EV) and high-fat diet (HFD) in female rats to explore PCOS-related alterations with special focus on oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into three groups: control group (CTRL, n = 6), estradiol-valerate group (EV, n = 6), and estradiol-valerate group on HFD (EV + HFD, n = 6). PCOS was induced by single subcutaneous injection of long-acting EV in a dose of 4 mg/per rat. We tried to improve the metabolic characteristics of the PCOS animal model by adding HFD, so the CTRL and EV group had a regular diet, while the EV + HFD group had HFD during the induction period of 60 days. Results: We observed alterations of anthropometric parameters and hormonal disturbances, along with estrus cycle impairment reassembly to obese-type PCOS phenotype. Moreover, glucose metabolism was impaired after addition of HFD to EV protocol, contrary to EV administered alone. Histological analysis confirmed more numerous cystic follicles after the combination of EV and HFD protocol. The alterations of oxidative stress markers could be related to and serve as the mechanistic base for development of PCOS-related endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic properties. Conclusions: The additive effect of EV and HFD was obvious in the majority of the parameters observed. Our study strongly demonstrated metabolic as well as reproductive properties of PCOS in rats.

Scientific Statement on the Diagnostic Criteria, Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Molecular Genetics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous and complex disorder that has both adverse reproductive and metabolic implications for affected women. However, there is generally poor understanding of its etiology. Varying expert-based diagnostic criteria utilize some combination of oligo-ovulation, hyperandrogenism, and the presence of polycystic ovaries. Criteria that require hyperandrogenism tend to identify a more severe reproductive and metabolic phenotype. The phenotype can vary by race and ethnicity, is difficult to define in the perimenarchal and perimenopausal period, and is exacerbated by obesity. The pathophysiology involves abnormal gonadotropin secretion from a reduced hypothalamic feedback response to circulating sex steroids, altered ovarian morphology and functional changes, and disordered insulin action in a variety of target tissues. PCOS clusters in families and both female and male relatives can show stigmata of the syndrome, including metabolic abnormalities. Genome-wide association studies have identified a number of candidate regions, although their role in contributing to PCOS is still largely unknown.

Acupuncture: is it effective for treatment of insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance (IR) is closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcohol fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome and is also a risk factor for serious diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. Pharmacological treatments available for IR are limited by drug adverse effects. Because acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years in China, it has been increasingly used worldwide for IR-related diseases. This review analyses 234 English publications listed on the PubMed database between 1979 and 2009 on the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for IR. These publications provide clinical evidence, although limited, in support of the effectiveness of acupuncture in IR. At this stage, well-designed, evidence-based clinical randomized controlled trial studies are therefore needed to confirm the effects of acupuncture on IR. Numerous experimental studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can correct various metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, overweight, hyperphagia, hyperlipidemia, inflammation, altered activity of the sympathetic nervous system and insulin signal defect, all of which contribute to the development of IR. In addition, acupuncture has the potential to improve insulin sensitivity. The evidence has revealed the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of acupuncture, though further investigations are warranted.

HemoHIM improves ovarian morphology and decreases expression of nerve growth factor in rats with steroid-induced polycystic ovaries

Estradiol valerate (EV)-induced polycystic ovaries (PCOs) in rats cause the anovulation and cystic ovarian morphology. We investigated whether treatment with HemoHIM influences the ovarian morphology and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in an EV-induced PCO rat model. PCO was induced by a single intramuscular injection of EV (4 mg, dissolved in sesame oil) in adult cycling rats. HemoHIM was either administered orally (100 mg/kg of body weight/day) for 35 consecutive days or injected intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg of body weight) every other day after EV injection. Ovarian morphology was almost normalized, and NGF was normalized in the PCO + HemoHIM group. HemoHIM lowered the high numbers of antral follicles and increased the number of corpora lutea in PCOs. The results are consistent with a beneficial effect of HemoHIM in the prevention and treatment of PCO syndrome.

Expression and function of G-protein-coupled receptorsin the male reproductive tract

This review focuses on the expression and function of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), α1-adrenoceptors and relaxin receptors in the male reproductive tract. The localization and differential expression of mAChR and α1-adrenoceptor subtypes in specific compartments of the efferent ductules, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle and prostate of various species indicate a role for these receptors in the modulation of luminal fluid composition and smooth muscle contraction, including effects on male fertility. Furthermore, the activation of mAChRs induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the Sertoli cell proliferation. The relaxin receptors are present in the testis, RXFP1 in elongated spermatids and Sertoli cells from rat, and RXFP2 in Leydig and germ cells from rat and human, suggesting a role for these receptors in the spermatogenic process. The localization of both receptors in the apical portion of epithelial cells and smooth muscle layers of the vas deferens suggests an involvement of these receptors in the contraction and regulation of secretion.

Immunolocalization of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in rat and human epididymis

Immunohistochemistry was conducted to analyze the cellular localization of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors along rat and human epididymis. ADR-A, a polyclonal antibody that recognizes the specific C-terminal region of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors, immunostained this adrenoceptor subtype in smooth muscle cells surrounding the epididymal tubules and interstitial blood vessels and in subpopulations of epithelial cells from adult rat and human caput and cauda epididymidis. The same cell types from rat epididymidis were immunostained by ADR-1, a polyclonal antibody that recognizes a common region of the three alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes, alpha(1A), alpha(1B), and alpha(1D). Immunostaining with both antibodies was also conducted in adult rat and human vas deferens and seminal vesicle used as positive controls because of the abundance of alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors in these tissues. ADR-A- and ADR-1-positive immunostaining was differentially distributed depending on the antibody, method of tissue fixation (Bouin-fixed and fresh frozen tissues), species (rat and human), tissue (caput and cauda epididymidis), and age (immature and adult rats) analyzed. This is the first report immunolocalizing alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor along rat and human epididymis. The presence of this adrenoceptor subtype in epididymal smooth muscle and epithelial cells indicates their contribution to smooth muscle contractile responses and a possible role in the absorptive and/or secretory activities of the epithelium lining the epididymal duct. Taken together, our results should contribute to a better understanding of the physiological role of alpha(1)-adrenoceptors in the epididymidis and the importance of the sympathetic nervous system for male (in)fertility.

Acupuncture in polycystic ovary syndrome: current experimental and clinical evidence

This review describes the aetiology and pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and evaluates the use of acupuncture to prevent and reduce symptoms related with PCOS. PCOS is the most common female endocrine disorder and it is strongly associated with hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction and obesity. PCOS increases the risk for metabolic disturbances such as hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, hypertension and an increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular risk factors and impaired mental health later in life. Despite extensive research, little is known about the aetiology of PCOS. The syndrome is associated with peripheral and central factors that influence sympathetic nerve activity. Thus, the sympathetic nervous system may be an important factor in the development and maintenance of PCOS. Many women with PCOS require prolonged treatment. Current pharmacological approaches are effective but have adverse effects. Therefore, nonpharmacological treatment strategies need to be evaluated. Clearly, acupuncture can affect PCOS via modulation of endogenous regulatory systems, including the sympathetic nervous system, the endocrine and the neuroendocrine system. Experimental observations in rat models of steroid-induced polycystic ovaries and clinical data from studies in women with PCOS suggest that acupuncture exert long-lasting beneficial effects on metabolic and endocrine systems and ovulation.