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Al-Thuwaynee S, Swadi AAJ. Comparing efficacy and safety of stair step protocols for clomiphene citrate and letrozole in ovulation induction for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Med Life 2023; 16:725-730. [PMID: 37520487 PMCID: PMC10375350 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2023-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by menstrual irregularities, high androgen levels, and ovarian cysts. Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and letrozole have both been investigated as ovulation induction therapies for PCOS. This interventional study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of a stairstep practice of letrozole versus clomiphene citrate in women with PCOS. A total of 100 women diagnosed with PCOS and infertility participated in the study, which took place from March 2021 to July 2022 at the Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Adiwaniyah Province, Iraq. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups (each with 50 women): the first group received clomiphene citrate in a stair step pattern (single dose of 50 mg, 100 mg, and 150 mg) for five days, for a maximum of three cycles; the second group received letrozole in a stair step pattern (single dose of 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mg) for five days, for a maximum of three cycles. Follicle size was monitored using ultrasound to achieve a follicle size >18 mm. The ovulation rate was higher in the letrozole group (86.0%) compared to the clomiphene citrate group (72.0%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.086). The pregnancy rate was slightly higher in the letrozole group (22.0% vs 18.0%), but also not statistically significant (p=0.617). However, the mean time from menstruation to ovulation was significantly shorter in the letrozole group (17.20±1.32 days) compared to the clomiphene citrate group (24.08 ± 1.56 days, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in common side effects between the two groups. Overall, letrozole was found to be as safe as clomiphene citrate but demonstrated a shorter time to ovulation. Further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to validate these findings and determine their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Al-Thuwaynee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq
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Akintoye OO, Ajibare AJ, Oriyomi IA, Olofinbiyi BA, Oyiza YG, Christanah AD, Babalola TK, Esther FO, Seun O, Owoyele VB. Synergistic action of carvedilol and clomiphene in mitigating the behavioral phenotypes of letrozole-model of PCOS rats by modulating the NRF2/NFKB pathway. Life Sci 2023; 324:121737. [PMID: 37127183 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psychiatric and cognitive impairment has been observed in premenopausal women with a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to explore the possibility of combining pharmacological agents: Carvedilol and Clomiphene citrate, with antiestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. METHODS PCOS was induced in rats by the administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) daily for 21 days. They were subsequently divided into four groups, each receiving either the vehicle or Clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg) or Carvedilol or a combination of Clomiphene citrate and Carvedilol, respectively from days 22-36. Neurobehavioral studies were conducted on day 35 (Elevated plus maze and Y maze) and day 36 (Novel object recognition). The serum levels of the antioxidants Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Interleukin 1B (IL-1B), and the gene expression of nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Nuclear Factor k-Beta (NFKB), and acetylcholine esterase in the frontal brain homogenate was determined. RESULT Both Carvedilol and the combination therapy reversed the anxiety-like behavior, while Clomiphene citrate and the combination therapy ameliorated the spatial and non-spatial memory impairment observed in PCOS rats. Carvedilol, Clomiphene citrate, and the combination therapy increased the serum concentration of SOD and Catalase and decreased the serum concentration of IL-1B. The combination therapy up-regulated the NRF-2, NFKB, and acetylcholine esterase gene expression. CONCLUSION Study showed that the combination of carvedilol and clomiphene citrate has anxiolytic potential and improved cognitive functions in PCOS rats. This might have been achieved by carvedilol and clomiphene citrate's ability to modulate the cholinergic system and the Nrf2 pathway while downregulating the NFκB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Isaac Adeola Oriyomi
- Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Babatunde Ajayi Olofinbiyi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Yusuf Grace Oyiza
- Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | | | | | | | - Oludipe Seun
- Physiology Department, College of Medicine, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Victor Bamidele Owoyele
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Science, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
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Acosta-Martínez M. Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis Disorders Impacting Fertility in Both Sexes and the Potential of Kisspeptin-Based Therapies to Treat Them. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 282:259-288. [PMID: 37439848 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Impaired function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis can lead to a vast array of reproductive disorders some of which are inherited or acquired, but many are of unknown etiology. Among the clinical consequences of HPG impairment, infertility is quite common. According to the latest report from the World Health Organization, the global prevalence of infertility during a person's lifetime is a staggering 17.5% which translate into 1 out of every 6 people experiencing it. In both sexes, infertility is associated with adverse health events, and if unresolved, infertility can cause substantial psychological stress, social stigmatization, and economic strain. Even though significant advances have been made in the management and treatment of infertility, low or variable efficacy of treatments and medication adverse effects still pose a significant problem. However, the discovery that in humans inactivating mutations in the gene encoding the kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1R) results in pubertal failure and infertility has expanded our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the neuroendocrine control of reproduction, opening up potential new therapies for the treatment of infertility disorders. In this chapter we provide an overview of common infertility disorders affecting men and women, their recommended treatments, and the potential of kisspeptin-based pharmacotherapies to treat them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maricedes Acosta-Martínez
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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Ge ZJ, Gioia Klinger F, Taketo T. Editorial: Intra- and extra-environment and reproduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1020470. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1020470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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5
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Recent advances of nanotechnology in the treatment and diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jddst.2022.104014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Bendarska-Czerwińska A, Zmarzły N, Morawiec E, Panfil A, Bryś K, Czarniecka J, Ostenda A, Dziobek K, Sagan D, Boroń D, Michalski P, Pallazo-Michalska V, Grabarek BO. Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:970439. [PMID: 36733805 PMCID: PMC9887196 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.970439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies - septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure - fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient's age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- American Medical Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
| | - Nikola Zmarzły
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
| | - Emilia Morawiec
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Agata Panfil
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Kamil Bryś
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | - Justyna Czarniecka
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
| | | | | | - Dorota Sagan
- Medical Center Dormed Medical SPA, Busko-Zdroj, Poland
| | - Dariusz Boroń
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, TOMMED Specjalisci od Zdrowia, Katowice, Poland
| | | | | | - Beniamin Oskar Grabarek
- Department of Molecular, Biology Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Histology, Cytophysiology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Technology, Academy of Silesia in Katowice, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Academy of Silesia, Zabrze, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with Gynecologic Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Specialized Hospital, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, TOMMED Specjalisci od Zdrowia, Katowice, Poland
- *Correspondence: Anna Bendarska-Czerwińska, ; Nikola Zmarzły, ; Beniamin Oskar Grabarek,
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Kuşçu GC, Gürel Ç, Buhur A, Oltulu F, Akman L, Köse T, Yavaşoğlu NÜK, Yavaşoğlu A. The regulatory effects of clomiphene and tamoxifen on mTOR and LC3-II expressions in relation to autophagy in experimental polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:1721-1729. [PMID: 34813001 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06981-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disease that causes infertility due to anovulation in women in reproductive age. It is known that clomiphene citrate (CC) and tamoxifen citrate (TMX) induce ovulation in women with PCOS. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CC and TMX on the autophagy pathway in PCOS. METHODS AND RESULTS Experimental PCOS model was induced by letrozole (1 mg/kg) in rats by gavage for 21 days. After the last letrozole administration, rats were treated TMX (1 mg/kg) or CC (1 mg/kg) for 5 days. At the end of the experimental procedures, rats in all groups were sacrificed and ovarian tissues were removed. It was observed that mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-II were significantly higher in TMX and CC groups than control and PCOS groups (p < 0.05), while mRNA and protein expressions of mTOR in TMX and CC groups were found significantly lower than control and PCOS groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, present study suggests that TMX and CC induce autophagy in ovaries with PCOS. Autophagy is a promising target for understanding pathophysiology of this disease and for developing more effective and safe new protocols for the treatment of PCOS-related anovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gökçe Ceren Kuşçu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Çevik Gürel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Aylin Buhur
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Fatih Oltulu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Levent Akman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Timur Köse
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Altuğ Yavaşoğlu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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Corrie L, Gulati M, Vishwas S, Kapoor B, Singh SK, Awasthi A, Khursheed R. Combination therapy of curcumin and fecal microbiota transplant: Potential treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Med Hypotheses 2021; 154:110644. [PMID: 34332209 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a combination of various symptoms like anovulation, hirsutism, chronic amenorrhea, infertility, obesity and polycystic ovaries. It affects over 7 million women worldwide. The current strategy to treat this disorder is based on the use of drugs that provide symptomatic relief. Most of these, however, exhibit numerous side effects and are not able to ameliorate all the signs and symptoms of PCOS. As dysbiosis is considered as one of the prime underlying causes of PCOS, restoration of eubiosis was considered as a plausible way to treat it. Bacteriotherpeutics like probiotics, synbiotics and even fecal microbiota transplant (FMT) have shown considerable effectiveness in PCOS. Of these baceteriotherapeutic options, FMT is considered to be the most holistic as it encompasses the bacteriome, virome, fungome, archaeome and even parasitome while both probiotics as well as synbiotics mainly comprise bacteria. Repeated FMT, however, is not a pragmatic option because of its inconvenience, lack of standardization, involved risk and scepticism amongst patients and physicians. If the eubiosis ushered by FMT is sustained for a long time, the repeated administrations of FMT can be avoided and maintenance therapy with any agent that can maintain the eubiotic condition can be adopted. Role of curcumin on gut microbiota is widely known. It is largely attributed to the ability of certain microbes to consume polyphenols as substrates and its positive effect on bacterial consumption of nutrients such as sugars. Based on various mechanisms and studies, a new hypothesis is being proposed wherein FMT and curcumin combination is predicted to be an effective and sustained treatment of PCOS with much lower rates of remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leander Corrie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Monica Gulati
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India.
| | - Sukriti Vishwas
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Bhupinder Kapoor
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Sachin Kumar Singh
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Ankit Awasthi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
| | - Rubiya Khursheed
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India
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Sakar MN, Oğlak SC. Comparison of the efficacy of letrozole stair-step protocol with clomiphene citrate stair-step protocol in the management of clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome patients. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 47:3875-3882. [PMID: 34254401 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We sought to compare the efficacy of the letrozole (LTZ) stair-step protocol with clomiphene citrate (CC) stair-step protocol in the management of 150 mg dose of CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. METHODS We retrospectively compared a total of 61 patients diagnosed as being resistant to the traditional CC protocol who were subsequently managed using the LTZ stair-step protocol with CC-resistant 56 patients who were treated with CC stair-step protocol. The number of follicles ≥18 mm, endometrial thickness, time to ovulation, clinical pregnancy rates, multiple pregnancy rates, spontaneous abortion rates, live birth rates, and systemic side effects in patients were evaluated. RESULTS The mean time to ovulation was significantly shorter in the LTZ stair-step group than the CC stair-step group (17.3 ± 7.7 and 22.4 ± 8.1 days, respectively, p < 0.001). The ovulation rate was significantly higher in patients treated with LTZ stair-step protocol than those treated with the CC stair-step protocol (83.6% and 64.2%, respectively, p = 0.007). The clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the LTZ stair-step than the CC stair-step group (32.7% and 17.8%, respectively, p = 0.015). LTZ stair-step group had a significantly higher live birth rate than that of the CC stair-step group (27.8% and 14.2%, respectively, p = 0.012). CONCLUSION The LTZ stair-step protocol revealed higher ovulation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates with a shorter time to achieve ovulation than the CC stair-step protocol. Increment of the dose in the same cycle in both protocols did not cause any additional severe side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Nafi Sakar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Memorial Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Süleyman Cemil Oğlak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University, Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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Zheng Y, Zhu Y, Zhuge T, Li B, Gu C. Metabolomics Analysis Discovers Estrogen Altering Cell Proliferation via the Pentose Phosphate Pathway in Infertility Patient Endometria. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:791174. [PMID: 34867831 PMCID: PMC8636142 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.791174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen therapy is widely used as a supplementary treatment after hysteroscopy for female infertility patients owing to its protective function that improves endometrial regeneration and menstruation, inhibits recurrent adhesions, and improves subsequent conception rate. The endometrial protective function of such estrogen administration pre-surgery is still controversial. In the current study, 12 infertility patients were enrolled, who were treated with estrogen before hysteroscopy surgery. Using cutting-edge metabolomic analysis, we observed alterations in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) intermediates of the patient's endometrial tissues. Furthermore, using Ishikawa endometrial cells, we validated our clinical discovery and identified estrogen-ESR-G6PD-PPP axial function, which promotes estrogen-induced cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingxin Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuemeng Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Zhuge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Gu, ; Bin Li,
| | - Chao Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Chao Gu, ; Bin Li,
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Nanocurcumin alleviates insulin resistance and pancreatic deficits in polycystic ovary syndrome rats: Insights on PI3K/AkT/mTOR and TNF-α modulations. Life Sci 2020; 256:118003. [PMID: 32589998 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND AIMS Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder affecting females. Mechanisms underlying PCOS complicated pathology remain largely unknown, making current treatment only symptomatic. Increasing reports suggest impaired PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels are involved in cellular proliferation and metabolism-related disorders. However, rare data explored their role in PCOS. Hence, this study investigated TNF-α and pancreatic PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels in PCOS animal model and evaluated their effects on developed pancreatic deficits. Secondly; we explored the impact of nanocurcumin as powerful anti-inflammatory supplement against these developed pancreatic pathologies. METHODS PCOS was induced in rats using letrozole. Nanocurcumin was formulated to increase solubility and bioavailability of curcumin. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential and Infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used for characterization. Nanocurcumin was orally ingested for 15 days. FINDINGS PCOS group exhibited significant disturbance in sex hormones, oxidative stress markers, and TNF-α levels as determined by immunoassay. Western blotting revealed significant reduction of PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels leading to impaired insulin sensitivity, decreased β cells function and mass as confirmed by HOMA assessments and immunohistochemistry. Nanocurcumin significantly improved oxidative markers, glucose indices and TNF-α levels. It reinstated PI3K/AKT/mTOR levels, alleviated insulin resistance, and retained islets integrity consequently restoring normal sex hormonal levels. SIGNIFICANCE To the best of our knowledge, the study is the first to report pancreatic role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and TNF-α in PCOS and the first to demonstrate nanocurcumin promising potential against PCOS-related pancreatic molecular and histological pathologies that can indeed offer better control of the disease.
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Szamatowicz M, Szamatowicz J. Proven and unproven methods for diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Adv Med Sci 2020; 65:93-96. [PMID: 31923772 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2019.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Infertility and subfertility affect a significant part of the population. Among various definitions of this pathology, the most common one is provided by the World Health Organisation; it says that infertility is 'a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourses'. The global prevalence of infertility is about 50-70 million couples. Since the process of human reproduction involves a large number of factors, a broad spectrum of infertility tests might be applied. Some of the tests focus directly on the pregnancy, some are only partially effective, whereas others should not be recommended for infertile couples. The aim of this review is to present a critical evaluation of the infertility diagnostic process and to discuss the recommendations for its most effective treatment.
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Hager M, Hörath S, Frigo P, Koch M, Marculescu R, Ott J. Changes in serum markers of patients with PCOS during consecutive clomiphene stimulation cycles: a retrospective study. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:91. [PMID: 31585548 PMCID: PMC6777034 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0564-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A retrospective case-control study was performed to evaluate whether PCOS-specific serum markers would change in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) during the course of two consecutive cycles of clomiphene citrate (CC)-stimulation, which did not lead to a pregnancy. METHODS Anovulatory PCOS patients who underwent two consecutive CC-cycles (n = 41) and anovulatory PCOS controls who chose an observational approach for two months (n = 24) were included in the study. The main outcome measures were levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), total testosterone, androstenedione, and sexual hormone binding globulin (SHBG). RESULTS In the control group, PCOS-specific serum parameters did not change during two months (p > 0.05). In the CC-group, there were decreases in LH (11.8 ± 4.9 mU/mL vs. 10.9 ± 4.0 mU/mL; p = 0.029), the LH:FSH ratio (2.1 ± 0.8 mU/mL vs. 1.8 ± 0.5 mU/mL; p = 0.007), and AMH (8.08 ± 4.27 ng/mL vs. 7.17 ± 3.37 ng/mL; p = 0.011), as well as an increase in SHBG (46.0 ± 20.2 nmol/L vs. 51.2 ± 21.0 nmol/L; p < 0.001). A higher age and lower baseline total testosterone and AMH levels were predictive of an AMH decline (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Two cycles of CC-stimulation that did not lead to a pregnancy were accompanied by mean LH, AMH, and LH:FSH ratio declines and an SHBG increase. The clinical significance seems of minor relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Hager
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Steffen Hörath
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Frigo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Marianne Koch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Division of General Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rodrig Marculescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Ott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Division of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Spitalgasse 23, 1090 Vienna, Austria
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