Free radical scavenging window of infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: correlation with embryo quality

CDK4/6 inhibitor protects chemerin-induced human granulosa-lutein cells from apoptosis by inhibiting the p53/p21 waf pathway

Dysregulation of the cell cycle is common in human tumorigenesis. Therefore, CDK4/6 inhibitors targeting the cell cycle have been developed, and their antiapoptotic effects have been highly correlated with potential clinical therapies. The aim of this study was to identify the regulatory effect of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib on chemerin-induced apoptosis of immortalized human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells and to elucidate its fundamental mechanism of action. Palbociclib enhanced antioxidative enzyme generation and diminished ROS generation in hGL cells. Furthermore, we found that palbociclib suppressed chemerin-induced apoptotic protein expression, reversing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and inhibiting the p53/p21 ^waf pathway. Eventually, palbociclib decreased the level of cleaved caspase-3 and -9, hindering the apoptosis of hGL cells. In general, the antiapoptotic efficacy of palbociclib could be attributed in part to the modulation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in hGL cells.

ANP promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells by NPRA/PGRMC1/EGFR complex and improves ovary functions of PCOS rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complicated reproductive endocrine disease characterized by polycystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism and anovulation. It is one of the main causes of infertility. RU486 is an antagonist of progesterone receptor, and most commonly used as a contraceptive. However, whether RU486 is correlated with PCOS remains unclear. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a small peptide with natriuretic and diuretic functions, and its availability to be used in PCOS treatment is unknown. Here, we showed that the serum ANP level was lower in PCOS patients than that in healthy women, and it was also decreased in the serum and ovarian tissues of RU486-induced PCOS rats compared with the control rats. We also found that RU486 inhibited the proliferation and promoted the apoptosis of human KGN ovarian granulosa cells by downregulating progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1). Meantime, ANP promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of KGN cells through upregulating ANP receptor A (NPRA). The promotive effects of ANP on ovarian functions were mediated through the formation of an NPRA/PGRMC1/EGFR complex, which further activated MAPK/ERK signaling and transcription factor AP1. Moreover, ANP treatment reversed the PCOS symptoms, and improved the fertility of RU486-induced PCOS rats. Collectively, these findings highlight that RU486 is associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS, and ANP treatment may be a promising therapeutic option for PCOS.