Will MA, Palaniappan M, Peegel H, Kayampilly P, Menon KMJ. Metformin: direct inhibition of rat ovarian theca-interstitial cell proliferation.
Fertil Steril 2012;
98:207-14. [PMID:
22608319 DOI:
10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.04.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether metformin has direct effects on ovarian theca-interstitial (T-I) cell proliferation through activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK).
DESIGN
In vitro experimental study.
SETTING
Academic medical center laboratory.
ANIMAL(S)
Immature Sprague-Dawley female rats.
INTERVENTION(S)
Ovarian T-I cells were isolated, purified, and cultured in the absence (control) or presence of insulin (1 μg/mL) with or without metformin or other activators/inhibitors of AMPK (AICAR, compound C).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)
Proliferation assessed by determination of expression levels of proteins involved in cell cycle progression, cyclin D3, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) with Western blot analysis, and determination of DNA synthesis with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay; activation of AMPK, Erk1/2, and S6K1 determined by Western blot analysis with the use of antibodies specific for the phosphorylated (activated) forms.
RESULT(S)
Metformin inhibited insulin-induced ovarian T-I cell proliferation and the up-regulation of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, cyclin D3 and CDK4. Metformin independently activated AMPK in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with metformin inhibited insulin-induced activation of Erk1/2 and S6K1. This effect was reversed with the addition of compound C, a known AMPK inhibitor.
CONCLUSION(S)
Metformin directly inhibits proliferation of ovarian T-I cells via an AMPK-dependent mechanism. These findings further validate the potential benefits of metformin in the treatment of conditions associated with hyperinsulinemia and excessive growth of ovarian T-I cells (such as polycystic ovary syndrome).
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