Inhibition of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 attenuates cell apoptosis and oxidative stress in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome through the activation of Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway

Genetic and Epigenetic Landscape for Drug Development in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

The treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) faces challenges as all known treatments are merely symptomatic. The US Food and Drug Administration has not approved any drug specifically for treating PCOS. As the significance of genetics and epigenetics rises in drug development, their pivotal insights have greatly enhanced the efficacy and success of drug target discovery and validation, offering promise for guiding the advancement of PCOS treatments. In this context, we outline the genetic and epigenetic advancement in PCOS, which provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of this complex disease. We also delve into the prospective method for harnessing genetic and epigenetic strategies to identify potential drug targets and ensure target safety. Additionally, we shed light on the preliminary evidence and distinctive challenges associated with gene and epigenetic therapies in the context of PCOS.

Screening of Litter-Size-Associated SNPs in NOX4, PDE11A and GHR Genes of Sheep

In previous studies, NOX4, PDE11A and GHR genes have been screened as important candidate genes for litter size in sheep by using the GWAS method; however, neither their effects on litter size nor the loci associated with litter size have been identified. In this study, three candidate loci (c.1057-4C > T in NOX4, c.1983C > T in PDE11A and c.1618C > T in GHR) were first screened based on our previous resequencing data of 10 sheep breeds. After the three loci were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY technology, we carried out population genetics analysis on the three loci and performed association analysis between the polymorphism of the three loci and the litter size of sheep. The results of population genetics analysis suggested that c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983C > T in PDE11A may be subject to natural or artificial selection. The results of association analysis indicated that litter size was significantly associated with c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983C > T in PDE11A (p < 0.05) in Small Tail Han sheep, and there was no significant interaction effect between the two loci on the litter size. In summary, c.1057-4C > T in NOX4 and c.1983 C > T in PDE11A can be considered candidate molecular markers for improving litter size in sheep.

Improvement of Inflammation and Abnormal Vascularization by TSP1 Treatment Combined with ADSCs Transplantation in Mice with Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological endocrine disease with a certain degree of chronic inflammation and abnormal ovarian angiogenesis in reproductive women. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potent immunomodulatory properties to regulate ovarian function, while thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) improves the abnormal formation of ovarian vessels. The present study investigated the efficacy of the combined use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and TSP1 in PCOS mice. The PCOS model is established using dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by subcutaneous injection. Ovarian apoptosis is assessed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting are used to detect the expression of inflammatory factors and the levels of angiogenesis-related factors in ovarian tissues. Inflammatory cells count and ovarian angiogenesis are evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. This research shows that TSP1 and ADSCs treatment can significantly reduce the inflammatory state of PCOS mice, relieve the degree of ovarian cell apoptosis, optimize the ovarian histological manifestations, and restore the levels of related hormones. The proportion of CD31-positive cells in PCOS mice returned to near-normal levels. The synergistic use of ADSCs and TSP1 therapy can exert a more impressive effect by inhibiting the ovarian inflammatory response and regulating the balance of angiogenesis than the single application in PCOS mice.

Signaling pathways and targeted therapeutic strategies for polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women of reproductive age. Although promising strides have been made in the field of PCOS over the past decades, the distinct etiologies of this syndrome are not fully elucidated. Prenatal factors, genetic variation, epigenetic mechanisms, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental toxins all contribute to the development of this intricate and highly heterogeneous metabolic, endocrine, reproductive, and psychological disorder. Moreover, interactions between androgen excess, insulin resistance, disruption to the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis, and obesity only make for a more complex picture. In this review, we investigate and summarize the related molecular mechanisms underlying PCOS pathogenesis from the perspective of the level of signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, TGF-β/Smads, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hippo/YAP. Additionally, this review provides an overview of prospective therapies, such as exosome therapy, gene therapy, and drugs based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and natural compounds. By targeting these aberrant pathways, these interventions primarily alleviate inflammation, insulin resistance, androgen excess, and ovarian fibrosis, which are typical symptoms of PCOS. Overall, we hope that this paper will pave the way for better understanding and management of PCOS in the future.

FGF2 Rescued Cisplatin-Injured Granulosa Cells through the NRF2-Autophagy Pathway

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a complicated disorder related to the apoptosis of granulosa cells. The incidence of chemotherapy-associated POF is rising dramatically owing to the increasing proportion of cancer in adolescents. According to previous studies, oxidative stress caused by chemotherapeutic agents plays an important role in the development of POF. However, the exact effects of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor2 (NRF2), a pivotal anti-oxidative factor, are still unknown in chemotherapy-associated POF. Firstly, we manipulated NRF2 expressions on a genetic or pharmaceutical level in cisplatin-injured granulosa cell models. The results indicate that the increasing NRF2 in cisplatin-injured cells was just compensatory and not enough to resist the accumulated stress. Upregulation of NRF2 could protect granulosa cells against cisplatin via elevating autophagic level by using an autophagic activator (rapamycin) and inhibitor (chloroquine). Additionally, exogenous FGF2 exerted a protective role by increasing NRF2 expression and promoting its nuclear translocation. Meanwhile, the results in cisplatin-POF mice models were consistent with what was found in injured cells. In conclusion, our research proved that FGF2 rescued cisplatin-injured granulosa cells through the NRF2-autophagy pathway and might provide a possible alternative treatment choice by targeting NRF2 for POF patients who are intolerant or unsuitable to FGF2.

Mechanisms of and Potential Medications for Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Granulosa Cells: A Review

Granulosa cells are essential for follicle initiation and development, and their abnormal function or apoptosis is a crucial factor leading to follicular atresia. A state of oxidative stress occurs when the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the regulation of the antioxidant system is disturbed. Oxidative stress is one of the most important causes of the abnormal function and apoptosis of granulosa cells. Oxidative stress in granulosa cells causes female reproductive system diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure. In recent years, studies have confirmed that the mechanism of oxidative stress in granulosa cells is closely linked to the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, FOXO axis, Nrf2 pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and mitophagy. It has been found that drugs such as sulforaphane, Periplaneta americana peptide, and resveratrol can mitigate the functional damage caused by oxidative stress on granulosa cells. This paper reviews some of the mechanisms involved in oxidative stress in granulosa cells and describes the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological treatment of oxidative stress in granulosa cells.

Antioxidant Defense Expressed as Glutathione Status and Keap1-Nrf2 System Action in Relation to Anthropometric Parameters and Body Composition in Young Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Metabolic disorders present in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the associated risk of obesity may result in increased oxidative stress and reproductive failure. Therefore, we evaluated the concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and reductase (GR), as well as nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associating protein1 (Keap1) in the serum of 56 women with PCOS divided according to the visceral to subcutaneous fat surface ratio (VAT/SAT) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) values. Antioxidant parameter levels were measured by competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay technique. As the VAT/SAT ratio and WHR increased, we observed significantly higher concentrations of GSSG and Keap1 protein and a lower value of the GSSG/GSH ratio (R-index), which is considered an index of cellular redox (p < 0.05). Negative correlations were found between the R-index and body weight, BMI, WHR, subcutaneous and visceral fat surface and the VAT/SAT ratio, and total body fat; positive links were found with fat free mass and total body water. Opposite associations were noted between GSSG level and the aforementioned body composition parameters. Oxidative stress characterized by a depleted reduced-to-oxidized glutathione index is associated with anthropometric and body composition parameters in women with PCOS. In particular, abdominal obesity expressed by the VAT/SAT ratio and/or WHR seems to have a negative impact on glutathione status, which may lead to a disruption of many biological cell processes. The observed negative association of Keap1 with R-index suggests that the elevated oxidative changes dependent on the VAT/SAT ratio may lead to Nrf2 activation to promote antioxidant enzyme expression. Although the GSH/GSSG index as well as the VAT/SAT ratio appear to be good indicators of oxidative status, studies on a larger group of patients should continue to confirm these links among women with PCOS.