Expression Levels of PPARγ and CYP-19 in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Primary Granulosa Cells: Influence of ω-3 Fatty Acid

Effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on cellular development in human ovarian granulosa tumor cells (KGN)

Emerging research has shown that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) benefit human health and exert anti-cancer effects. However, there is little understanding of the specific mechanisms by which PUFAs regulate the cells of the ovarian granulosa tumor. In the current study, we investigate the effects and the possible mechanisms of PUFAs on human ovarian tumor cells development. KGN cells were treated with omega-3. Small interfering (siRNA) and specific activator were used to knock down and overexpress gene expression in KGN cells. The protein content levels were analyzed by Western blot. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis assay were performed to examine the cellular development. And the level of glucose uptake in KGN cells were assessed by 2-DG measurement. The results showed that omega-3 treatment reduced cell viability, proliferation and increased cell apoptosis. Further studies showed that omega-3 also reduced GLUT1/4 protein content and cellular glucose uptake. Subsequent knockdown and overexpression of OCT4 using Oct4 siRNA and O4I2 (OCT4 activator) showed that OCT4 was involved in the regulations of omega-3 on GLUT1/4 expression and cell development. Our data demonstrate that omega-3 inhibits cellular development by down-regulating GLUT1/4 expression and glucose uptake in KGN cells, which are mediated through OCT4.

Molecular Targets and Associated Signaling Pathways of Jingshu Granules in Ovarian Cysts Based on Systemic Pharmacological Analysis

Background

More than a third of women could develop ovarian cysts during their lifetime. Jingshu granules are used for the treatment of gynecological disease of primary dysmenorrhea. However, the molecular mechanisms of Jingshu granules in ovarian cysts are still unreported. We aimed to find the active ingredients, molecular targets, and potential signaling pathways of Jingshu granules in ovarian cysts by using the systemic pharmacological analysis.

Methods

Firstly, the effect of Jingshu granules on female hormones and reproductive organs of young female rats was evaluated. Secondly, candidate pharmaceutical ingredients of Jingshu granules were retrieved from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and analysis platform. Potential protein targets for the active ingredients in Jingshu granules were then identified according to the oral bioavailability and drug-likeness indices. Thirdly, ovarian cyst-related gene targets were screened based on different databases. Finally, enrichment analysis was used to analyze the potential biological function of intersection targets between Jingshu granules and ovarian cysts.

Results

In young female rats, Jingshu granules reduced the secretion of estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin and could affect the development of the uterus. This suggested that Jingshu granules played roles in hormone secretion and reproduction. From the TCMSP, a total of 1021 pharmaceutical ingredients of Jingshu granules were retrieved. After further screening, a total of 166 active ingredients and 159 protein targets of Jingshu granules were identified. In addition, 4488 gene targets of ovarian cysts were screened out. After taking the intersection, a total of 110 intersection targets were identified between potential protein targets of Jingshu granules and gene targets of ovarian cysts. In the functional analysis of 110 intersection targets, 8 signaling pathways including progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation (MAPK8 and CDK1 involved), GnRH signaling pathway (JUN involved), T cell receptor signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway (MAPK1 involved), NOD-like receptor signaling pathway (TNF, IL6, and IL1B involved), p53 signaling pathway (CDK2 and CDK4 involved), VEGF signaling pathway (MAPK14 involved), and PPAR signaling pathway (PPARG involved) were obtained.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that Jingshu granules could function in patients with ovarian cysts through a number of molecular targets and signaling pathways. Our study may provide a new field into the mechanisms of Jingshu granules in ovarian cysts, from the molecular to the signaling pathway level.

Functional Genetic Variation in the Anti-Müllerian Hormone Pathway in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

CONTEXT

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly heritable, common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and polycystic ovaries. PCOS is often accompanied by elevated levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). AMH inhibits follicle maturation. AMH also inhibits steroidogenesis through transcriptional repression of CYP17A1. We recently identified 16 rare PCOS-specific pathogenic variants in AMH.

OBJECTIVE

To test whether additional members of the AMH signaling pathway also contribute to the etiology of PCOS.

PARTICIPANTS/DESIGN

Targeted resequencing of coding and regulatory regions of AMH and its specific type 2 receptor, AMHR2, was performed on 608 women affected with PCOS and 142 reproductively normal control women. Prediction tools of deleteriousness and in silico evidence of epigenetic modification were used to prioritize variants for functional evaluation. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and splicing assays were used to measure the impact of genetic variants on function.

RESULTS

We identified 20 additional variants in/near AMH and AMHR2 with significantly reduced signaling activity in in vitro assays. Collectively, from our previous study and as reported herein, we have identified a total of 37 variants with impaired activity in/near AMH and AMHR2 in 41 women affected with PCOS, or 6.7% of our PCOS cohort. Furthermore, no functional variants were observed in the 142 phenotyped controls. The functional variants were significantly associated with PCOS in our cohort of 608 women with PCOS and 142 controls (P = 2.3 × 10-5) and very strongly associated with PCOS relative to a larger non-Finnish European (gnomAD) population-based control cohort (P < 1 × 10-9).

CONCLUSION

The AMH signaling cascade plays an important role in PCOS etiology.

Effects of supplying omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to gilts after weaning on metabolism and ovarian gene expression

Omega-3 PUFA may benefit sow reproductive performance, but effects on weaned gilts are unknown. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing omega-3 PUFA to gilts after weaning on growth, metabolic markers, and gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes and hormone receptors. For 52 d, gilts in the control group were fed 100 g/d of regular diets, whereas gilts in the omega-3 group were fed 75 g/d of such diets plus 25 g/d of the microalgae Schizochytium sp. (3.5 g/d of omega-3 PUFA; n = 8 gilts/group). Blood samples were collected at day 0, day 21, and day 52. Total serum cholesterol levels were lower for the omega-3 group than for the control group (P < 0.05), but high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were reduced at day 52 for both groups (P < 0.05). Gilts in the omega-3 group presented lower feed intake, better feed conversion, and less-intense immunolabeling for leptin and its receptor in the cytoplasm of oocytes included in primordial/primary follicles than gilts in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of genes coding for cholesterol side-chain cleavage and aromatase enzymes and the LH receptor in follicular cells was lower for supplemented gilts (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, supplemented gilts presented decreased serum cholesterol levels and better feed conversion, but leptin presence and gene expression for steroidogenic enzymes and for the LH receptor were lower at ovarian level.

A Randomized Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial Investigating the Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Gene Expression Related to Insulin Action, Blood Lipids, and Inflammation in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus-Fish Oil Supplementation and Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy, and it is mostly associated with postpartum diabetes, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia. Fish oil (omega-3) supplementation has been shown to reduce the risk of different chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancers, though the evidence of its impact on gestational diabetes is scarce. Our goal in this study was to determine the effect of fish oil administration on gene expression related to insulin action, blood lipids, and inflammation in women with GDM. Participants with GDM (n = 40), aged 18–40 years, were randomized to take either 1000 mg fish oil capsules, containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (n = 20), or placebo (n = 20) twice a day for 6 weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipids, and inflammation was quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of GDM women using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results of RT-PCR indicated that omega-3 supplementation upregulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) (P = 0.04) in PBMCs of patients with GDM, compared with the placebo. In addition, gene expression of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) (P < 0.001), interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P = 0.007), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.01) was downregulated in PBMCs of women with GDM, following omega-3 supplementation. No significant effect of omega-3 supplementation was indicated on gene expression of IL-8 in PBMCs of patients with GDM. Overall, fish oil supplementation for 6 weeks in women with GDM significantly improved gene expression of PPAR-γ, IL-1, and TNF-α, but not gene expression of IL-8.

Expression of the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, cyclooxygenase-2, and proinflammatory cytokines in granulosa cells from women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective

To identify differences in the expression of the genes for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in granulosa cells (GCs) from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and controls undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation.

Methods

Nine patients with PCOS and six controls were enrolled in this study. On the day of oocyte retrieval, GCs were collected from pooled follicular fluid. Total mRNA was extracted from GCs. Reverse transcription was performed and gene expression levels were quantified by realtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, body mass index, and total gonadotropin dose, except for the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone between the PCOS and control groups. PPAR-γ and COX-2 mRNA was significantly downregulated in the GCs of PCOS women compared with controls (p=0.034 and p=0.018, respectively), but the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA did not show significant differences. No significant correlation was detected between the expression of these mRNA sequences and clinical characteristics, including the number of retrieved oocytes, oocyte maturity, cleavage, or the good embryo rate. Positive correlations were found among the PPAR-γ, COX-2, IL-6, and TNF-α mRNA levels.

Conclusion

Our data may provide novel clues regarding ovarian GC dysfunction in PCOS, and indirectly provide evidence that the effect of PPAR-γ agonists in PCOS might result from alterations in the ovarian follicular environment. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these proposals.

Increased Urinary Phthalate Levels in Women with Uterine Leiomyoma: A Case-Control Study

We assessed the urinary concentration of 16 phthalate metabolites in 57 women with and without uterine leiomyoma (n = 30 and 27; respectively) to determine the association between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma. To evaluate exposure to di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP); we calculated the molar sum of DEHP metabolites; ∑3-DEHP (combining mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP); mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP); and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate); ∑4-DEHP (∑3-DEHP plus mono-(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate); and ∑5-DEHP (∑4-DEHP plus mono (2-(carboxylmethyl)hexyl) phthalate (2cx-MMHP)). The log transformed urinary levels of MEHP; MEHHP; 2cx-MMHP; ∑3-DEHP; ∑4-DEHP; and ∑5-DEHP in the leiomyoma group were significantly higher than those of controls. When we adjusted for age; waist circumference; and parity using multiple logistic regression analyses; we found log ∑3-DEHP (OR = 10.82; 95% CI = 1.25; 93.46) and ∑4-DEHP (OR = 8.78; 95% CI = 1.03; 75.29) were significantly associated with uterine leiomyoma. Our findings suggest an association between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma. However; larger studies are needed to investigate potential interactions between phthalate exposure and uterine leiomyoma.