BackgroundPCOS is a reproductive hormonal abnormality and a metabolic disorder. It is frequently associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. We aim to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of combined therapy of resveratrol and metformin on polycystic ovaries via SIRT1 and AMPK activation.MethodsWistar albino rats were divided into control and experimental (PCOS) groups. DHEA-induced PCOS rats were given resveratrol (20 mg/kg/day), metformin (300 mg/kg/day) and combined therapy. At the end of the experiment, the body and ovarian weight of rats were measured and blood samples were analyzed for FSH, LH, testosterone, AMH, TNF-α and MDA levels. Histopathological evaluation of ovaries were carried out by light and electron microscopy. SIRT1 and AMPK immunreactivity and TUNEL assay were scored. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS programme.ResultsMetformin and combined treatment groups reduced the body and ovary weights compared to the PCOS group. Serum testosterone levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group and this was reduced when PCOS was treated with all but especially resveratrol. All the treatment groups decreased LH, LH/FSH, TNF-α and tissue AMH levels which were induced in the PCOS group, whereas metformin was unable to improve the increased MDA and plasma AMH levels. Treatment with resveratrol and/or metformin ameliorated the elevated number of secondary and atretic follicles and the decreased number of Graafian follicles in the PCOS group, which indicates the effect of the treatments on the maintenance of folliculogenesis. Light and electron microscopic findings supported the analysis of follicular count. Increased number of TUNEL (+) granulosa cells in the PCOS group were reduced significantly in the treatment groups. Resveratrol and metformin increased SIRT1 and AMPK immunreactivity, respectively, compared to the PCOS group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that combined therapy of metformin and resveratrol may improve the weight gain, hormone profile and ovarian follicular cell architecture by inducing antioxidant and antiinflammatory systems via SIRT1 and AMPK activation in PCOS.

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Disruption of the gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) may lead to motor symptoms and PD pathogenesis. Recently, the neuroprotective potential of different PPARδ-agonists has been shown. We aimed to reveal the effects of erucic acid, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)-ligand in rotenone-induced PD model in zebrafish, focusing on the gut-brain axis. Adult zebrafish were exposed to rotenone and erucic acid for 30 days. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/ MS) analysis was performed. Raw files were analysed by Proteome Discoverer 2.4 software; peptide lists were searched against Danio rerio proteins. STRING database was used for protein annotations or interactions. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (No), alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase and the expressions of PD-related genes were determined. Immunohistochemical tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining was performed. LC-MS/MS analyses allowed identification of over 2000 proteins in each sample. The 2502 and 2707 proteins overlapped for intestine and brain. The 196 and 243 significantly dysregulated proteins in the

Graphical abstract

Nicotine causes the formation of free radicals and oxidative damage. Vitamin E which is required in reproduction is a potent antioxidant found in nature. In our study, due to increasing tobacco consumption in women in especially recent years it was aimed to examine the nicotine induced damage in ovary, its mechanisms and the curative effects of vitamin E on these damages. In our study, rats (12 week old‐ Wistar female rats) were treated with nicotine (1 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally (ip)) and vitamin E (α‐tocopherol) (200 mg/kg/day, ip) alone or in combination in experimental groups. Levels of 17ß‐estradiol, LPO (Lipid peroxidation) and MDA (Malondialdehyde) were measured in serum of the animals. Hematoxylin and eosin (H+E) staining and labeling of Ki‐67 (a cellular marker for proliferation), 4‐HNE (4‐Hydroxynonenal; produced by lipid peroxidation in cells) and TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling;Apoptosis Detection) in paraffin sections of the ovaries was performed, immunohistochemical changes were assessed by scoring system. Ultrastructural changes in araldite sections were evaluated with the electron microscopy. The data were compared statistically. Decreased estrogen level and increased levels of LPO and MDA in serum; decreased the number of ovarian follicles and Ki‐67‐labeling in granulosa cells of follicles; increased 4‐HNE immunoreactivity and TUNEL‐labeling were observed in nicotine‐treated rats. In these animals, nicotine co‐treatment with vitamin E significantly reduced the increased levels of LPO and MDA in serum and 4‐HNE immunoreactivity and TUNEL‐labeling in ovary sections; significantly increased serum estrogen level, the number of ovarian follicles and Ki‐67‐labeling in granulosa cells of follicles. Vitamin E demonstrated positive and curative effect on biochemical and histological parameters compared to the control group. Ultrastructurally, frequent apoptotic profiles were observed in granulosa cells in follicles in nicotine group and vitamin E co‐administration led to ultrastructural alleviation of apoptotic process. In conclusion, our biochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural level findings demonstrated that oxidative stress‐induced adverse effects caused by nicotine in folliculogenesis and streoidogenesis occur via lipid peroxidation in granulosa cells. Our data suggest that vitamin E may represent an alternative of pharmacologic treatment for preserving fertility owing to its beneficial effects on the nicotine induced damages occurred in the granulosa cells.