Berberine Improves the Symptoms of DHEA-Induced PCOS Rats by Regulating Gut Microbiotas and Metabolites

Shen, Haoran; Xu, Xiao; Ye, Dan; Li, Xuelian

doi:10.1159/000518040

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Yu et al indicated that decreased endometrial receptivity and abnormal ovarian morphology existed in mice exposed by DHEA [25]. erefore, a rat model of PCOS induced by DHEA was established in the study, which showed typical PCOS-like symptoms like considerable increases in body weight and ovarian index, disruption of the estrous cycle, abnormal sex hormone levels, and abnormal ovarian morphology, in line with the previous study [26]. According to previous studies, acupuncture can relieve PCOS-like symptoms by balancing the levels of sex hormones and autophagy in ovarian tissues via regulating PI3K/ AKT pathway [27].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Acupuncture Improves Endometrial Angiogenesis by Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway in a Rat Model with PCOS

Xing

Chen

et al. 2022

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Background. Acupuncture, a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively relieve the symptoms and improve pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); however, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed at investigating whether acupuncture could improve endometrial angiogenesis and thus endometrial receptivity via activating PI3K/AKT pathway in PCOS rats. Methods. We established a rat model with PCOS, which was induced by DHEA. Acupuncture was performed every other day for 15 days, and the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was intraperitoneal injected 30 mins before acupuncture treatment. Females rats were mated with male SPF SD rats in a ratio of 2 : 1 after treatment and sacrificed on the 5th day when the vaginal plug was identified. The number of implantation sites was observed, followed by ovarian and endometrial morphology detected with hematoxylin-eosin staining and a scanning electron microscope, estrous cycle detected with vaginal smear analysis, and sex hormones and angiogenesis-related PI3K/AKT gene/protein expression detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, immune histochemistry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Results. Acupuncture notably improved implantation sites’ number, endometrial receptivity factors including endometrial morphology, pinopodes, HOX-10, and LIF protein expression, as well as angiogenesis and PI3K/AKT pathway factors such as VEGF, VEGFR2, Ang-1, PI3K, AKT, and P-AKT gene/protein expression and the level of eNOS and NO in the endometrium of rats with PCOS; PCOS-like symptoms were alleviated as well. The efficacy of acupuncture on a rat model with PCOS was counteracted by the combination with the PI3K inhibitor. Conclusion. Acupuncture improves endometrial angiogenesis by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus promoting endometrial receptivity and the number of implantation sites in rats with PCOS.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Acupuncture Improves Endometrial Angiogenesis by Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway in a Rat Model with PCOS

Xing

Chen

et al. 2022

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…In the study by Shen et al, clear changes in the composition of the intestinal microflora were found after the use of berberine. In terms of class assignment, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes dominated, while at the genus level berberine significantly influenced the relative abundance of Romboutsia, Bacteroides [18]. This drug can effectively restore the normal composition of the bacterial flora, but further extensive research is needed to confirm this.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Berberine in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Ochyra

Łopuszyńska

Pawlicki

et al. 2022

J Educ Health Sport

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Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder most common in women in reproductive age. The global incidence varies from 6% to 20% depending on the diagnostic criteria used, and is also the most common cause of infertility. This disease is related to insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Berberine is a compound that affects the cardiovascular system and carbohydrate metabolism, which is why there are attempts to introduce it into the therapy of patients with PCOS. Material and methods: The literature was reviewed in the PubMed scientific base in the years 2012-2022 using the following keywords: berberine, polycystic ovary syndrome. Results: Research show that the use of berberine may have a positive effect on the waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio, improve lipid parameters, lower the concentration of androgens, and reduce insulin resistance. In addition, a promising effect is the stabilization of the menstrual cycle and improvement of ovulation. There are reports that this drug may also restore the normal composition of the intestinal microflora disrupted in PCOS. Side effects are rare and mild, which confirms the safety of this substance. Conclusions: Polycystic ovary syndrome affects many women, leading to numerous and serious side effects, so it is important to develop an effective treatment with as few side effects as possible. Berberine is a promising prospect, but more studies are needed on larger groups of patients to confirm these reports and develop an effective treatment regimen. Keywords: berberine, polycystic ovary syndrome.

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“…Owing to the ethical issues involved in direct intervention in patients with PCOS and the difficulty in operating on these patients, animal models of PCOS are widely used to study new treatments for the disease. Letrozole administration [59] and subcutaneous injection of DHEA [60] are the most commonly used modeling methods in current literature reports, so we chose these two models for a comparative study. The letrozole-induced mouse model has typical manifestations of PCOS, including oligoovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovarian degeneration, and abnormal metabolism.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Liquiritin ameliorates metabolic and endocrine alterations in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Liu

et al. 2022

Reproductive and Developmental Medicine

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Objective: Altered bile acid transformation induces low-grade chronic inflammation and may play an important role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Liquiritincan regulate bile acid metabolism and anti-inflammatory properties; however, limited information is available regarding its therapeutic potential in PCOS.Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6 mice/group): the control, letrozole or dehydroepiandrosterone-induced PCOS groups, PCOS + 20 mg/kg liquiritin group, and control + liquiritin groups. After 21 days of treatment, the mice were euthanized, and the associated metabolism indications were investigated. Ovarian histological examinations were performed, and serum hormone concentration was measured. The expression of key genes involved in steroid hormone synthesis, ovarian follicle development, and ovulation was assessed.Results: Liquiritin reduced fasting blood glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity compared to the PCOS group. Liquiritin also significantly decreased serum levels of total testosterone (P < 0.001) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P < 0.05) in the PCOS group. Histomorphological inspection of ovaries from the liquiritin group revealed fewer cystic dilated follicles than in the PCOS group. Moreover, liquiritinsignificantly (P < 0.01) decreased Cyp17a1, Cyp19a1, Fshr, Hsd3b2, Runx2, and Ccn2 mRNA expression compared to letrozole-induced PCOS.Conclusion: Liquiritin may be safe and helpful in ameliorating PCOS-associated hyperandrogenemia and hyperglycemia. However, clinical trials investigating different liquiritin dosages are needed to confirm these findings.

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Berberine Improves the Symptoms of DHEA-Induced PCOS Rats by Regulating Gut Microbiotas and Metabolites

Cited by 21 publications

References 40 publications

Acupuncture Improves Endometrial Angiogenesis by Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway in a Rat Model with PCOS

Acupuncture Improves Endometrial Angiogenesis by Activating PI3K/AKT Pathway in a Rat Model with PCOS

Berberine in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Liquiritin ameliorates metabolic and endocrine alterations in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome

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