The role of oxidative stress in ovarian aging: a review

Abstract

Ovarian aging refers to the process by which ovarian function declines until eventual failure. The pathogenesis of ovarian aging is complex and diverse; oxidative stress (OS) is considered to be a key factor. This review focuses on the fact that OS status accelerates the ovarian aging process by promoting apoptosis, inflammation, mitochondrial damage, telomere shortening and biomacromolecular damage. Current evidence suggests that aging, smoking, high-sugar diets, pressure, superovulation, chemotherapeutic agents and industrial pollutants can be factors that accelerate ovarian aging by exacerbating OS status. In addition, we review the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Sirtuin (Sirt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase B (AKT), Forkhead box O (FoxO) and Klotho signaling pathways during the process of ovarian aging. We also explore the role of antioxidant therapies such as melatonin, vitamins, stem cell therapies, antioxidant monomers and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and investigate the roles of these supplements with respect to the reduction of OS and the improvement of ovarian function. This review provides a rationale for antioxidant therapy to improve ovarian aging.

Kadmiyum toksisitesi oluşturulan ratlarda arı sütünün farklı dozlarının oksidatif stres ve telomeraz enzimi üzerine etkileri

“…Telomeres are repetitive sequences found at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes and are associated with aging since they shorten at each cell division 8 . Previous studies showed that telomere length plays an essential role in the mitotic index of ovarian cells 22,24 . Telomerase is an enzyme that catalyzes telomere lengths but its expression cannot always be monitored.…”

“…According to the study results, it was observed that Cd reduced telomerase enzyme activity, and this result was consistent with the oxidant status. Previous studies reported that oxidative stress accelerates cellular aging by referring to the relationship between telomerase enzyme and oxidative stress 24 . In this case, Cd administration caused oxidative stress in ovarian tissues.…”

“…In a healthy physiological process, ovarian function is expected to decrease over time. However, various reasons such as heavy metal pollution, smoking, stress, chemotherapy, and industrial pollution can cause pathological ovarian aging, which causes early reduction of ovarian function 24,30 . Although previous studies reported that free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause various adverse conditions in tissues and organs, ROS induces apoptosis in granulosa cells, leads to the rupture of the follicular wall and ovulation, and is involved in the regulation of oocyte growth, meiosis, ovulation, and other physiological processes in the ovary 24 .…”

“…It was reported that Cd leads to hormonal disorders and a decrease in estrogen levels 3,7 . Cd toxicity causes tissue damage and negatively affects the dynamics of the ROSantioxidant balance that should be maintained in the ovary 24 .…”

Mitochondria in reproduction

“…Therefore, scientists have sought to elicit anti-aging effects and treat aging-related diseases by recovering mitochondrial function. Chemical-based materials such as anti-ROS agents (e.g., nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NAD]-related materials) have been in-vestigated to overcome mitochondrial dysfunction [76][77][78]. Anti-ROS products have applications to protect against mtDNA damage and elicit anti-aging effects.…”