Abstract
BackgroundElectroacupuncture (EA), a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), however, its underlying mechanisms remain obscure. This study aimed to investigate whether EA could mitigate PCOS-like symptoms in rats by regulating autophagy.MethodsA rat model of PCOS-like symptoms was established by subcutaneous injection with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and then EA treatment at acupoints (ST29 and SP6) was carried out for 5 weeks. To inhibit autophagy in rats, intraperitoneal injection with 0.5 mg/kg 3-MA (an autophagy inhibitor) was performed at 30 min before each EA treatment.ResultsEA intervention alleviated PCOS-like symptoms in rats, which was partly counteracted by the combination with 3-MA. Moreover, DHEA-exposure-induced deficient autophagy in skeletal muscle was improved by EA treatment. EA-mediated improvements in insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in PCOS-like rats were counteracted by 3-MA pretreatment. Mechanically, EA attenuated autophagy deficiency-mediated insulin resistance in PCOS-like rats via inactivating mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings indicate that EA treatment ameliorates insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ER stress through enhancing autophagy in a PCOS-like rat model. Our study provides novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the treatment of EA in PCOS, which offers more theoretic foundation for its clinical application.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) known as SteinLeventhal syndrome, is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder in gynecology and mainly characterized by hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (Stener-Victorin et al 2016)
EA treatment could remarkably reduce the number of follicular cysts in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-like rats, which was reversed by autophagy inhibitor 3-MA administration
(See figure on previous page.) Fig. 3 EA restrained insulin resistance in PCOS-like rats via enhancing autophagy. a The serum insulin level was detected by a commercial ELISA kit. b The HOMA-IR index was detected and shown. c-f The protein levels of GLUT4, p-AKT, AKT, p-ERK, and ERK in skeletal muscle tissues were determined by Western blotting. g Expression of GLUT4 in plasma membrane of skeletal muscle tissues was detected by Western blotting
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) known as SteinLeventhal syndrome, is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder in gynecology and mainly characterized by hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance (Stener-Victorin et al 2016). Antiestrogen agents are the first-line drugs for treating infertility in women with PCOS. These drugs may frequently lose effectiveness and even cause adverse effects (Legro et al 2007; Zain et al 2009). A great deal of animal and human studies proved that acupuncture treatment could effectively relieve the symptoms of PCOS. Mounting evidence has proved that insulin resistance can be attenuated by EA treatment in PCOS (Johansson et al 2010; Stener-Victorin et al 2012; Stener-Victorin et al 2016). Electroacupuncture (EA), a treatment derived from traditional Chinese medicine, can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), its underlying mechanisms remain obscure. This study aimed to investigate whether EA could mitigate PCOS-like symptoms in rats by regulating autophagy
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