Metabolic Consequences of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on Hepatic Function in High Fat Diet-Fed Rats: Potential Role of Exercise

Abstract

Abstract Context Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder in reproductive-aged women. Since, The current study was designed to elucidate the metabolic comorbidities of polycystic ovarian syndrome, especially the hepatic effect, with or without high fat diet feeding, and to emphases the crucial role of exercise in managing such complications. Materials and Methods This study was carried out on 55 adult female albino Wistar rats, the study duration was 8 weeks. Rats included in the present study were randomly allocated into five equal groups, eleven rats each: Group I: Control group, Group II: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) group, Group III: High fat diet fed polycystic ovary syndrome (HF-PCO) group, Group IV: Exercise-treated polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO-EX) group, Group V: High fat diet fed exercise-treated polycystic ovary syndrome (HF-PCO-EX) group. PCOS was induced in female wistar rats by oral administration of Letrozole (1mg/kg daily by oral gavage for 21 days in groups II, III, IV, V, high fat diet was supplemented to groups III and V. Rats of groups IV and V were subjected to 30 minutes swimming protocol 5 days/ week for 5 weeks after the period of induction. Results All measured values of the OGTT as well as area under the curve, serum fasting glucose (FG), insulin levels and HOMA-IR were all significantly increased in the PCO, HF-PCO when compared to control group. Compared to their corresponding non exercised groups, both PCO-EX and HFPCO-EX groups showed significant reductions in all parameters except for T90 in PCO-EX group. For the lipid profile, the serum level of TG, TC, LDL-C and AI were all significantly increased while HDL-C was significantly decreased in PCO and HF-PCO compared to control group as well as in HF-PCO group compared to PCO group. PCO-EX and HF-PCO-EX groups showed significant reductions in TG, TC, LDL-C and AI and a significant elevation in HDL-C when compared to their corresponding non- exercised groups. For liver enzymes serum level of ALT, AST and GGT were significantly increased in PCO and HF-PCO groups when compared with control group. Compared to their corresponding non exercised groups, both PCO-EX and HF-PCO-EX showed significant reductions in liver enzymes. As regard the hormonal profile, the serum level of estradiol, adiponectin and adiponectin/resistin ratio (A/R) were significantly decreased while serum level of testosterone, LH and resistin were significantly increased in PCO and HF-PCO groups compared to control group. PCO-EX and HF-PCO-EX groups induced significant increases in serum estradiol, adiponectin and A/R as well as significant decreases in serum testosterone, LH and resistin compared to their corresponding non exercised groups. Conclusion We could conclude that both moderate intensity exercise and avoiding high fat diet have beneficial therapeutic potentials in ameliorating the metabolic effects of PCO syndrome in rats especially the hepatic effects and the development of NAFLD.