Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an inflammatory endocrine-metabolic disorder related to reproductive system characterized by polycystic ovarian morphology, androgen excess, and chronic anovulation. Current treatments haven’t been very successful in PCOS treatment and the problem still remains as a challenge. Therefore, new approaches should be applied to overcome the disease. Previous studies demonstrated immunomodulatory effects of R10 fraction of garlic in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as cancer. Considering previous studies suggesting immunomodulatory therapy for PCOS, therapeutic effects of R10 fraction was evaluated in a mouse model of PCOS. To do so, PCOS was developed by intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate. Treatment with R10 fraction, isolated from garlic, was performed and the alterations in hormonal levels (estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone), T cell polarization markers (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17), and expression of fertility-related genes (Gpx3 and Ptx3) were evaluated. The results showed that hormonal levels were elevated in PCOS model comparing to normal animals but were markedly modulated after treatment with R10 fraction. Moreover, a severe disturbance in T cell polarization with a significant reduction of fertility-related genes expression were detected in PCOS-induced ovaries. Treatment with R10 fraction also represented modulatory effects on T cell polarization by increasing IL-4 and decreasing IL-17 and IFN-γ levels. Accordingly, fertility-related genes were also modulated following treatment with R10 fraction in PCOS. Our study elucidated that R10 fraction of garlic possess immunomodulatory effects alleviating PCOS symptoms. This approach could be adjusted to give rise the optimum therapeutic results and considered as a candidate therapeutic approach for PCOS.
Highlights
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most challenging inflammatory disorders related to female reproductive system affecting 5–15% of adult [1, 2]
Modulation of hormonal perturbations in PCOS model by residue 10 (R10) fraction Given the importance of hormonal modulation following PCOS treatment [6, 7], levels of testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone hormones were initially evaluated
Examination of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissue revealed that the presence of ovarian cysts was markedly increased in PCOS-induced mice comparing to the normal group
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most challenging inflammatory disorders related to female reproductive system affecting 5–15% of adult [1, 2]. As a chronic inflammatory disease, PCOS patients have permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers affecting endothelia cell and endometrium as well as ovaries. On this basis, it has been noted that women with PCOS show an increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, carcinoma, and psychosexual disorders [2, 8, 9]. Therapeutic approaches include change of life style & diet, weight loss, exercise, along with pharmacological treatments to modulate the serum levels of their sexual hormones, revert the ovarian functions to normal, improve the metabolic disorders, and modulate inflammatory status related to PCOS [15, 16]. Since chronic inflammation has emerged as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of PCOS, a great attention has been paid towards immunologic approaches [2, 9, 17]
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