Physical exercise alleviates oxidative stress in brown adipose tissue and causes changes in body composition and nutritional behavior in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

AimPolycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine disorder in women. We investigate the effect of physical exercise on body composition, nutritional parameters, and oxidative stress in rats with PCOS. MethodsFemale rats were into three groups: Control, PCOS, and PCOS + Exercise. PCOS was induced by letrozole (1 mg/kg via p.o.) for 21 days consecutively. Physical exercise was swimming, for 21 consecutive days, 1 h/day with 5 % load. In all groups, we assessed the nutritional and murinometric parameters, body composition, thermography, and oxidative stress in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and peri-ovarian adipose tissue (POAT). Key findingsIn PCOS we observed an increase (P < 0.05) in body weight vs. the Control group. But, the PCOS + Exercise group prevent this weight gain (P < 0.05). The temperature in BAT, decrease (P < 0.05) in the PCOS group vs. Control group. PCOS + Exercise prevented this reduction (P < 0.05) in BAT temperature vs. PCOS groups. We observed decreases (P < 0.05) in Lee Index and BMI in POS + Exercise vs. PCOS group. In PCOS rats, we observed an increase (P < 0.05) in murinometric (SRWG, EI, and FE) and body composition parameters (TWB, ECF, ICF, and FFM) vs. the Control group. The PCOS + Exercise prevents (P < 0.05) these changes in all groups, compared with PCOS. Regarding the BAT, we observe an increase (P < 0.05) in MPO and MDA levels in the PCOS vs. Control group. PCOS + Exercise prevents (P < 0.05) these increases vs. the PCOS group. SignificancePCOS modifies body composition, and nutritional parameters, and induces changes in oxidative stress in BAT. Physical exercise prevented these alterations.