Resveratrol (3,4ʹ,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) or caffeic acid phenethyl ester supplementation prevents premature ovarian insufficiency due to chemotherapy

Abstract

IntroductionThis study was planned to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol (RSV), caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).Material and methodsTwenty-eight female rats were divided into four groups with 7 rats in each group. The groups consisted of a vehicle-treated control group (group 1), rats treated with chemotherapy followed by intraperitoneal RSV injection (group 2) or rats treated with chemotherapy followed by CoQ10 (group 3), or rats treated with chemotherapy followed by intraperitoneal CAPE injection (group 4). Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally once daily at doses of 2.0 mg/kg for 10 days. Rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 were given RSV (100 mg/kg, i.p.), CoQ10 (20 mg/kg, oral), and CAPE (10 mg/kg, i.p.) respectively. Five animals in the sham group underwent laparotomy for ovarian weight measurements on the first day of cisplatin injection. Animals in the treatment and control groups were sacrificed two weeks later, and their ovaries were excised for histopathological analysis. Serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were also analyzed.ResultsRats in groups 2 and 4 showed vaginal smears under estrogenic effect. At the end of the second week, the total body weight and ovarian weight of the animals in group 1 increased. Significantly higher mean follicle count was detected in groups 2 and group 4 compared to group 3. The ovaries of the rats in the control group showed follicles in all stages of development. While the ovaries of the rats in the RSV or CAPE showed significantly decreased numbers of primordial follicles they showed increased numbers of early growing follicles.ConclusionsBoth RSV and CAPE administration might improve follicle survival and AMH production in rats with chemotherapy-induced POI but further research is necessary.