Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats
Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and increase ovulation frequency in patients with PCOS. Pieces of suggest that androgen activity in the bra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ovarian Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-022-01078-x |
| _version_ | 1797945763721904128 |
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| author | Ge Xu Xuedan Zhao Zhihao Li Junwei Hu Xu Li Juanjuan Li Yuelai Chen |
| author_facet | Ge Xu Xuedan Zhao Zhihao Li Junwei Hu Xu Li Juanjuan Li Yuelai Chen |
| author_sort | Ge Xu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and increase ovulation frequency in patients with PCOS. Pieces of suggest that androgen activity in the brain is associated with impaired steroid negative feedback in such patients. Studies have shown that EA regulated androgen receptor (AR) expression and local factor levels (such as anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B) in the ovary of PCOS rats. However, few studies have explored the effect of EA on androgen activity in the brain. Objective This study investigated the effect of EA on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit and sex hormone receptor expression in the hypothalamus of PCOS rats. Methods PCOS signs were induced by letrozole administration, and the induced rats were treated with low-frequency EA at Guan Yuan acupoint (CV4). The effect of EA on PCOS-like signs was evaluated by observing changes in the body weight, ovarian quality, ovarian morphology, and serum sex hormone levels in rats. To explore the mechanism of the effect of EA on PCOS-like signs, the neuropeptide content of the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH neural circuit was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); AR and estrogen receptor α (ERα) coexpression on kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons was determined via triple-label immunofluorescence; and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, Esr1, and kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) was evaluated via western blotting and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results The results revealed that the estrous cycle of rats in the EA treatment group recovered, and their body and ovary weight reduced; ovarian morphology improved; serum testosterone and LH levels significantly decreased; and kisspeptin, GnRH, and dynorphin levels in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus significantly decreased. Compared with controls, the number of AR/Kiss1-positive cells increased, number of ERα/Kiss1-positive cells decreased, and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly increased in PCOS rats. However, EA treatment reversed these changes and reduced the expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly. Conclusion Improvement in the reproductive hallmarks of PCOS rats via EA may be achieved by regulating the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH circuit via androgen activity attenuation. Thus, the results provide an experimental basis for acupuncture as an adjuvant medical therapy on PCOS. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:01:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b5c1bed856ba4deb9cd5963e896dfb75 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1757-2215 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T21:01:17Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
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| series | Journal of Ovarian Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-b5c1bed856ba4deb9cd5963e896dfb752023-01-22T12:21:50ZengBMCJournal of Ovarian Research1757-22152023-01-0116111710.1186/s13048-022-01078-xEffects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS ratsGe Xu0Xuedan Zhao1Zhihao Li2Junwei Hu3Xu Li4Juanjuan Li5Yuelai Chen6Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineLonghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese MedicineAbstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Electroacupuncture (EA) can effectively improve hyperandrogenism and increase ovulation frequency in patients with PCOS. Pieces of suggest that androgen activity in the brain is associated with impaired steroid negative feedback in such patients. Studies have shown that EA regulated androgen receptor (AR) expression and local factor levels (such as anti-Müllerian hormone and inhibin B) in the ovary of PCOS rats. However, few studies have explored the effect of EA on androgen activity in the brain. Objective This study investigated the effect of EA on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)/luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit and sex hormone receptor expression in the hypothalamus of PCOS rats. Methods PCOS signs were induced by letrozole administration, and the induced rats were treated with low-frequency EA at Guan Yuan acupoint (CV4). The effect of EA on PCOS-like signs was evaluated by observing changes in the body weight, ovarian quality, ovarian morphology, and serum sex hormone levels in rats. To explore the mechanism of the effect of EA on PCOS-like signs, the neuropeptide content of the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH neural circuit was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); AR and estrogen receptor α (ERα) coexpression on kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin (KNDy) neurons was determined via triple-label immunofluorescence; and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, Esr1, and kisspeptin receptor (Kiss1r) was evaluated via western blotting and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results The results revealed that the estrous cycle of rats in the EA treatment group recovered, and their body and ovary weight reduced; ovarian morphology improved; serum testosterone and LH levels significantly decreased; and kisspeptin, GnRH, and dynorphin levels in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus significantly decreased. Compared with controls, the number of AR/Kiss1-positive cells increased, number of ERα/Kiss1-positive cells decreased, and protein and mRNA expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly increased in PCOS rats. However, EA treatment reversed these changes and reduced the expression of Kiss1, Ar, and Kiss1r significantly. Conclusion Improvement in the reproductive hallmarks of PCOS rats via EA may be achieved by regulating the kisspeptin-GnRH/LH circuit via androgen activity attenuation. Thus, the results provide an experimental basis for acupuncture as an adjuvant medical therapy on PCOS.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-022-01078-xPolycystic ovary syndromeKisspeptinGonadotropin releases hormoneAndrogen receptorElectroacupuncture |
| spellingShingle | Ge Xu Xuedan Zhao Zhihao Li Junwei Hu Xu Li Juanjuan Li Yuelai Chen Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats Journal of Ovarian Research Polycystic ovary syndrome Kisspeptin Gonadotropin releases hormone Androgen receptor Electroacupuncture |
| title | Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats |
| title_full | Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats |
| title_fullStr | Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats |
| title_short | Effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin-gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) /luteinizing hormone (LH) neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin/neurokinin B/dynorphin neurons in PCOS rats |
| title_sort | effects of electroacupuncture on the kisspeptin gonadotropin releasing hormone gnrh luteinizing hormone lh neural circuit abnormalities and androgen receptor expression of kisspeptin neurokinin b dynorphin neurons in pcos rats |
| topic | Polycystic ovary syndrome Kisspeptin Gonadotropin releases hormone Androgen receptor Electroacupuncture |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-022-01078-x |
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