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

Research

Zhihao Li¹  Yuelai Chen¹  Junwei Hu¹  Xu Li¹  Juanjuan Li¹  Xuedan Zhao²  Ge Xu² 

[1] Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200032, Shanghai, China;Longhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 200032, Shanghai, China;Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 201210, Shanghai, China;

关键词: Polycystic ovary syndrome;    Kisspeptin;    Gonadotropin releases hormone;    Androgen receptor;    Electroacupuncture;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13048-022-01078-x

 received in 2022-08-24, accepted in 2022-12-13,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundPolycystic 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.ObjectiveThis 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.MethodsPCOS 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).ResultsThe 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.ConclusionImprovement 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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023

【 图 表 】

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq425.gif

12888_2022_4443_Article_IEq5.gif

12888_2022_4443_Article_IEq4.gif

12888_2022_4443_Article_IEq2.gif

12888_2022_4443_Article_IEq1.gif

Fig. 3

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq377.gif

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq375.gif

41116_2022_35_Article_IEq373.gif

Fig. 1