Background of study
Globally, many reproductive aged women are affected by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder that is linked with adipose dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation. Spironolactone (SPL), a mineralocorticoid receptor blocker has been documented as a metabolic modulator. However, its immunomodulatory effect in PCOS is unknown. Therefore, the present study hypothesized that SPL would ameliorate adipose dysfunction and inflammation in experimental PCOS animals.
Materials and methods
Female Wistar rats that were 8 weeks old were allocated into three groups. Group 1 received vehicle (distilled water; p.o.), group 2 received letrozole (1 mg/kg; p.o.) and group 3 received letrozole plus SPL (0.25 mg/kg, p.o.). The administration was performed once daily for 21 days.
Results
The experimental PCOS animals showed insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism as well as oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory biomarkers (NF-kB/TNF-/IL-6) as well as a significant decrease in triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, GSH and G6PD in the adipose tissue of PCOS animals. In addition, immunohistochemical assessment of adipose tissue showed significant expression of BAX and inflammasome, indicating apoptosis and inflammation compared to control animals. Nevertheless, administration of SPL attenuated these perturbations.
Conclusion
Altogether, the present study suggests that low-dose spironolactone confers protection against adipose dysfunction in experimental PCOS animals by attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.