title: Cryptotanshinone Reverses Reproductive and Metabolic Disturbances in PCOS Model Rats via Regulating the Expression of CYP17 and AR.
abstract: Objective. To explore the effect of Cryptotanshinone on reversing the reproductive and metabolic disturbances in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model rats and the possible regulatory mechanisms. Methods. PCOS model rats were induced by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and verified by histological screening of vaginal exfoliated cells. After Cryptotanshinone intervention, the rats' body weight and ovary morphological were observed; the serum biochemical assessments were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and key genes and proteins related with anabolism of androgen and insulin were detected by Real-Time PCR and Immunohistochemical (IHC). Results. The estrous cyclicity of PCOS model rats was significantly recovered by Cryptotanshinone. The body weight, ovarian coefficient, and ovarian morphology had been improved and the serum biochemical indicators including testosterone (T), androstenedione (A2), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), sexual binding globulin (SHBG), low density cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting insulin (FINS) were reversed after Cryptotanshinone intervention. Specifically, the levels of Cytochrome P450, 17-a hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17), and androgen receptor (AR) were downregulated significantly. Conclusions. Our data suggest that Cryptotanshinone could rebalance reproductive and metabolic disturbances in PCOS model rats and could be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China ; Traditional Chinese Medicine University of Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Jin
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2049-3677
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Dongxia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.affiliation: Traditional Chinese Medicine University of Shanghai, Shanghai 201203, China ; Basic Medical College, Henan College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450008, China.
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Danying
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Lingling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bai
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 800 Xiangyin Road, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Zailong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Chaoqin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu