Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine health problem during the childbearing period that seriously affects fertility in females. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR alpha) agonist, showed beneficial effects in models of endocrine disturbances. Thus, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of fenofibrate in experimental PCOS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats received oral fenofibrate (300 mg/kg/day) for three weeks following a three-week PCOS induction regimen using oral letrozole (1 mg/kg/day). We determined the changes in body weight, levels of serum testosterone, insulin, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), ovarian malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and tissue tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and CD95 protein expressions. The tissue expression of interleukin-10 (IL10) and PPAR alpha genes was determined.
RESULTS: Letrozole-treated rats showed successful induction of PCOS, confirmed by histopathology and significantly increased body weight, testosterone, insulin, AMH, and MDA, and decreased SOD. Ovaries of untreated PCOS rats showed increased TNF alpha and CD95 and decreased PPAR alpha and IL10 expression. Administration of fenofibrate ameliorated the letrozole-induced PCOS changes.
CONCLUSIONS: Fenofibrate-mediated amelioration of PCOS in rats is attributed partly to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties and activation of PPAR alpha.