Novel insights into the synergistic effects of selenium nanoparticles and metformin treatment of letrozole - induced polycystic ovarian syndrome: targeting PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, redox status and mitochondrial dysfunction in ovarian tissue

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has a series of reproductive and metabolic consequences. Although the link between PCOS, IR, and obesity, their impact on the pathogenesis of PCOS has yet to be determined. Dysfunction of PI3K/AKT pathway has been reported as the main cause of IR in PCOS. This study purposed to explore the effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) alone and combined with metformin (MET) in a PCOS-IR rat model.

Methods

After 3 weeks of treatment with SeNPs and/or MET, biochemical analysis of glycemic & lipid profiles, and serum reproductive hormones was performed. Inflammatory, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction markers were determined colormetrically. The expression of PI3K and Akt genes were evaluated by Real-time PCR. Histopathological examination and Immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67 expression were performed.

Results

The results showed that treatment with SeNPs and/or MET significantly attenuated insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, sex hormones levels, inflammatory, oxidative stress and mitochondrial functions markers. Additionally, PI3K and Akt genes expression were significantly upregulated with improved ovarian histopathological changes.

Conclusion

Combined SeNPs and MET therapy could be potential therapeutic agent for PCOS-IR model via modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway, enhancing anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and altered mitochondrial functions.

Highlights

• The strong relationship between obesity, insulin resistance, and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

• Disturbance of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is involved in the progression of polycystic ovary syndrome-insulin resistance (PCOS-IR).

• In PCOS-IR rats, combined SeNPs and metformin therapy considerably alleviated IR by acting on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• The combination of SeNPs and metformin clearly repaired ovarian polycystic pathogenesis and improved hormonal imbalance in PCOS-IR rats.

KEYWORDS:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• obesity
• insulin resistance
• SeNPs
• PI3K/Akt pathway
• metformin
• mitochondrial dysfunction
• oxidative stress

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.