Effect of Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou Method on Sex Hormones, Insulin and Ovulation in PCOS Patients with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the effect of Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method on sex hormones, insulin and ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. Method:Totally 60 PCOS patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2017 to July 2018 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was orally treated with ethinylestradiol and cycloproterone acetate tablets, in addition to this therapy, the observation group also received Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method. Both groups were followed up after three months of treatment. Sex hormone levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels were measured in all patients. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was calculated by homeostasis model assessment method, and the expression levels of Akt and p-Akt proteins in endometrium were detected by Western blot. Result:After treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in both groups decreased, and the level of E2 sex hormone increased (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in observation group were lower than those in control group, whereas the level of E2 sex hormone was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of FPG and FINS in two groups were significantly lower (P<0.05), while the levels of FPG and FINS in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in two groups decreased significantly, while the endometrial thickness increased (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group, and the endometrial thickness was significantly lower than that in observation group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group, and the endometrial thickness was larger than that of control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Akt and p-Akt proteins in the endometrium of observation group and control group were significantly decreased, while the Akt and p-Akt proteins in the endometrium of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method can effectively ameliorate the sex hormone level, regulate insulin and promote the recovery of ovarian function in PCOS patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome. This may be related to the blocking of the phosphorylation of Akt and the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.