ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Having low-grade chronic inflammation such as elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a crucial role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects of curcumin on IL-6, CRP and TNF-α and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: In this research, 72 female adult Wistar rats were divided into control (n=12), PCOS (n=12) and curcumin-treated PCOS groups (n=48). PCOS was induced by injection of estradiol valerate (2 mg/kg-one-step). PCOS rats were divided into control and experimental groups which received daily intraperitoneal injection of curcumin. After 60 days of syndrome induction, ovaries were collected for histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Serum IL-6 and CRP was detected by the ELISA kit. Data were analyzed using In-Stat 3 via one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Histological studies showed a significant reduction in thickness of theca layer and increase in the number of corpus luteum (CL) diameter in the curcumin-treated group compared with the PCOS group; also inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and CRP significantly decreased in groups treated with curcumin compared with PCOS groups. Regarding immunohistochemical analysis, the expression of TNF-α in granulosa layer and follicular fluid of follicles and ovarian cysts in PCOS group was more than the control group's expression. However, expression of this factor in the ovaries treated with curcumin was decreased. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of curcumin on PCOS may be due to its inhibitory effect on expression and levels of TNF-α, serum IL-6 and CRP.
ABSTRACT
Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin (IL)-6, are prominent mediators of inflammation and have been confirmed to be elevated in at least a subgroup of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this study, the effects of Silymarin (SLM) on the expression TNF-a, IL-6, CRP and symptoms of PCOS were studied. In this research, PCOS was induced by injection of Estradiol Valerate. PCOS rats were divided into control and experimental groups received intraperitoneal injection SLM extract daily. After syndrome induction, ovaries were collected for histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Serum IL-6 was detected by the ELISA kit. The results indicated the significant reduction in inflammatory markers and significant changes follicular layers thickness in the treatment group as compared with control. It can be concluded that having anti-inflammatory substances, Silymarin is effective in symptoms of this syndrome and metabolic syndrome.
El factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (TNF-a) y la interleucina (IL) -6 son mediadores prominentes de la inflamación y se ha confirmado que están elevados en al menos un subgrupo de mujeres con síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP). En este estudio se estudiaron los efectos de Silymarin (SLM) en la expresión TNF-a, IL-6, PCR y síntomas de SOP. El SOP fue inducido por inyección de valerato de estradiol. Las ratas SOP se dividieron en grupos control y los grupos experimentales recibieron diariamente un extracto de SLM por inyección intraperitoneal. Después de la inducción del síndrome, los ovarios se analizaron mediante histología e inmunohistoquímica. Se detectó IL-6 en suero mediante el kit ELISA. Los resultados indicaron una reducción significativa en los marcadores inflamatorios y cambios significativos en el espesor de las capas foliculares en el grupo de tratamiento en comparación con el control. Se puede concluir que con sustancias anti-inflamatorias, Silymarin es eficaz en los síntomas de este síndrome y el síndrome metabólico.
