Etanercept Ameliorates Vascular, Endocrine, and Ovarian Changes in a Rat Model of DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

• Published in: Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 714 - 726
• Main Authors: Utkan Korun, Zeynep Ece, Gocmez, Semil Selcen, Furat Rencber, Selenay, Kavram Sarıhan, Kübra, Eraldemir, Fatma Ceylan, Sahin, Deniz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Embryology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Reproductive Biology: Original Article; Reproductive Medicine; Thoracic aorta; PCOS; Inflammation; Etanercept; TNF-α; Vascular function
• ISSN: 1933-7191; 1933-7205; 1933-7205
• DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01392-9

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. This study examined the efficacy of etanercept (ETA), an anti-TNF-α drug, in alleviating endocrine, metabolic, and vascular dysfunction in a rat model of PCOS. Prepubertal female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, PCOS, and PCOS+ETA. The PCOS groups received dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment, whereas the PCOS+ETA group received both DHEA and ETA. After 35 days, various biomarkers were evaluated, including systemic blood pressure, endothelial function, and eNOS and TNF-α expression levels in the thoracic aorta and ovaries. The PCOS group exhibited ovarian morphological changes, increased body weight, and hormonal imbalances, whereas the PCOS+ETA group showed restored levels of these parameters. Systemic blood pressure, urinary albumin levels, and protein excretion did not differ significantly differ among the groups. Endothelium-dependent relaxation, eNOS expression, TNF-α expression in the thoracic aorta, and TNF-α expression in the ovaries were restored to normal levels in the PCOS+ETA group. Furthermore, ovarian morphology was improved in the PCOS+ETA group. In conclusion, etanercept treatment shows promise in mitigating hormonal disturbances and vascular dysfunction in patients with PCOS, suggesting potential therapeutic advantages. Graphical Abstract