Effects of Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula on Sex Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway
DING Xiaowen, ZHAN Xiaoshuang, YANG Wenjing, et al
Wuhan Sixth Hospital / Jianghan University Affiliated Hospital, Hubei Wuhan 430000, China
Abstract:Objective: To discuss the effects of the Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula on sex hormone and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rats by regulating the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)signaling pathway. Methods: A PCOS rat model was established via letrozole combined with a high-fat diet, then the model rats were assigned to a model group, a metformin group, a Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula group, and a Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula+Nrf2 inhibitor group, each with 10 rats. Another 10 rats fed with regular feed were served as the normal group. The gavage dose for the metformin group was 0.3g/kg,16g/kg for the Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula group, and for the Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula +Nrf2 inhibitor group, 16g/kg of the Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula was gavage along with an intraperitoneal injection of Nrf2 inhibitor 10mg/kg, all regiments were given once a day for 4 weeks. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the estrous cycle and ovarian tissue lesions. The blood glucose meter was used to detect fasting blood glucose (FBG) in rat serum. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect changes in serum fasting insulin (FINS), sex hormones [testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)], blood lipid indicators [triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)], inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α), interleukin-18 (IL-18)], as well as the levels of oxidative stress indicators [total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA)] in ovarian tissues, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 mRNAs in ovarian tissue. While Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of Keap1, Nrf2, and HO-1 in ovarian tissue. Results: Compared with the normal group,Rats in the model group showed dysregulation of the estrous cycle, cystic expansion of follicles, increased levels of T, LH, LH/FSH, TG, TC, LDL-C, FINS, FBG, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IL-18, MDA,and the Keap1 mRNA and protein, and meanwhile showed the decreased levels of E2, HDL-C, SOD, GSH-Px, the Nrf2 and the HO-1 mRNAs and protein(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, The Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula group showed a decreased follicular cystic expansion, decreased levels of T, LH, LH/FSH, TG, TC, LDL-C, FINS, FBG, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, IL-18, MDA, the Keap1 mRNA and protein, and meanwhile showed increased levels of E2, HDL-C, SOD, GSH-Px, the Nrf2, HO-1 mRNAs and protein(P<0.05). The Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula and Nrf2 inhibitor group showed an increased follicular cystic expansion, and the changes in various indicators in serum and ovaries were opposite to those in the Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula may alleviate sex hormone disorders and insulin resistance in PCOS rats by regulating Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
定晓雯, 詹小霜, 杨文静, 宋倩, 朱梦妮. 补肾健脾化痰方调控Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1通路对多囊卵巢综合征大鼠性激素水平及胰岛素抵抗的影响[J]. 河北医学, 2026, 32(2): 203-213.
DING Xiaowen, ZHAN Xiaoshuang, YANG Wenjing, et al. Effects of Bushen Jianpi Huatan Formula on Sex Hormones and Insulin Resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats by Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway. HeBei Med, 2026, 32(2): 203-213.
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