ARCIMS 26
in
Sunday 2025-10-19 19:33
Investigation of the Antioxidant Pathway (Nrf2-ARE) and Antioxidant Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Sahar Emami 1 © ℗, Parsa Sepehri 1, Elahe Seyed Hosseini 2
Abstract
Introduction Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder, often leads to infertility in women due to ovulatory dysfunction. Granulosa cells, which are crucial for oocyte maturation, are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS)-induced damage. The NRF2-ARE pathway, an endogenous antioxidant pathway, has garnered significant attention due to its role in mitigating oxidative stress in granulosa cells. In this study, we investigated the NRF2-ARE pathway in the granulosa cells of patients with PCOS and in women with male factor infertility, who served as the control group. Materials and Methods This study collected 46 samples of follicular fluid and granulosa cells from 28 patients with PCOS and 18 control patients, all aged between 20 and 40 years. Following RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis from granulosa cells, the expression of antioxidant genes (HO1, PRDX1, SOD1, TXN, NRF2, KEAP1) was evaluated using Real-Time PCR. Additionally, the Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Nitric Oxide (NO) concentration in the follicular fluid were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using the T-test. Results Our findings demonstrate a decreased expression of the HO1 gene in the granulosa cells of PCOS patients compared to the control group. Conversely, the expression of PRDX1, SOD1, NRF2, TXN, and KEAP1 genes was increased in these patients. Furthermore, the results indicated an elevated NO activity in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients, while TAC levels were significantly reduced in the follicular fluid of PCOS patients. Conclusion The results reveal a significant association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the expression of antioxidant genes in granulosa cells, suggesting that oxidative stress may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of this syndrome.
Keywords: Granulosa Cells; Oxidative Stress; NF-E2 Related Factor 2; Polycystic Ovary
