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Potent therapeutic effects of Shouwu Jiangqi Decoction (首乌僵芪汤) on polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance in rats

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of Shouwu Jiangqi Decoction (首乌僵芪汤, SJD) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR) in rats and to explore the underlining molecular mechanisms.

Methods

A total of 51 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control group (n=7), model group (n=8), SJD high-dose group (n=9), SJD medium-dose group (n=9), SJD low-dose group (n=9) and DMBG group (n=9). Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone concentrations and qRT-PCR and western blot were used to examine the expression levels of mRNA and protein respectively of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) p85α in different groups.

Results

FSH level signififi cantly decreased in the model group compared with the normal control (P<0.01), and high-dose SJD and DMBG can signififi cantly increase FSH level (P<0.01). LH level showed a mild increase without statistic signififi cance in the model group compared with the control and different dosages of SJD had no signififi cance effect on LH level, while DMBG can signififi cantly decrease LH level (P<0.01). Testosterone level signififi cantly increased in the model group compared with the control group (P<0.01), and high-dose SJD and DMBG can signififi cantly decrease testosterone level (P<0.01). The expression of IRS-1 as well as PI3Kp85α were significantly decreased in the model group compared with the normal control group at both mRNA (P<0.001) and protein (P<0.01) level, and both high-dose SJD and DMBG can enhance IRS-1 and PI3K expression (P<0.05).

Conclusions

SJD has potent therapeutic effects on PCOS with IR in rats. The therapeutic effects of SJD on IR and ovulatory dysfunction are probably achieved through correcting the defective insulin signaling transduction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zhangjiagang Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, 215600, China

    Li-hong Wang  (王利红) & Wen-ting Xu  (徐文婷)

  2. The First Clinical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210046, China

    Xu Wang  (王 旭) & Xi-zhong Yu  (于希忠)

Authors
  1. Li-hong Wang  (王利红)
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  2. Xu Wang  (王 旭)
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  3. Xi-zhong Yu  (于希忠)
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  4. Wen-ting Xu  (徐文婷)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xu Wang  (王 旭).

Additional information

Supported by the Science and Technology Project of Traditional Chinese Medicines of Jiangsu Province in 2011–2012 (No. LZ11153) and Innovation Research Project for postgraduates in Colleges of Jiangsu Province in 2011(No. CXZZ11_0780).

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Wang, Lh., Wang, X., Yu, Xz. et al. Potent therapeutic effects of Shouwu Jiangqi Decoction (首乌僵芪汤) on polycystic ovary syndrome with insulin resistance in rats. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 22, 116–123 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2147-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-015-2147-9

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