Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium Hydrosulfide in Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Ovarian Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Vaziripour, Maryam; Faghihi, Mahdieh; Ranjbaran, Mina; Asadi, Bahareh; Abdi, Arash; Kianian, Farzaneh; Hajiaqaei, Mahdi; Seiﬁ, Behjat

doi:10.18502/jri.v25i2.16007

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium Hydrosulfide in Alleviating Oxidative Stress and Ovarian Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Authors

Maryam Vaziripour

Mahdieh Faghihi

Mina Ranjbaran

Bahareh Asadi

Arash Abdi

Farzaneh Kianian

Mahdi Hajiaqaei

Behjat Seiﬁ

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.18502/jri.v25i2.16007

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is known to play a key role in the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether diminished activity of ovarian enzymes responsible for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) contributes to oxidative stress in PCOS. The study also explored whether administration of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH), an H2S donor, could ameliorate PCOS symptoms by reducing oxidative stress. Methods: The rats were randomly assigned into three groups (n=6): control, PCOS, and PCOS+NaSH. PCOS was induced by intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate in the PCOS and PCOS+NaSH groups. The PCOS+NaSH group received 30 μmol/L/day of NaSH in drinking water for 27 days after PCOS induction. Ovarian tissue samples were analyzed for oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Additional analyses measured H2S levels, CBS, and CSE activity. Results: PCOS induction led to a significant decrease in SOD activity, H2S levels, and CBS and CSE activity, accompanied by a significant increase in MDA levels (p<0.0001). Furthermore, PCOS caused severe histological alterations in the ovaries. However, administration of NaSH effectively restored all measured parameters to pre-PCOS induction levels (p<0.0001). Conclusion: This study showed that the decrease in the activity of H2S-producing enzymes and H2S levels may contribute to oxidative stress in PCOS. Therefore, administration of H2S donor NaSH can be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for PCOS patients.

Keywords

Cystathionine β

synthase

Cystathionine γ

lyase

Hydrogen Sulfide

Infertility

Ovary

oxidative stress

PCOS

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