Abstract
Background: Previous studies showed that Heme Oxyge-nase-1 (HO-1) level was markedly reduced in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which might highlight the role of HO-1system in the pathogenesis and treatment of PCOS.
Aim of Study: The present study was done to study the effects of the induction of HO-1 system by hemin on Letrozole (LTZ)-induced PCOS in rats.
Material and Methods: 40 female rats were divided into 4 equal groups; normal control (I), hemin (II), LTZ (III), hemin + LTZ treated (IV).
Results: After three weeks, LTZ administration induced PCOS in female rats as evidenced by histological examination and biochemical analysis. It significantly increased testosterone level, LH and LH/FSH ratio compared with normal control group. LTZ significantly decreased plasma adiponectin level, ovarian Silent Information Regulator 1 level (SIRT1), Glu-tathione-S-Transeferase activity (GST), HO-1 mRNA expres-sion and ovarian B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (BCL2) expression compared with normal control group. While, it increased ovarian hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level, ovarian BCL2 associated X (Bax) expression and Bax/Bcl2 ratio compared with normal control group. Hemin administration antagonized all these effects.
Conclusion: We could conclude that, hemin is a promising drug for treatment of PCOS through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects which can rise up the possibility of involvement of HO system in pathogenesis of PCOS.