Abstract:

Objective To explore the effect of curcumin on the expression of VEGF in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat models. Methods Sixty immature female rats of 42 d old were selected. The PCOS rat model was established by injecting dehydroepiandrosterone and insulin. The rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely normal control group, model control group, lose-dose curcumin group, and high-dose curcumin group. The serum VEGF expression was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the expression of VEGF in the ovarian tissues was detected by immunohistochemical SP method; and protein level of VEGF was measured by Western blot. Results The results of ELISA showed that the expression level of VEGF in the serum of PCOS rats from the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal group (P<0.01). After curcumin was intraabdominally given, the expressions of VEGF in low- and high-dose curcumin groups were lower than that in the model group, and the expression of VEGF in high-dose group was lower than that in lose dose group (P<0.05). The results of immunohistochemical SP method and Western blotting showed that in ovarian tissues, the expression of VEGF protein in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.01). After curcumin was given, the expressions of VEGF in high- and low-dose curcumin groups decreased, and the expression of VEGF in high-dose group was significantly lower than that in low-dose group (P<0.05). Conclusion Curcumin can lower the expression of VEGF in ovarian tissues of PCOS rats, and it may have certain therapeutic effect on PCOS.

Key words: curcumin, polycystic ovary syndrome, vascular endothelial growth factor