γ-Linolenic acid ameliorates DHEA induced pro-inflammatory response in polycystic ovary syndrome via PPAR-γ signaling in rats

The inflammatory responses associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may play a significant role in the severity of the disease. Emerging evidence report states that the polyunsaturated fatty acids are capable of ameliorating the PCOS condition. The therapeutic effects of γ-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, in various inflammatory diseases have been reported. Yet, its role in PCOS associated inflammatory response remains unexplored. The aim of the study was to decipher the effects of GLA in PCOS and its role in the PPAR-γ pathway. In our study, female Wistar rats were stimulated with daily subcutaneous injections of DHEA (60 mg/kg per day) for 28 days to induce PCOS. Daily doses of GLA(10, 20, and 50 mg/kg) and Pioglitazone (P)(30 mg/kg) were administered orally for 14 days after PCOS induction. The levels of DHEA, leptin, PPAR-γ were measured by ELISA. The gene expression levels of leptin, TNF-α, IL-33, PPAR-γ, C/EBP-β, SREBP-1were determined by Real Time-PCR. We observed that the GLA significantly attenuated the DHEA and leptin levels. GLA treatment also upregulated PPAR-γ expression, when compared to the DHEA group. Further, GLA treatment showed a significant reduction in DHEA induced TNF-α, IL-33, C/EBP-β, and SREBP-1 levels in Wistar rat polycystic ovary tissue samples. The present findings could indicate that GLA is able to reduce the inflammatory response due to DHEA stimulation and thereafter potentially attenuate PCOS via the PPAR-γ pathway.

Keywords: Inflammation; PPAR-γ; Polycystic ovary syndrome; TNF-α; γ-Linolenic acid.