Evaluation of the Effect of Glutathione, an Antioxidant, with Hormonal, Metabolic and Inflammation Markers in DHEA-induced PCOS Rat Model.

Introduction: Our study aims to investigate the possible positive effect of glutathione on the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compare with Diane-35 and metformin. Method: Twenty female Wistar albino rats, were randomly divided into 4 groups after generating a PCOS model with DHEA 6 mg/100 g/day subcutaneously for 34 days. After randomization, PCOS group (n=5); 0.2 mL 1% CMC/day orally for 28 days; Diane-35 group (n=5); Diane-35 4.5 mg/kg/day orally dissolved in 1% CMC for 28 days; group 3 (metformin group, n=5); metformin 300 mg/kg/day orally dissolved in 1 mL saline for 28 days; group 4 (glutathione group, n=5); glutathione 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally on days 35, 42, 49. PCOS was also confirmed. Unilateral oophorectomy on the 35th day to evaluate the follicles in the ovaries and vaginal smear for 10 days to confirm the absence of the regular estrus cycle. On the 56th day, rats were sacrificed by taking intracardiac blood to evaluate serum inflammation markers, testosterone, and insulin levels. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of serum interlukin-6, insulin, testosterone, hs-CRP, SHBG, and MDA values. There were significantly lower in the metformin and glutathione groups compared with the PCOS group while there was no significant difference between the metformin and glutathione groups for all parameters. There was no difference between Diane-35 and the PCOS groups for all parameters. The primary, secondary, atretic, and cystic follicle numbers were lower in the glutathione group compared to the PCOS group, the number of antral follicles was higher in the glutathione group compared to the PCOS group (p=0.003). The primary follicle number in the glutathione group was lower compared with the Diane-35 group; the number of antral follicles was higher (p<0.01, p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The results of the study may provide evidence for the possible positive effect of glutathione on improvement of increased inflammation, hyperandrogenemia, and insulin resistance in PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]