Hyperandrogen-induced polyol pathway flux increase affects ovarian function in polycystic ovary syndrome via excessive oxidative stress

Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in the women of childbearing age. It is characterized by hyperandrogenism and abnormal follicular growth and ovulation. The polyol pathway is a glucose metabolism bypass pathway initiated by aldose reductase (ADR). Androgen induces the expression of ADR in the male reproductive tract, which has a general physiological significance for male reproductive function. However, the accumulation of metabolites of polyol pathway causing oxidative stress is one of the important reasons of cell damage in some diseases related to abnormal glucose metabolism. Here, we find that hyperandrogenism of PCOS can induce the expression of ovarian ADR, which leads to the increase of the polyol pathway flux, and affects ovarian function through excessive oxidative stress. Our research has enriched the pathological mechanism of PCOS and may provide a new clue for the clinical treatment of PCOS.

Keywords
Polycystic ovary syndrome, Hyperandrogenism, Flutamide, Polyol pathway, Aldose reductase, Epalrestat, Oxidative stress, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine, Follicular growth, Ovulation