Effects of metformin and exercise, isolated or associated, on the adipocytes and on the levels of adipose tissue fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome rat models

• Grant number: 17/18843-5
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal researcher: Gustavo Arantes Rosa Maciel
• Grantee: Lyca Suzuki Kawakami
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women in reproductive age, impacting 5-10% of premenopausal American women. Although the etiology of PCOS is not entirely clear, it is well known that hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation and polycystic ovaries are the syndrome main characteristics. It is commonly associated to metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, adipose tissue dysfunction, type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk. Current evidence has shown that PCOS is related to adipose tissue dysfunction as a result of cell damage and chronic inflammation. There is some controversy among studies as for the level of adipose tissue fibrosis, which regulates adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms and the effects of metformin and exercise over these processes, which consist of PCOS alternatives of treatment, since metformin is an insulin-sensitizer as well as lifestyle change (diet and exercise) which leads to weight loss, reducing the circulating androgen levels. The objective of this study is to measure the size of adipocytes and the levels of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue fibrosis in polycystic ovary syndrome rat models and the effects of metformin and exercise on these variables. (AU)