Effect of different antioxidants on oxidative stress markers in an experimental polycystic ovary syndrome rat model

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of antioxidant agents curcumin and alpha lipoic acid on ovarian morphology and oxidative stress markers in an experimental rat model with policystic over syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were grouped into control, PCOS, PCOS + curcumin, PCOS + ALA and PCOS + curcumin + ALA. At the end of the experiment period, ovarian tissues were obtained and histological evaluation of the cortex and medulla was performed. Immunoreactivity was shown by iNOS, eNOS, SOD staining. RESULTS: The number of secondary follicles and atretic follicles were decreased in the groups supplemented with curcumin and/or ALA when compared to the PCOS group. Curcumin and/or ALA groups showed significantly increased staining of anti-iNOS, anti-eNOS and anti-SOD compared with the PCOS group. CONCLUSION: Curcumin and ALA have been shown to have postive effects on ovarian morphology, function and ovulation. Curcumin and ALA may be promising agents to support classical treatments of PCOS. KEYWORDS: curcumin, alpha lipoic acid, PCOS, oxidative stress, iNOS, eNOS, SOD