Vitamin E modulates androgen receptor gene expression to attenuate ovarian dysfunctions in a rat model of dehydroepiandrosterone-induced polycystic ovary

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of vitamin E in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary in rats. Methods: Premature female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups, with 7 rats in each group. Group I received corn oil (vehicle) and served as the control group; group II received 0.2 mL of 0.06 mg/g DHEA in corn oil; group III received 200 mg/kg vitamin E; group IV received DHEA plus vitamin E. All treatments lasted for 15 days, with DHEA administered subcutaneously, while vitamin E and corn oil were administered orally. After the experiment, serum samples and ovaries were harvested for biochemical, immunohistochemical, hormonal, and histological analysis. The ovarian mRNA expression of androgen receptor was analyzed by reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: The antioxidant and metabolic enzyme activity significantly decreased in the DHEA-treated rats compared to the control rats (P<0.05). Administration of vitamin E to DHEA-treated rats significantly decreased cytokines and malondialdehyde compared to the DHEA-treated rats. The histological analysis showed reduced atretic and cystic ovaries, increased E-cadherin and Bcl-2 expression, and reduced expression of Bax in the DHEA-treated rats co-treated with vitamin E. The mRNA expression of androgen receptor was upregulated in the DHEA-treated rats compared to the control rats. Conclusions: Vitamin E ameliorates the hyperandrogenic effect of DHEA-induced polycystic ovaries via metabolic, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic pathways.