Objective: To examine the impact of berberine on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in mice, and to investigate the effects of berberine on the intestinal flora and the intestinal flora on PCOS. Methods: A mouse model of PCOS was established by administering dehydroepiandrosterone in combination with high fat diet, and the mouse model was given a berberine treatment. The study consisted of a blank control group (C group), a PCOS model group (M group) and a berberine treatment group (T group). During the experiment, the mice were closely monitored through timed body weight measurements and estrous cycle monitoring; intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were done. Upon completion of the pharmacological intervention, the wet weights of liver, ovary and fat deposits of mice were assessed and subjected to HE staining to confirm the success of PCOS modeling and the efficacy of berberine. Additionally, fecal samples were analyzed for intestinal flora through 16S rRNA analysis. Results: The PCOS model was established successfully, berberine alleviated the disturbance of estrous cycle in mice, and significantly alleviated fat accumulation and metabolic abnormalities of glucose in mice. The cross-sectional area of fat pad cells in T group was (2 858±146) μm², which was significantly lower than that in M group [(9 518±347) μm²], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The blood glucose levels in T group were significantly lower than those in M group (P<0.05). The composition and structure of intestinal flora in mice of M group with PCOS (compared with C group) and in mice of T group after berberine intervention (compared with M group) were significantly altered. However, alpha diversity did not change significantly among three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Berberine could alleviate PCOS by intervening in the alterations of gut microbiota.
目的： 探究小檗碱（又名：黄连素）对多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）模型小鼠的作用，同时探究黄连素对肠道菌群及肠道菌群对PCOS的影响。 方法： 以脱氢表雄酮辅以高脂饲料喂养建立PCOS小鼠模型，并给予黄连素进行干预治疗，实验分为C组（即空白对照）、M组（即PCOS模型小鼠）和T组（即PCOS模型小鼠予黄连素治疗），定时对小鼠监测体重、动情周期，行腹腔葡萄糖耐量试验和胰岛素耐量试验；实验结束后，对小鼠肝脏、卵巢及脂肪垫称量湿重，并行HE染色观察，验证是否造模成功及黄连素的效果。同时取粪便样本进行16S rRNA肠道菌群分析。 结果： PCOS造模成功，黄连素缓解了T组小鼠的动情周期紊乱，且显著缓解了小鼠的脂肪积聚和糖代谢异常，T组小鼠脂肪垫细胞截面积为（2 858±146）μm2，显著低于M组［（9 518±347）μm2］，两组比较，差异有统计学意义（P<0.001），T组小鼠的血糖显著低于M组（P<0.05）。M组PCOS模型小鼠与C组相比以及黄连素干预后的T组小鼠与M组相比，肠道菌群组成及结构显著改变，而Alpha多样性在3组间并无显著变化（P>0.05）。 结论： 黄连素可能通过干预肠道菌群的变化缓解PCOS症状。.