Altered insulin-induced relaxation of aortic rings in a dihydrotestosterone-induced rodent model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To clarify the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on the insulin-dependent vasodilatation of the thoracic aorta and the role of vitamin D in a rat model.

Design: Controlled experimental animal study.

Setting: Laboratory.

Animal(s): Thirty adolescent female Wistar rats.

Intervention(s): The PCOS model was induced by 10 weeks of DHT treatment (83 μg/d). One-half of the DHT-treated animals also received vitamin D (120 ng/kg/wk).

Main outcome measure(s): The aortic rings of the control, DHT, and DHT plus vitamin D-treated animals were isolated. The insulin-dependent vasodilation of the isolated aortic rings was compared in Krebs-Ringer solution and under blockade of nitric oxide (NO) synthase or cyclooxygenase.

Result(s): The insulin-dependent vasorelaxation decreased in both DHT-treated groups independently from the vitamin D treatment; NO-dependent and -independent relaxations were both impaired. In response to prostanoid, vasoconstriction was increased after DHT treatment. The NO-independent relaxation was partially improved by vitamin D treatment, which was neutralized by increased prostanoid-dependent vasoconstriction.

Conclusion(s): Previously, we found that vitamin D treatment prevented systemic insulin resistance; however, in this study, we did not detect any influence on the vascular insulin resistance of the aorta that was induced by DHT treatment. Consequently, controlling insulin resistance with vitamin D alone did not resolve the aortic endothelial dysfunction caused by the hyperandrogenic state.