The role of AKT and FOXO3 in preventing ovarian toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 2;13(8):e0201136. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201136. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CTX) has immunosuppressive effects and has been wildly used as one anti-cancer drug in clinical. Significant toxicity has been noticed particularly in the reproductive system. CTX promotes the maturation of ovarian follicles, decreases follicular reserve, and ultimately lead to ovarian failure or even premature ovarian failure (POF). The placental extract (HPE) has been shown to have some beneficial impact on reproductive system; however, little is known regarding to the effect of HPE on protecting CTX-induced ovarian injury and the mechanism involved. Whether human placental extracts (HPE) has a protective effect on CTX-induced toxicity on ovarian was studied by using a CTX-induced ovarian injury animal model. The effects of HEP on histopathology, the number of atretic follicles, the weight of the ovary, serum hormone levels, and apoptosis in granulosa cells were studied in mice with CTX or control vehicle. Our results have demonstrated that HPE inhibited p-Rictor, reduced the expression of Bad, Bax and PPAR, and activated Akt and Foxo3a (increased their phosphorylation). Mice treated with HPE showed higher ovarian weight, lower number of atretic follicles, higher serum levels of the hormones E2 and progesterone, and lower apoptosis and serum levels of LH and FSH in granulosa cells, than that in the control animal group. Our data show that ovarian injury can be attenuated by HPE. HPE likely protects follicular granulosa cells from undergoing significant apoptosis and reduce atresia follicle formation, therefore, alleviates CTX-induced ovarian injury.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / toxicity
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3 / metabolism*
  • Hormones / blood
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Organ Size
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Ovary / pathology
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors / metabolism
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Placental Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / chemically induced
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / metabolism
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism*
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein / antagonists & inhibitors
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Bad protein, mouse
  • Bax protein, mouse
  • Forkhead Box Protein O3
  • FoxO3 protein, mouse
  • Hormones
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
  • Placental Extracts
  • Protective Agents
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • bcl-Associated Death Protein
  • rictor protein, mouse
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.