Ovarian damage and infertility are the main side effects of chemotherapy for women of childbearing age with cancer. The main objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of hyperoside against cyclophosphamide (Cy) -induced ovarian damage and reduced fertility. This study consists of two parts: in vivo experiments using Cy intraperitoneal injections to simulate clinical chemotherapy sessions and in vitro experiments using 4-HC, a precursor of an activated form of Cy, to intervene in human granulosa-like cell line (KGN). We found that Cy disrupted the estrous cycle in mice, resulting in decreased serum Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, loss of primordial follicles, primary follicle and secondary follicle, increased atretic follicles, and diminished ovarian reserve function. Cy prolonged the time between mating and pregnancy in mice and increased the number of absorbed embryos. Western Blot analysis demonstrate that Cy activated key proteins of HIF-1α/BNIP3-associated autophagy both in vivo and in vitro, while in vivo experiments we also found that 4-HC increased KGN cell apoptosis, damaged mitochondrial membrane potential, and activated autophagic flow. Co-treatment with hyperoside diminished follicular depletion of the primordial follicles, decreased follicular atresia, prevented Cy-induced excessive hypoxia and autophagy activation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby increasing follicular reserve and rescuing fertility in Cy-treated mice. It suggests that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy is an essential mechanism by which Cy impairs ovarian function and fertility in mice, by blocking this activation, hyperoside shows potential as an ovarian protectant that may be capable of preserving fertility in women undergoing chemotherapy.
Keywords: Autophagy; HIF-1α/BNIP3; Hyperoside; Hypoxia; Ovarian damage.
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