Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Sodium Hydrosulfide in Alleviating  Oxidative Stress and Ovarian Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Maryam Vaziripour; Mahdieh Faghihi; Mina Ranjbaran; Bahareh Asadi; Arash Abdi; Farzaneh Kianian; Mahdi  Hajiaqaei; Behjat  Seiﬁ

doi:10.18502/jri.v25i2.16007

Maryam Vaziripour Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahdieh Faghihi Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mina Ranjbaran Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Bahareh Asadi Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Arash Abdi Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farzaneh Kianian Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahdi Hajiaqaei Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Behjat Seiﬁ Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v25i2.16007

Keywords: Cystathionine β-synthase, Cystathionine γ-lyase, Hydrogen sulfide, Infertility, Ovary, Oxida-tive stress, PCOS

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress is known to play a key role in the occurrence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether diminished activity of ovarian enzymes responsible for hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) production, cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) contributes to oxidative stress in PCOS. The study also explored whether administration of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH), an H₂S donor, could ameliorate PCOS symptoms by reducing oxidative stress.

Methods: The total eighteen rats were randomly assigned into three groups (n=6): control, PCOS, and PCOS+NaSH. PCOS was induced by intramuscular injection of estradiol valerate to induce PCOS in the PCOS and PCOS+NaSH groups. The PCOS+NaSH group received 30 μmol/L of NaSH in drinking water for 27 days after PCOS induction. Ovarian tissue samples were analyzed for oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Additional analyses measured H₂S levels, CBS, and CSE activity.

Results: PCOS induction led to a significant decrease in SOD activity, H₂S levels, and CBS and CSE activity, accompanied by a significant increase in MDA levels (p<0.0001). Furthermore, PCOS caused severe histological alterations in the ovaries. However, administration of NaSH effectively restored all measured parameters to pre-PCOS induction levels (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: This study showed that the decrease in the activity of H₂S-producing enzymes and H₂S levels may contribute to oxidative stress in PCOS. Therefore, administration of NaSH as a H₂S donor can be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for PCOS patients.