Effects of testosterone on PPARγ and P450arom expression in polycystic ovary syndrome patients and related mechanisms

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes ovulation disorder and infertility in female patients. This study recruited PCOS patients and adopted testosterone therapy to analyze its effect on expression of nuclear peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) in ovary granular cells of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PCOS and non-PCOS patients were treated with testosterone at 1.0 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of PPAR gamma and P450arom while Western blot was performed for the evaluation of protein expression. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the level of PPAR gamma mRNA was significantly elevated whilst the expression of P450arom was statistically decreased (p < 0.05). The treatment of 10 nmol/l testosterone significantly elevated PPAR gamma mRNA and protein expression, and decreased P450arom expression (p < 0.05). The level of PPAR gamma was positively correlated with testosterone concentration, and was negatively correlated with P450arom expression (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone causes hyperandrogenism microenvironment of PCOS patients, with a correlated increase of PPAR gamma and reduction of P450arom.