Expression of PPAR-γ in adipose tissue of rats with polycystic ovary syndrome induced by DHEA.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) in adipose tissue of the rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Sixteen sexually immature Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to the DHEA (n=8) or control (n=8) group. Adipose tissue was collected from the two rat groups following subcutaneous injection of DHEA in the DHEA group and a standard laboratory diet in the control group for 20 consecutive days. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were performed to detect expression of PPAR-γ at the mRNA and protein level in the adipose tissue. Both PPAR-γ mRNA and protein levels were decreased in the adipose tissue of DHEA‑induced PCOS rats compared to the control group. This decrease was significant (P<0.01). These results suggest that the pathogenesis of PCOS, which shares a number of common features with hyperandrogenemia, may involve the lipid metabolism pathway through inhibition of PPAR-γ.