Abstract
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex disease related to the endocrine and metabolism. Its specific cause and pathogenesis have not been clear. Nesfatin-1 could not only regulate energy balance and glucose metabolism, but also affect the reproductive system. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway affects follicle development, ovulation, corpus luteum formation, and steroid hormone production. Results Here, we studied the roles of nesfatin-1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Firstly, the human primary ovarian granulosa cells in vitro was cultured. The results showed that the apoptosis rate of ovarian granulosa cells in polycystic ovary syndrome patients was significantly higher than that of granular cells in normal people. Moreover, nesfatin-1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor IWR-1could inhibit the expressions of ovarian granulosa cells apoptosis genes and promote their proliferation, as well as nesfatin-1 affected the expressions of foxo3a and its downstream factors. Then, an in vitro culture system for ovarian granulosa cells (OGCs) was established by employing a rat model. The results are the same with those mentioned above. Conclusion This strongly proves that the nesfatin-1 participates in regulating the apoptosis and proliferation of granulosa cells by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. According to the role of nesfatin-1 and IWR in polycystic ovary syndrome, nesfatin-1 and Wnt/β-catenin pathway can provide a guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).