Effects of Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound on Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in Premature Ovarian Failure Mice Induced by 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide
Abstract BackgroundPremature ovarian failure (POF) is a common disease in the field of gynecological. This study was performed to determine the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on granulosa cells (GCs) apoptosis and protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD)-induced POF mice. The aim of this research is to investigate the mechanisms of LIPUS on ovarian function and reserve capacity.MethodsThe current POF mice model was administrated with VCD (160 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection for 15 consecutive days. The mice were divided into POF group, LIPUS group and control group. In the LIPUS group, the right ovary of mice was treated by LIPUS (acoustic intensity was 200 mW/cm2, frequency was 0.3 MHz, and duty cycle was 20%) for 20 minutes, 15 consecutive days from day 16. The mice of the POF group and control group were treated without ultrasonic output. The basic observation, Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E staining), TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect the results.ResultsThe results showed that VCD can induce estrus cycle disorder, follicular atresia and GCs apoptosis in mice to establish POF model successfully. LIPUS significantly promoted follicular development, inhibited excessive follicular atresia and GCs apoptosis. The mechanism may be achieved by increasing the protein expression of Bcl-2 and decreasing the expression of Bax in ovaries.ConclusionsThese findings have the potential to provide novel methodological foundation for the future research, which help treat POF patients in the clinic.