Expression and significance of Hoxa10 in the endometrium of rat model of polycystic ovarian syndrome treated with metformin

    LI Xiaoª²Dong, MA Yuª²Mei, ZHANG Jieª²Ying, WANG Wei, HAO Guiª²Min, CAI Jianª²Hui

    Department of Gynecology and Obstetric, Department of Pathoª²logy, Department of Reproduction, Department of Surgery, Seª²cond Hospital, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To study the protein expressions of Hoxa10, insulin (INS) and insulin receptor (INSª²R) in the endometrium of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rat before and after therapy with metformin. METHODS: Fiftyª²four female SD rats aged 85 d were divided into control group (n=20), PCOS model group (n=17) and metformin treatment group (n=17) randomly. The rats in the latter 2 groups were induced by Poretsky¬ðs method for PCOS modeling, followed by administration of placebo or metformin respectively. After 14 d treatment, the rats were sacrificed and the expressions of Hoxa10, INS and INSª²R in endometrium were detected by ElivisionTM Plus twoª²step staining. Serum testosterone and insulin were also detected. RESULTS: The expressions of Hoxa10 and INSª²R were decreased (P<0.01, P=0.012) in the endometrium of PCOS group but that of INS was increased (P=0.003). In the metformin treatment group, Hoxa10 expression was raised (P<0.01) and INS level declined (P=0.043), which were lower than the levels of control group (P<0.01, P=0.037). There was little change for INSª²R. Serum testosterone and insulin declined after metformin treatment (P<0.01, P=0.048). CONCLUSION: INS resistance and decreased endometrial receptivity may exist in the endometrium of PCOS rats, which can partially be corrected with metformin. ......