Hypothalamic DNA Methylation in Rats with Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Effects of Low-Frequency Electro-Acupuncture

September 2018 in “ Experimental physiology ”

Peng Cui, Tong Ma, Amin Tamadon, Han Sha, Bing Li, Zheyi Chen, Xiaofei An, Ruijin Shao, Yan-Qing Wang, Yi Feng

dihydrotestosterone polycystic ovary syndrome hypothalamic DNA methylation DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3b low-frequency electro-acupuncture reproductive dysfunction body weight depression-like behaviors PCOS candidate genes DHT PCOS EA

TLDR Electro-acupuncture may help treat PCOS in rats by changing brain DNA methylation.

The study explored the connection between hypothalamic DNA methylation and the development of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in rats, as well as the therapeutic effects of low-frequency electro-acupuncture (EA). It was found that rats with PCOS-like symptoms had increased global DNA methylation and higher expression of DNA methyltransferases, particularly Dnmt3b. EA treatment was observed to reduce these methylation levels and improve symptoms such as reproductive dysfunction, body weight, and depression-like behaviors. Changes in the methylation of specific PCOS candidate genes were also noted, indicating that hypothalamic DNA methylation is significant in the development of PCOS and that EA can influence these methylation patterns. The study suggests that EA could be a potential treatment for PCOS by targeting hypothalamic DNA methylation, although the number of rats used in the study was not specified in the summary.

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