The inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by antioxidants inhibits the release of an autophagy marker in ectopic endometrial cells

Huixia Lu, Lu H, Hong Hu, Hu H, Yang Y, Yi Yang, Li S, Shaobo Li
Taiwanese journal of obstetrics & gynecology · 2020 · vol. 59(2) , pp. 256–261 · doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2020.01.014 · PMID:32127147 · W3007553317
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Antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cysteine and catalase reduced reactive oxygen species and the autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin-1 in ectopic endometrial cells of rats.

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis (EMs) and to investigate the role of antioxidant therapy on autophagy and the outcome of EMs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental rats were given an peritoneal perfusion of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC, 200 mg/kg) or catalase (CAT, 2000 U/mL). Immunofluorescence was then used to detect microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3). Western blotting was used to determine the levels of Beclin-1 protein while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure ROS levels after treatment. RESULTS: Fluorescent in situ hybridization showed that NAC and CAT influenced the levels of LC3, an autophagy marker; there were significantly lower levels of LC3 fluorescence in the EMs group (surgical group) of rats compared with controls (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis revealed a downregulation of Beclin-1 protein in both the NAC and CAT groups (p < 0.05) while ELISA revealed significantly lower levels of ROS in the NAC and CAT groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The antioxidants NAC and CAT significantly reduced levels of the autophagy marker LC3 and caused levels of Beclin-1 to significantly decrease. Consequently, antioxidant therapy shows potential for the future treatment of EMs.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Acetylcysteine Antioxidants Autophagy Catalase Reactive Oxygen Species Acetylcysteine Animals Antioxidants Autophagy Beclin-1 Beclin-1 Blotting, Western Catalase Disease Models, Animal Female In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence Microtubule-Associated Proteins Microtubule-Associated Proteins Rats Reactive Oxygen Species

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