Leptin expression in adipocytes culture of PCOS-induced rats: in vitro study

Abstract

Adipose tissue is characterized as a specialized connective tissue, consisting of cells called adipocytes - cells that secrete adipose tissue that, in addition to fatty acids, secrete several proteins called adipokines with important functions, such as leptin. Leptin is regulated according to a number of factors, including the plasma concentration of testosterone, androgens pathologically increased in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This endocrine disease is one of the most common in women of reproductive age, characterized heterogeneously by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction involving menstrual dysfunction and the presence of polycystic ovary. Conflicting results on the expression of leptin and plasma testosterone levels in women with the syndrome leave important doubts about the possible metabolic interrelationships between the ovaries and adipose tissue. Therefore, the present project aims to study the effects of different concentrations of testosterone on cell viability, quantification and expression of leptin in adipocyte cultures of PCOS-induced rats. For the in vitro analyzes, adipocytes of periovarian and inguinal adipose tissue will be used, and challenged with different concentrations of testosterone. (AU)