Berberine Improves the Symptoms of DHEA-Induced PCOS Rats by Regulating Gut Microbiotas and Metabolites
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of berberine on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR).
DESIGN: This study performed 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rats treated with berberine, focusing on the improvement of PCOS-IR by modifying gut microbiota and metabolism.
METHODS: Forty-two female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups of 8 rats each (PCOS + HFD, PCOS + HFD + BBR, NCD + PCOS, and NCD + PCOS + BBR groups). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index-related indicators and hormone level in serum were analyzed. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis were performed on DHEA-induced PCOS rats treated with berberine. In addition, the differential microbiotas and metabolites were screened. Also, enrichment analysis was carried out on the differential metabolites. Finally, we constructed a correlation network to analyze the correlation between differential microbiotas and metabolites.
RESULTS: Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were changed at the phylum level, and Romboutsia, Bacteroides, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 were changed at the genus level after berberine treatment. In addition, a total of 26 differential operational taxonomic units and 3 metabolites (glutamine, unsaturated acids [CH = CH], and glucose) between 2 groups were obtained. Moreover, these metabolites were mainly involved in type 2 diabetes…
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