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P-476 Metformin ameliorated testosterone-induced ferroptosis via inhibiting ferritinophagy in trophoblasts of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) placentas

H. Zhou, W. Yang, H. Zhu, S. Zhang

Human Reproduction, 2023

50 participants · 2 citations

Abstract

Does trophoblasts of PCOS patients with aberrant iron metabolism, and how does metformin ameliorate androgen-induced ferroptosis in trophoblasts in vivo and in vitro?

Metformin ameliorates placental development and attenuates spontaneous miscarriage rate in early gestation by inhibiting ferritinophagy in trophoblasts of PCOS patients with hyperandrogenism.

PCOS is a common reproductive endocrine disease in women of reproductive age, and a large proportion of patients present with hyperandrogenism. Studies have found that the incidences of spontaneous miscarriage and adverse pregnancy outcomes in PCOS patients are higher than those in healthy controls, which placental dysfunction is an important factor. It is related to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and metabolic disorders. Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent and phospholipid peroxidation-mediated cell death. Studies have shown that iron ions participate in a variety of biochemical reactions in humans, and its abnormal metabolism may lead to some diseases especially in the reproductive system.

Villi at gestational weeks of 6-8 were collected from 18 healthy controls and 18 women with PCOS. Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) were isolated from fresh villi (6-8 weeks, n = 3) and cultured with testosterone, ferroptosis or autophagy inhibitors, metformin, or NCOA4 small interfering RNA. A dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced PCOS C57BL/6 mouse model was treated with or without metformin (3 months before mating) (n = 20…

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