• The effect of Naproxen on StAR gene expression and the marker of oxidative stress, Superoxide dismutase in Wistar rats, a model of polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Maryam Naseroleslami ,1,* Naz Hajizadeh,2 Amirhesam Azizi,3 Abdolkarim Hosseini,4 Saghi Hakimi Naeini,5
    1. 1. Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    3. Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    4. Department of Animal Sciences and Marine biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
    5. Department of Animal Sciences and Marine biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most important causes of infertility in the world. Therefore, prevention and treatment strategies for this disease are very important. Since the signaling pathways related to StAR gene expression and oxidative stress are involved in the progression of this disease, the effect of Naproxen drug on these pathways was investigated.
  • Methods: In this research, 30 virgin Wistar rats weighing 200-250 grams were randomly divided into five control groups, patients induced with estradiol valerate (EV) and patients receiving naproxen 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg. After blood collection, serum was isolated and antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured. RT-PCR was also performed to check StAR gene expression in ovary tissue. One-way statistical analysis of variance and Tukey's test with a significance level of p<0.05 was used to compare between groups.
  • Results: The serum level of SOD in the EV group showed a significant decrease compared to the control group, but a significant increase in the groups treated with naproxen (p<0.05). The expression of StAR gene in the EV group increased compared to the control (p<0.001), but all three doses of naproxen could significantly reduce the expression of this gene compared to the patient group (p<0.05). Naproxen in the doses used in this study was able to reduce inflammation in PCOS rats and improve the disease by increasing the level of SOD. Also, naproxen reduced the expression of the main gene of the steroidogenesis pathway, namely StAR, which in this way reduces the level of androgen.
  • Conclusion: The result of this condition is the improvement of PCOS. It seems that naproxen can be used to control and reduce the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome; StAR gene; superoxide dismutase; rat