Exploring the Effect of Telmisartan on Inflammatory, Oxidative, and Hormonal Markers in an Animal Model of Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Implications for Adolescents with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting adolescent girls of reproductive age, with a global prevalence of 5 to 20% and as high as 23% in North Africa and the Middle East, including Iraq, among adolescent girls who have features of hyperandrogenism and menstrual irregularities. The major way of diagnosing PCOS is the Rotterdam criteria, characterized by hyperandrogenism, irregular menstrual cycles, and changes in ovarian morphology. In adolescents, the diagnosis requires the fulfillment of criteria for both hyperandrogenism (either clinical or biochemical) and oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea, and ovarian indicators are not relevant. A poor response to standard treatment will necessitate exploring a therapeutic agent targeting a more specific molecular target. Recent data highlight the role of renin-angiotensin system in ovarian function and pathophysiology of PCOS. This study aims at assessing the effects of telmisartan in the letrazole-induced PCOS rat model by measuring levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). 28 female rats were divided into four groups, with seven rats per group (a control group, a PCOS group (induced by letrozole, 1mg/kg/day for 30 days), metformin group, and telmisartan group. This study showed that administration of letrozole leads to increased levels of LH, testosterone and reduced levels of FSH, IL-10, and TAC, mimicking PCOS features. These abnormalities can be restored by telmisartan at 10 mg/kg/day for 28 days, which reduces LH, testosterone, and enhances FSH, IL-10, and TAC. Such a result revealed that telmisartan has a promising role in    

COS treatment.