search button
Open Access

Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells

  • Authors:
    • Xuening Li
    • Xiaodong Wu
    • Tianyi Ma
    • Yuemin Zhang
    • Pingping Sun
    • Dandan Qi
    • Huagang Ma

  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: February 23, 2023     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11860
  • Article Number: 161

  • Copyright: © Li et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )


Abstract

Granulosa cells (GCs) are important for supporting and nourishing oocytes during follicular development and maturation. Oxidative stress (OS) injury of GCs can lead to decreased responsiveness of follicles to follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), which will accelerate ovarian senescence and adversely affect oocyte and embryo quality. Since L‑carnitine has been previously reported to exert strong antioxidant activity, the present study aimed to explore the possible effects of L‑carnitine on OS injury and FSH receptor (FSHR) expression in ovarian GCs, results of which may be of significance for GCs protection. In the present study, OS was induced in vitro in KGN cells by treatment with H2O2. KGN cells were cultured and divided into the following four groups: Blank, OS, and 40 and 80 µmol/l L‑carnitine pre‑treatment groups. In the OS group, cells showed nuclear pyknosis, mitochondria swelled irregularly whilst featuring fractured cristae. In addition, cell viability, ROS levels, superoxide dismutase levels, glutathione levels, malondialdehyde levels, the mitochondrial membrane potential and FSHR expression, as determined by Cell Counting Kit‑8 (CCK‑8), 2,7‑dichloro‑dihydrofluorescein diacetate, spectrophotometry, ELISA, spectrophotometry, JC‑1 and western blot analyses, respectively, were all significantly different in the OS group compared with those in the control group. However, malonaldehyde levels, reactive oxygen species levels and the apoptosis rate according to flow cytometry were all significantly increased compared with those in the control. Compared with those in the OS group, the morphology of cells and mitochondria in the L‑carnitine pre‑treatment groups were improved, whilst cell viability and the expression of FSHR were significantly increased but oxidative stress injury was decreased. The present results suggest that L‑carnitine can protect the cells from OS damage induced by H2O2, enhance antioxidant activity whilst suppressing the apoptosis of GCs, in addition to preserving FSHR expression in GCs under OS. Therefore, the present study revealed that the introduction of L‑carnitine in clinical medicine or dietary supplement may protect GCs, improve follicular quality and female reproductive function.
View Figures
View References

Related Articles

Journal Cover

April-2023
Volume 25 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

Sign up for eToc alerts

Recommend to Library

  • Journal Metrics
  • Impact Factor: 2.4
  • Ranked Medicine Research and Experimental
    (total number of cites)
International Symposium on Molecular Medicine Conference Banner
The Cancer Story
World Congress on Advances in Oncology and International Symposium on Molecular Medicine Conference Banner
World Academy Of Sciences Banner
Heyday Road Banner

0

Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li X, Wu X, Ma T, Zhang Y, Sun P, Qi D and Ma H: Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells. Exp Ther Med 25: 161, 2023.
APA
Li, X., Wu, X., Ma, T., Zhang, Y., Sun, P., Qi, D., & Ma, H. (2023). Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 25, 161. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11860
MLA
Li, X., Wu, X., Ma, T., Zhang, Y., Sun, P., Qi, D., Ma, H."Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25.4 (2023): 161.
Chicago
Li, X., Wu, X., Ma, T., Zhang, Y., Sun, P., Qi, D., Ma, H."Protective effect of L‑carnitine against oxidative stress injury in human ovarian granulosa cells". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 25, no. 4 (2023): 161. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2023.11860