An investigation of the potential effects of amitriptyline on polycystic ovary syndrome induced by estradiol valerate

Abstract

Abstract Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is frequently observed in adolescent women and usually progresses with depression. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of amitriptyline (AMI), a drug used in the treatment of depression, in individuals with PCOS. Forty 12-week-old female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups; control, sham, PCOS, AMI, PCOS+AMI. In order to induce the syndrome in the PCOS groups, a single dose of 4mg/kg estradiol valerate was administered by intraperitoneal injection, 10mg/kg AMI was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 30days in the AMI groups. After 30days, all the animals were sacrificed and blood, ovary, brain tissues were collected, subjected to routine tissue processing. Stereological, histopathological analyses were performed on the ovarian sections, while LH, FSH, CAT, and SOD levels were investigated in blood samples. The volume of the corpus luteum and preantral follicles increased in the PCOS group, while a decrease was determined in the number of antral follicles using stereological methods. Biochemical analysis revealed that FSH levels increased and CAT enzyme levels decreased in the PCOS group. Significant morphological changes were observed in ovaries from the PCOS group. The volume of the corpus luteum in the PCOS+AMI group decreased compared to the PCOS group. Serum FSH levels decreased in the PCOS+AMI group, while CAT enzyme levels increased compared to the PCOS group. Degenerative areas were also seen in the PCOS+AMI group ovaries. AMI administration was unable to sufficiently ameliorate the morphological and biochemical changes caused in the ovarian tissues by PCOS.