Etanercept Ameliorates Vascular, Endocrine, and Ovarian Changes in a Rat Model of DHEA-Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. This study examined the efficacy of etanercept (ETA), an anti-TNF-α drug, in alleviating endocrine, metabolic, and vascular dysfunction in a rat model of PCOS. Prepubertal female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, PCOS, and PCOS+ETA. The PCOS groups received dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment, whereas the PCOS+ETA group received both DHEA and ETA. After 35 days, various biomarkers were evaluated, including systemic blood pressure, endothelial function, and eNOS and TNF-α expression levels in the thoracic aorta and ovaries. The PCOS group exhibited ovarian morphological changes, increased body weight, and hormonal imbalances, whereas the PCOS+ETA group showed restored levels of these parameters. Systemic blood pressure, urinary albumin levels, and protein excretion did not differ significantly differ among the groups. Endothelium-dependent relaxation, eNOS expression, TNF-α expression in the thoracic aorta, and TNF-α expression in the ovaries were restored to normal levels in the PCOS+ETA group. Furthermore, ovarian morphology was improved in the PCOS+ETA group. In conclusion, etanercept treatment shows promise in mitigating hormonal disturbances and vascular dysfunction in patients with PCOS, suggesting potential therapeutic advantages.