Does progesterone have protective effects on ovarian I/R injury?

Abstract

Context: There is number of studies about neuroprotective effects of progesterone against global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of the progesterone (PG) against ovarian I/R injury by biochemical and histopathologic parameters. Methods: 21 Female wistar albino rats were utilized for creating three groups. Group 1: Sham, Group 2: I/R, Group 3: IR+PG (8 mg/kg). Progesterone was administered intraperitoneally into the rats in group 3, 30 minutes before detorsion operation. Main Outcome Measure(s): Ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury evaluated in serum and tissue by using biochemical parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), Neutrophil GelatinaseAssociated Lipocalin (NGAL) and immunoflourescence staining by TUNEL method was also studied.Results: Serum and tissue TOS levels were significantly lower in group 3 than group 2. Only tissue TAS levels were higher in group 3 than group 2 (p50.001). NGAL and MDA levels were similar between the groups. Histologic score including vascular congestion, hemorrhage, polymorphonuclear neutrophils, and interstitial edema was higher in group 2. Pre-treatment with progesterone decreased the score but this difference was not statistically significant. Apoptotic cell number was higher in group 2 than group 1 and 3. It was seen that the number of apoptotic cells was increased in the I/R group. TUNEL-positive cell number gradually decreased with progesterone in group 3. Conclusion: Conservative treatment with progesterone is beneficial for I/R injury, as progesterone has an ovarian protective effects by antiapopitotic and antioxidative properties.