Catechins from oolong tea improve uterine defects by inhibiting STAT3 signaling in polycystic ovary syndrome mice.

Background: It is showed that inflammation is causative factor for PCOS, leading to a decline in ovarian fertility. Previous studies have reported that tea consumption can reduce the incidence of ovarian cancer. We speculate that catechins from oolong tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) may have a potential therapeutic effect on PCOS. This study aims to investigate the effects of oolong tea catechins on the uterus of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mice induced by insulin combined with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Methods: Sixty female mice were divided into 6 groups (n = 10): model, model + Metformin 200 mg/kg, model + catechins 25 mg/kg, model + catechins 50 mg/kg, and model + catechins 100 mg/kg. Another forty female mice were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): control, control + catechins 100 mg/kg, model, and model + catechins 100 mg/kg. Ovarian and uterine weight coefficients, sex hormone levels, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, and ovarian and uterine pathology were examined. Changes in NF-κB-mediated inflammation, MMP2 and MMP9 expressions, and STAT3 signaling were evaluated in the uterus of mice.

Results: Catechins could effectively reduce the ovarian and uterine organ coefficients, reduce the levels of E2, FSH and LH in the blood and the ratio of LH/FSH, and improve glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in PCOS mice induced by insulin combined with hCG. In addition, catechins could significantly down-regulated the expression of p-NF-κB p65 in the uterus and the protein expressions of the pro-inflammatory factors (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). The expressions of mmp2 and mmp9 associated with matrix degradation in uterine tissue were also significantly down-regulated by catechins. Further, catechins significantly reduced the expression of p-STAT3 and increased the expression of p-IRS1 and p-PI3K in the uterus of PCOS mice.

Conclusion: Catechins from oolong tea can alleviate ovarian dysfunction and insulin resistance in PCOS mice by inhibiting uterine inflammation and matrix degradation via inhibiting p-STAT3 signaling.