Research Article

Curcumin in Combination with Aerobic Exercise Improves Follicular Dysfunction via Inhibition of the Hyperandrogen-Induced IRE1α/XBP1 Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in PCOS-Like Rats

Figure 2

ER stress is activated in ovaries of DHEA-induced PCOS rats and may cause ovarian dysfunction. (a) The levels of IRE1α, p-IRE1α, GRP-78, and CHOP were measured with immunohistochemical staining. (b–e) The expression of IRE1α, p-IRE1α, XBP1, PERK, ATF-6, GRP-78, and CHOP in ovaries was assessed by western blot assay. (f, g) The expression of apoptosis proteins cleaved-caspase-12, Bax, and cleaved-caspase-3 in ovaries was assessed by western blot assay. (h, i) The expression of Ar, Cyp11α1, and Cyp19α1 in ovaries was assessed by western blot assay. Three independent experiments were performed with similar results. Data are shown as . .
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