Objective:To investigate the effects of Jianpi Huatan Prescription on a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR) induced by letrozole combined with high fat diet based on the liver kinase B1 (LKB1)/AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway; To discuss its mechanism.Methods:A total of 40 SD female rats were divided into model group (30 rats) and blank group (10 rats). The model group rats were fed with high-fat feed from the first week of modeling for 8 consecutive weeks, and from the fourth week onwards, were given a daily gavage of letrozole solution for 5 consecutive weeks; the blank group was fed normally, and from the 4th week onwards, an equal amount of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution was administered. After the completion of modeling, the modeling group was divided into Jianpi Huatan Prescription group, Metformin group, and model group according to random number table method. The Jianpi Huatan Prescription group and the metformin group were given corresponding drug interventions, while the other two groups were simultaneously administered an equal amount of physiological saline for a total of 4 weeks. Ovarian morphological changes were observed using HE staining; intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was used to detect glucose tolerance in rats; Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen (E 2), total testosterone (T), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and fasting insulin (FINS) in rats; Real time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot techniques were used to detect changes in LKB1, AMPK mRNA and protein expression in the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway of rat ovarian tissue. Results:Compared with the model group, the polycystic changes in the ovaries of rats in the Jianpi Huatan Prescription group were improved, and the growth rate of body weight decreased. The levels of FBG, FINS, HOMA-IR, and IPGTT decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), while serum FSH and HDL-C levels were significantly up-regulated ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The levels of T, LH, LH/FSH, TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01); The mRNA and protein expression levels of LKB1 and AMPK in ovarian tissue increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Jianpi Huatan Prescription can improve PCOS-IR in rats caused by the combination of letrozole and high-fat diet, regulate various levels of sex hormones, and improve glucose and lipid metabolism disorders by regulating the LKB1/AMPK signaling pathway, which has a repairing effect on polycystic ovary disease in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of Jianpi Huatan Fang on lipid metabolism and expression levels of FOXO1 and PDK4 in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)and insulin resistance(IR).Methods Forty female rats were divided randomly into a blank control group(n=10)and a model group(n=30).A PCOS-IR rat model was established using a high-fat diet(8 weeks)combined with letrozole(added at weeks 4～8).Thirty successfully modeled rats were then divided randomly into a model control group,a Jianpi Huatan Fang group(11.07 g/kg),and a metformin group(0.2 g/kg)(n=10 rats per group).Drug intervention was given for 4 weeks.The general status,Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score,and weight changes were observed in each group.Histopathological changes in the ovary were detected by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Fasting blood glucose and blood lipids were measured using a blood biochemical analyzer.Levels of sex hormones including follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),luteinizing hormone(LH),testosterone(T),estradiol(E2),and insulin were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and changes in the expression of FOXO1 and PDK4 in the ovaries were determined by Western Blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Results Rats in the model control group exhibited symptoms of spleen deficiency and phlegm-dampness and showed significant weight gain,sex hormone disorders,polycystic ovarian changes,and dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism,compared with rats in the blank control group(P＜0.01).In addition,weight increase was slower in rats in the Jianpi Huatan Fang group and the metformin group compared with that in the model control group,and follicle development was improved.Serum LH,T,LH/FSH,fasting blood glucose,insulin,homeostatic model assessment for IR,cholesterol,triglycerides,and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased,estradiol and FSH increased,and ovarian FOXO1 and PDK4 mRNA and protein expression levels were down regulated in the Jianpi Huatan Fang group compared with the findings in the model control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content was also increased,but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05).Conclusions Jianpi Huatan Fang can effectively regulate sex hormone secretion,improve ovarian reproductive function,and regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in obese PCOS-IR rats,possibly via inhibiting the FOXO1/PDK4 pathway.