Moxibustion mitigates the ALK/JNK/NLRP3 pyroptosis signaling pathway and
kisspeptin-related protein expression in cyclophosphamide-induced
premature ovarian insufficiency rats
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of
moxibustion on the expression of kisspeptin-related proteins and its
association with the ALK/JNK/NLRP3 pyroptosis signaling pathway in rats
with chemotherapy-induced Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) induced
by cyclophosphamide (Cy). We sought to evaluate the therapeutic
potential of moxibustion and its protective effects against Cy-induced
POI. Methods: A POI model was established. Moxibustion treatment was
administered at acupoints SP6 and bilateral CV4. Following the
intervention, we compared the morphological characteristics of ovarian
and uterine tissues, as well as the number and morphological changes of
ovarian follicles. Pathological examination of ovarian tissue slices was
performed. Serum levels of FSH, LH, E2, AMH, IL-1β, and IL-18 were
quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Differences in ER
mRNA levels were assessed using quantitative reverse transcription
q-PCR. Western blotting was conducted to detect the expression of
pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3 and GSDMD, as well as NLRP3
inflammatory activation-related proteins ALK and JNK. The expression of
kisspeptin, P450Arom, and FSHR proteins was also analyzed. Estrous cycle
changes were statistically evaluated, and the increment in body weight
along with changes in ovarian and other visceral mass indices were
calculated. Results: The POI group exhibited significantly elevated
levels of FSH, LH, IL-1β, and IL-18 following Cy intervention, along
with upregulation of ALK,JNK,NLRP3,GSDMD proteins. In comparison to the
control group, the POI group showed a decrease in ovarian follicle
count, E2, AMH, Moxibustion altered the expression of kisspeptin,
P450Arom, and FSHR, as well as the aforementioned proteins, alleviating
biochemical abnormalities and delaying the progression of POI.
Significance: These findings support the hypothesis that moxibustion may
improve Cy-induced POI by mitigating NLRP3 inflammatory activation and
modulating the expression of proteins such as kisspeptin. Targeting
kisspeptin and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatory activation and granulosa
cell pyroptosis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for POI