Effect of TNF-α on molecules related to the insulin action in endometrial cells exposed to hyperandrogenic and hyperinsulinic conditions characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2017. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects not only ovarian functions but is also able to affect endometrium metabolism. Around 80% of women with PCOS are obese. High tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production and low adiponectin levels are characteristics of obesity. Interestingly, endometrium from obese women with PCOS presents an insulin-resistance condition, high TNF-α levels, and low adiponectin levels. However, TNF-α effect on molecules associated with insulin action in endometrial cells remains unclear. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate TNF-α effect on expression of molecules associated with adiponectin (insulin sensitizing) and TNF-α signaling pathways and on Glucose Transporter type 4 (GLUT-4) levels in human endometrial cells under the characteristic conditions of hyperandrogenic/hyperinsulinic (HA/HI) PCOS. Two human endometrial stromal cell lines (T-HESC/St-T1b) under HA/HI conditions were used to assay the effect of high TNF-α concentr