The Role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus as a Probiotic in Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Female Rats: An Experimental Study | ||||
| Microbial Biosystems | ||||
| Volume 10, Issue 3, September 2025 | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/mb.2025.386313.1320 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Farah Jalal Sahib 1; Juman K Al-Sabbagh  2; Mayada Sahib Hassan 1
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| 1University of Kerbala University of Kerbala | ||||
| 2University of Kerbala University of Kerbala | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a predominant endocrine disorder categorized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, insulin resistance, and chronic inflammation, has been increasingly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. This experimental study investigated the therapeutic potential of Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotics in a letrozole-induced PCOS rat model, focusing on oxidative stress parameters, hormonal regulation, inflammatory mediators, and histopathological changes. Twenty-four female rats were allocated into three groups: negative control, letrozole-induced PCOS (positive control), and probiotic-treated PCOS. Following 8 weeks of intervention, biochemical analyses demonstrated that probiotic supplementation significantly improved oxidative stress markers, increasing SOD (173.5±2.34 to 289.8±6.41, p<0.001) and GSH (64.15±3.40 to 140.9±3.46, p<0.0001), while MDA levels remained unchanged (p=0.064). Hormonal regulation was enhanced, with LH decreasing (9.94±0.52 to 5.20±0.52, p=0.001), testosterone reduced (29.51±1.07 to 21.75±0.72, p<0.001), and FSH restored (3.52±0.45 to 7.55±0.58, p=0.001), supporting follicular development. Insulin levels dropped significantly (20.66±0.95 to 5.44±0.68, p=0.0001), indicating improved insulin sensitivity. Inflammatory cytokines were notably decreased, with IL-6 (169.6±1.48 to 142.01±2.97, p=0.001) and IL-18 (46.62±1.30 to 40.02±0.85, p≤0.001), showing reduced systemic inflammation. Histopathological analysis confirmed ovarian structure restoration and improved liver morphology. Histopathological examination showed remarkable ovarian architecture restoration with increased corpora lutea and decreased follicular cysts, alongside amelioration of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. These findings substantiate that L. rhamnosus probiotic intervention effectively mitigates PCOS manifestations through multi-modal mechanisms, including oxidative stress reduction, hormonal balance restoration, inflammation suppression, and tissue pathology improvement, positioning it as a promising adjunctive therapy for PCOS management. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| FSH; Gut microbiota; Lactobacilli; LH; Ovarian dysfunction | ||||
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