Investigation of Bax and Bcl-2 Expression Following Ghrelin Administration in Experimental Ischemia-Reperfusion of the Rat Ovary

Articles in Press

Document Type : Obstetrics & Theriogenology

Authors

1 Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran

3 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, Khorram Abad, Iran

Abstract

Background :Ovarian torsion is an emergency condition caused by the rotation of the ovary around its axis, leading to reduced blood flow, ischemia, and tissue necrosis. Ghrelin, a hormone with multiple physiological roles including apoptosis modulation and cell death regulation, has been proposed as a potential agent for managing ischemia-reperfusion injury in the ovary.

Objective :This study aimed to investigate the effects of ghrelin on the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax and anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 in the ovaries of rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: In this experimental study, 21 female rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Sham (normal saline treatment without ischemia), Ischemia (induced ischemia-reperfusion and treated with normal saline), and Ghrelin (induced ischemia-reperfusion and treated with ghrelin). Ghrelin was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 nmol, 30 minutes before ischemia induction and simultaneously with torsion. After completion of the experiment, ovarian samples were collected for immunohistochemical evaluation of Bax and Bcl-2 expression.

Results: Ghrelin treatment significantly decreased Bax expression in corpus luteum, stroma, granulosa, and theca cells compared to the ischemia group (P<0.05). Additionally, Bcl-2 expression was significantly increased in granulosa and theca cells (P<0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in corpus luteum and stroma cells (P>0.05). Histopathological assessments revealed relative tissue improvement with reduced inflammation and necrosis in the ghrelin-treated group compared to the ischemia group.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that ghrelin exerts a protective effect against ischemia-reperfusion-induced ovarian injury by reducing apoptotic cell death. Therefore, ghrelin may serve as a promising therapeutic adjunct for managing complications related to ovarian torsion.

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Journal of Veterinary Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 February 2026

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