Effects of chrysin on Kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin neurons and gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene expression in stress-induced rats: An experimental study

Background: A subpopulation of neurons known as Kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin (KNDy) are located in the hypothalamus. These neurons co-express and release the corresponding neuropeptides. KNDy neurons are important in the reproductive process and can be affected by a number of factors, such as stress. Objective: To investigate the effect of chrysin as an anti-stress agent on the gene expression of hypothalamic Kisspeptin (Kiss۱), tachykinin ۲ (Tac۲), pro-dynorphin (Pdyn), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) in stress model rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ۳۰ male Wistar rats (۲۰۰ ± ۱۰ gr, ۸ wk old) were randomly assigned into ۶ groups (n = ۵/each). The rats were subjected to stress for ۲ hr. The control and stress groups received normal saline. Chrysin (۴۰ or ۲۰ μg, intracerebroventricular injection, single dose) was injected into stress-induced rats, respectively. Also, intact groups received chrysin (۴۰ or ۲۰ μg, intracerebroventricular injection, single dose). Hypothalamic tissue was removed. Relative gene expression was assessed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Expression of Kiss۱ (p ≤ ۰.۰۰۱), GnRH (p = ۰.۰۰۲), and Tac۲ genes (p = ۰.۰۰۲) decreased, and the expression of Pdyn (p = ۰.۰۲) increased, in the stress group compared to the control group. No significant increase was observed in the expression of Kiss۱, GnRH, and Tac۲ genes in rats treated with chrysin (۴۰ or ۲۰ μg) compared to the stress group; however, it caused a significant decrease in the expression of Pdyn gene compared to the stress group (p = ۰.۰۲, p = ۰.۰۱). Conclusion: Chrysin may regulate the reproductive axis via modulation of hypothalamic KNDy gene expression following stress suppression.

کلیدواژه ها:

Kisspeptin ، Gonadotropin-releasing hormone ، Dynorphin ، Neurokinin B ، Chrysin ، Rat. ، کیسپپتین ، هورمون آزادکننده گنادوتروپین ، دینورفین ، نوروکینین B ، کرایزین ، رت.