Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Pivot Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Target Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
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Query: UNIPROT:P31749 (
AKT
)
22,954
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Melatonin can be synthesized and secreted not only by the pineal gland but also by many extra-pineal tissues. It has been shown that many ovarian functions are regulated by melatonin locally.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
(
OHSS
) is a serious complication during ovulation induction of the in vitro fertilization treatment. To date, the etiology of
OHSS
is not fully understood. However, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is recognized as a critical mediator for the pathogenesis of
OHSS
. High expression of melatonin has been detected in the follicular fluid of
OHSS
patients. However, whether VEGF expression can be regulated by melatonin in human granulosa cells and further contributes to the pathogenesis of
OHSS
remain unknown. In this study, we show that melatonin stimulates VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein (hGL) cells. Our results reveal that the MT2 receptor and activation of
AKT
are involved in melatonin-induced VEGF expression. Using a rat
OHSS
model, we report that the VEGF levels are up-regulated in the ovaries of
OHSS
rats. Blocking the melatonin system by administrating MT2 receptor antagonist, 4-P-PDOT, alleviates
OHSS
symptoms by decreasing the expression of VEGF. In addition, the expression levels of melatonin and VEGF in the follicular fluid of
OHSS
patients are up-regulated and positively correlated. This study demonstrates an important role for melatonin in regulating the pathogenesis of
OHSS
.
...
PMID:Melatonin stimulates VEGF expression in human granulosa-lutein cells: A potential mechanism for the pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. 3279 Nov 90
