Huzhou Central Hospital

To investigate whether sonocavitation, induced by low-intensity focused ultrasound combined with microbubbles, can overcome paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer by promoting apoptosis through reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines were compared with chemotherapy-sensitive counterparts for the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Sonocavitation treatment was applied to resistant cells using optimized ultrasound parameters. Apoptosis, ROS production, mitochondrial morphology, oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane proteins were evaluated by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, oxygen consumption assays, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) measurements, mitochondrial membrane potential assay kit staining and Western blotting. In vivo antitumor efficacy and biosafety were examined in paclitaxel-resistant xenograft mouse models, with tumor growth curves, survival analysis, and hematological/organ histology assessments.

Paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer tissues exhibited elevated Bcl-2 and reduced Bax and Caspase-3, indicating impaired intrinsic apoptosis. Sonocavitation significantly increased apoptosis in resistant ovarian cancer cells and induced marked mitochondrial dysfunction, including reduced mitochondrial size, disrupted oxygen consumption, decreased ATP levels, collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and destruction of mitochondrial membrane proteins. Cytochrome c release and activation of cleaved Caspase-3 confirmed mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. In vivo, sonocavitation suppressed tumor growth and prolonged survival without causing systemic toxicity. ROS scavengers partially reversed these effects, confirming that ROS accumulation is a key mediator of the therapeutic mechanism.

Sonocavitation induces apoptosis in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer through ROS-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and demonstrates effective tumor-suppressive activity with a favorable safety profile. These findings support sonocavitation as a promising adjuvant strategy to overcome chemoresistance and enhance ovarian cancer treatment outcomes.

Menstrual stoppage, follicular dysplasia, and hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenism in women under forty are among the symptoms of premature ovarian failure (POF). This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of amygdalin on ovarian function in a POF mouse model.

A POF mouse model was established via injection of D-galactose (D-gal), followed by amygdalin treatment. Histological staining of ovarian tissues was applied to determine follicular development and granulosa cell apoptosis. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in ovarian tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels in ovaries.

D-gal increased levels of FSH, LH, ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Bax, atretic follicles, and granulosa cell apoptosis, and decreased P, E2, AMH, SOD, GSH-px, Bcl-2, and primordial, primary, secondary, and total follicles (p<0.01). Amygdalin with different concentrations reversed the effects of D-gal on mice (p<0.05).

Amygdalin improved ovarian function in POF mice through inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and granulosa cell apoptosis. These results suggested that amygdalin may be a potential antioxidant for POF treatment.