Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent heterogeneous endocrine disorder characterized by ovulation dysfunction, androgen excess, ovarian polycystic changes, insulin resistance, and infertility. Although underlying mechanisms for PCOS are still unknown, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in granulosa cells (GCs) of PCOS patients have been reported. Here, we found that Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD⁺) levels in GCs of PCOS patients was significantly decreased when compared with controls. Also, we found that higher expression of inflammation factors, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, lower adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation, and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in GCs of PCOS patients. In addition, the NAD⁺ levels were decreased after activation of inflammation in human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) treated by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, supplementation of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a NAD⁺ precursor, could largely restore the NAD⁺ content, reduce ROS levels and improve mitochondrial function demonstrated by increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP generation in LPS-treated KGN cells. Our data suggested that inflammation decreased NAD⁺ levels in GCs of PCOS patients, while supplementation of NR could restore NAD⁺ levels and alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction in GCs of PCOS patients.

Graphical Abstract