Irisin Improves Endometrial Receptivity in Obese Rats Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

To investigate the effects of irisin on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the endometrium of obese rats.

Seventy-two female Sprague Dawley rats of 5 weeks old were randomly divided into the normal group (n = 24) and obese group (n = 48). The obese group was fed a high-fat diet, while the normal group was fed a conventional diet. After successful modeling, obese rats were randomly divided into the model group (n = 24) and irisin group (n = 24). The irisin group was given an intraperitoneal injection of recombinant irisin every day, while the model group and the normal group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. Then, female rats in estrus were mated with male rats. Twelve rats were sacrificed in each group on Day 5 and day 10 of pregnancy. The pregnancy rate, average number of blastocysts, histological and morphological changes were observed; the expression of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), integrin αvβ3, Wnt4, and β-catenin in the uterus of rats was detected.

Compared with the normal group, levels of pregnancy rate, average number of blastocyst, LIF, integrin αvβ3, Wnt4, and β-catenin in the endometrium of the model group rats were significantly decreased. After irisin intervention, compared with the model group, levels of pregnancy rate, average number of blastocyst, LIF, integrin αvβ3, Wnt4, and β-catenin in the endometrium of the irisin group were significantly increased.

Irisin may improve endometrial receptivity in obese rats, potentially involving the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.