PPAR gamma ligands regulate the expression of inflammatory mediators in porcine endometrium during LPS-induced inflammation

Inflammation in the female reproductive system is one of the most common causes of reproductive dysfunction such as infertility, delay in of the reproductive cycle and a reduction in reproductive capacity. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligands on the expression of selected inflammatory mediators: nuclear factor kappa ( NF-κB ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10 , leukemia inhibitory factor ( LIF ) and toll-like receptor 4 in the porcine endometrium treated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on days 10–12 and 18–20 of the estrous cycle. In addition, two experimental protocols were applied to evaluate the role of PPARγ agonists in ongoing and developing inflammation. Endometrial slices were incubated in vitro in the presence of LPS (to induce inflammation) and PPARγ agonists, prostaglandin J 2 or pioglitazone (natural or synthetic, respectively). The study showed that PPARγ agonists decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory ( NF-κB, TLR4, IL-6 ) and increased the abundance of anti-inflammatory mediators ( IL-10 ) in the inflamed endometrium of pigs. These findings indicate anti-inflammatory properties of the tested ligands. • PPARγ agonists indicate anti-inflammatory properties in inflamed porcine endometrium. • PPARγ activation decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the inflamed endometrium of pigs. • PPARγ activation enhanced the expression of anti-inflammatory mediators in the inflamed endometrium of pigs.