Administration of testosterone improves the prothrombotic and antifibrinolytic parameters associated with its deficiency in an orchidectiomized rat model

This study investigated the effect of testosterone deficiency and replacement on platelets function and aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis in young adult healthy male rats. Rats were classified into three groups (n = 6/group) of either “a sham-operated+ vehicle,” “an orchidectomized (ORX)+ vehicle,” and “an ORX+testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg, 3X/week, S.C).” All treatments were carried out for 12 weeks. Our results showed that ORX rats had induced platelets aggregation and coagulation and inhibited fibrinolysis. ORX-induced rats had increased ratios of adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation, shorter bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time and their sera showed increased levels of thromboxane B2 and fibrinogen levels. Concomitantly, their plasma showed increased TPA-1 and decreased tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels. At molecular levels, the aorta of ORX-induced rats showed increased aortic mRNA and protein levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), protein levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and decreased mRNA and protein levels of tPA, and their liver showed increased protein levels of prothrombin and factor VII. Testosterone post-therapy to ORX-induced rats significantly reversed all these hematological and molecular changes. In conclusion, independent of any other risk factors, testosterone deficiency induces platelets aggregation and hypercoagulation and inhibits fibrinolysis, effects that can be reversed by testosterone therapy.     

Increased risk of eating disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract

Data on eating disorders in women with PCOS is insufficient. The objective of this case study was to examine the hypothesis that women with PCOS exhibit more impaired eating than healthy women. Women diagnosed with PCOS under the 2003 Rotterdam Diagnostic Criteria (n?=?40) were compared with a healthy control group (n?=?40). The groups also were divided into two as normal body weight and overweight/obese. The Eating Disorders Assessment Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21), were completed by all participants in order to evaluate eating behaviors in addition to eating disorders. Among the overweight/obese group, the average total and subscale scores of the EDE-Q as well as the total and sub-factor scores of the TFEQ-R21 were higher in women with PCOS compared to controls (p?<?.05). However, this statistically significant result was not shown among the women with normal weight (p?>?.05). In comparison to the controls, the PCOS women displayed higher values of the tool scores indicating abnormal restraint eating, body shape concern and weight concern subscale scores (p?<?.05). This result suggests that the evaluation of eating disorders should be added to routine screening and the monitoring of women with PCOS.     

Clinical Spectrum of Capillary Malformation–Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome Presenting to a Pediatric Dermatology Practice: A Retrospective Study

Capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM‐AVM) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by RASA1 mutations. The prevalence and phenotypic spectrum are unknown. Evaluation of patients with multiple CMs is challenging because associated AVMs can be life threatening. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of children presenting with features of CM‐AVM to an academic pediatric dermatology practice. After institutional review board approval was received, a retrospective chart review was performed of patients presenting between 2009 and 2012 with features of CM‐AVM. We report nine cases. Presenting symptoms ranged from extensive vascular stains and cardiac failure to CMs noted incidentally during routine skin examination. All demonstrated multiple CMs, two had Parkes Weber syndrome, and two had multiple infantile hemangiomas. Seven patients had family histories of multiple CMs; three had family histories of large, atypical CMs. Six had personal or family histories of AVMs. Genetic evaluation was recommended for all and was pursued by six families; four RASA1 mutations were identified, including one de novo. Consultations with neurology, cardiology, and orthopedics were recommended. Most patients (89%) have not required treatment to date. CM‐AVM is an underrecognized condition with a wide clinical spectrum that often presents in childhood. Further evaluation may be indicated in patients with multiple CMs. This study is limited by its small and retrospective nature.     

Therapeutic applications of dental pulp stem cells in regenerating dental,periodontal and oral-related structures

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) have emerged as a promising tool with great potential for use in tissue regeneration and engineering. Some of the main advantages of these cells are their multifaceted differentiation capacity, along with their high proliferation rate, a relative simplicity of extraction and culture that enables obtaining patient-specific cell lines for their use in autologous cell therapy. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant articles related to the use of DPSCs in regeneration of dentin-pulp complex (DPC), periodontal tissues, salivary gland and craniomaxillofacial bone defects. Few studies were found regarding the use of DPSCs for regeneration of DPC. Scaffold-based combined with DPSCs isolated from healthy pulps was the strategy used for DPC regeneration. Studies involved subcutaneous implantation of scaffolds loaded with DPSCs pretreated with odontogenic media, or performed on human tooth root model as a root slice. Most of the studies were related to periodontal tissue regeneration which mainly utilized DPSCs/secretome. For periodontal tissues, DPSCs or their secretome were isolated from healthy or inflamed pulps and they were used either for preclinical or clinical studies. Regarding salivary gland regeneration, the submandibular gland was the only model used for the preclinical studies and DPSCs or their secretome were isolated only from healthy pulps and they were used in preclinical studies. Likewise, DPSCs have been studied for craniomaxillofacial bone defects in the form of mandibular, calvarial and craniofacial bone defects where DPSCs were isolated only from healthy pulps for preclinical and clinical studies. From the previous results, we can conclude that DPSCs is promising candidate for dental and oral tissue regeneration.