Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat length in women with metabolic syndrome

Objective. The length of the androgen receptor gene CAG repeat [AR (CAG)_n] modulates the activity of the androgen receptor (AR), and this polymorphism has been shown to modulate body fat mass and serum concentrations of insulin in men. We hypothesized that shorter AR (CAG)_n is associated with metabolic syndrome (MBS) or its components in women.

Design, patients and measurements. In a cross-sectional controlled study we studied 52 Finnish women aged 34–55 years with MBS and 69 age-matched controls. All participants were recruited from a sample of women drawn from the Finnish population register. We compared the mean AR (CAG)_n in the two groups. Furthermore, we correlated the AR (CAG)_n with serum testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and several parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism in each group and in all 121 women.

Results. There was no difference in the biallelic mean AR (CAG)_n between the MBS and the control group (21.6±0.2 vs. 21.8±0.2, not significant). The AR (CAG)_n did not correlate significantly with any of the clinical or biochemical parameters of glucose or fat metabolism. However, it correlated negatively with serum testosterone (?0.195, p = 0.04) and androstenedione concentrations (?0.205, p = 0.03) in all studied women.

Conclusions. The AR (CAG)_n is not a major determinant of MBS in women but it contributes to ovarian androgen production.     

Effects of androgen on vascular and inflammatory biomarkers in a female hypertensive population

Abstract

Background: Androgen is a steroid hormone associated with high blood pressure (BP). The effect of androgen on BP in females is unknown.

Methods: Androgen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-6 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 were evaluated in females with menstruation disorders (n?=?135, 28?±?5 years old) and normal BP, pre-hypertension, stage 1 hypertension, and stage 2 hypertension.

Results: Normal-BP (n?=?57), pre-hypertension (n?=?44), stage-1-hypertension (n?=?21), and stage-2-hypertension (n?=?13) females had similar androgen (3.3?±?1.5, 2.7?±?1.2, 3.1?±?1.4, and 3.5?±?1.3?ng/ml, p?>?0.05) and IL-6 levels (1.7?±?2.2, 1.9?±?2.6, 1.3?±?1.2 and 2.4?±?3.3?pg/ml, p?>?0.05). However, normal BP females had lower MMP-9 (609?±?307 versus 891?±?385?ng/ml, p?<?0.05) than stage-1-hypertension females. In addition, normal BP females had lower VEGF (166?±?103 versus 255?±?139, 272?±?128 and 301?±?216?pg/ml, p?<?0.05) than the other three groups. In normal-androgen females, VEGF levels were similar among the four groups. However, in high-androgen females, normal BP groups had lower VEGF levels than pre-hypertension, stage-1, and stage-2 hypertension groups (166?±?94 versus 294?±?153, 281?±?160 and 357?±?253?p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: Androgen can modulate growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins, which may contribute to the pathophysiology of hypertension in young females.     

Effect of maternal and neonatal interleukin-6 − 174 G/C polymorphism on preterm birth and neonatal morbidity

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze maternal and neonatal interleukin 6 (IL-6) (?174?G/C) polymorphism and to determine effect on preterm birth and neonatal morbidity.

Study Design: One hundred and sixty-four mothers (100 term births, 64 preterm births) and 183 newborn infants who were 100 healthy term and 83 preterm babies followed in newborn intensive care units were evaluated. PCR-RFLP was performed for IL-6 (?174?G/C) genotyping.

Results: The rate of GG genotype in mothers of term and preterm infants were 54% (n?=?54/100), 75% (n?=?48/64), respectively (p?>?.05) and the rate of GC?+?CC genotype was 46% (n?=?46/100) and 25% (n?=?16/64) in mothers giving term and preterm birth (PTB), respectively (p?n?=?65/100) and 81.9% (n?=?68/83) in term infants and preterm infants, respectively. GC?+?CC genotype was 35% (n?=?35/100) in term infants and 18.1% (n?=?15/83) in preterm infants (p?Conclusion: The IL-6 174?G/C gene polymorphism was significantly different between mothers who were giving to term and preterm birth. The presence of polymorphism is protective against preterm birth and was not associated with neonatal outcome.     

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis and screening: now and the future

Objective.?To determine if there is a relation between the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol levels with values found in bone mineral density, at lumbar spinal and femoral neck levels, in patients with spontaneous premature ovarian failure (POF) as at the time of diagnosis.

Method.?Cross-sectional study. Eighty-five patients were selected with a diagnosis of POF.

Inclusion criteria.?Forty women with bone mineral density (BMD) in any of the regions, that is, lumbar spine column or femoral neck. Forty-two age-matched healthy women were included as controls.

Results.?The average FSH value found was 80.11 mUI/ml, while the oestradiol average value was 37.2?pg/ml. The FSH values were correlated with the BMD values at the lumbar spinal column (p?<?0.002) and the femoral neck (p?<?0.002). The oestradiol values did not bear any relation with the BMD values in L2-L4 (p?=?0.420) nor with the femoral neck (p?=?0.868).

Conclusions.?High FSH concentrations, but not oestradiol, are positively associated with bone mass loss in both skeletal regions, in patients with spontaneous POF.     

The role of UGT1A1 promoter polymorphism and exon-1 mutations in neonatal jaundice

Objective: In the present study, we investigated the effects of promoter polymorphism and an exon-1 mutation (G71R) in the UGT1A1 gene in neonates with unexplained hyperbilirubinemia and direct Coombs-negative [DC(–)] ABO incompatibility.

Methods: Two-hundred term neonates in their first week of life and without additional icterogenic factors were included in the study. Neonates with a serum total bilirubin (STB) level ≥17?mg/dL constituted the hyperbilirubinemia group (n?=?100), while the control group comprised healthy neonates with a STB level <12.9?mg/dL (n?=?100). The cases were further subdivided into unexplained hyperbilirubinemia (n?=?50), ABO(+) hyperbilirubinemia (n?=?50), ABO(–) control (n?=?50), and ABO(+) control (n?=?50) groups on the basis of the presence or absence of DC(–) ABO incompatibility. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and amplified by PCR, and UGT1A1 gene promoter and exon-1 were sequenced to verify sequence alterations.

Results: The frequency of TA6/6, TA6/7, TA7/7, and GGA/GGA, GGA/AGA, AGA/AGA genotypes was found to be 63.5%, 21%, 15.5%, and 91.5%, 8%, 0.5%, respectively. While both heterozygous and homozygous TA7 polymorphism increased risk of hyperbilirubinemia in the ABO(+) hyperbilirubinemia group (heterozygous OR 16.76, 95% CI:3.52-79.70, p?p?=?0.002), only heterozygous TA7 polymorphism increased jaundice risk (OR 5.08 95% CI:76-14.65, p?=?0.003) in unexplained hyperbilirubinemia. But, the coexistence of G71R mutation and promoter polymorphism or G71R mutation and DC(–) ABO incompatibility did not increase the severity of hyperbilirubinemia (p?>?0.05).

Conclusions: UGT1A1 gene promoter polymorphism and G71R mutation are possible risk factors for Turkish neonates with DC(–) ABO incompatibility and unexplained hyperbilirubinemia.     

Evaluation of maternal serum progranulin levels in normotensive pregnancies,and pregnancies with early- and late-onset preeclampsia

Aims: To investigate the possible pathophysiological associations between progranulin (PGRN) and preeclampsia (PE), early-onset PE (EOPE) and late-onset PE (LOPE).

Study design: A cross-sectional study was designed to include consecutive patients with uncomplicated pregnancy (n?=?28), EOPE (n?=?30) and LOPE (n?=?22). Maternal levels of serum PGRN were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results: The mean serum PGRN level was significantly higher in women with PE compared to the control group (54.17?±?4.20?pg/ml versus 42.37?±?5.64?pg/ml, p?<?0.001), in the LOPE group compared to the control group (51.63?±?4.61?pg/ml versus 42.37?±?5.64?pg/ml, p?<?0.001) and also in women with EOPE compared to women with LOPE (56.03?±?2.68?pg/ml versus 51.63?±?4.61?pg/ml, p?<?0.001). Serum PGRN was negatively correlated with gestational age at birth (r?= ?0.669, p?=?0.001) and birth weight (r?= ?0.653, p?=?0.001); and positively correlated with systolic (r?=?0.653, p?=?0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r?=?0.601, p?=?0.001), C-reactive protein (r?=?0.519, p?=?0.001), uterine artery pulsatility (r?=?0.441, p?=?0.001) and resistance indices (r?=?0.441, p?=?0.001).

Conclusions: Serum PGRN levels increase significantly in women with PE as an indirect sign of placental dysfunction. This increase is even more prominent in women with EOPE. The serum PGRN in the third trimester is positively correlated with gestational age at birth and birth weight.     

KDR gene polymorphisms and idiopathic recurrent spontaneous abortion

Objective: Process of angiogenesis is essential for successful gestation. Disruption in this pathway leads to various undesirable consequences in pregnancy such as recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). One of the most important genes involved in angiogenesis is kinase-insert domain-containing receptor (KDR). This study aimed to investigate the associations between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KDR gene, 1719A?>?T and 1192G?>?A, with idiopathic RSA in south-east Iran.

Methods: A total of 230 women, including 110 women with a history of at least two consecutive spontaneous miscarriages and 120 healthy women were recruited in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of participants using the Salting out method. The KDR 1719A?>?T and 1192G?>?A polymorphisms were genotyped by the standard amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) technique.

Results: For the case group, frequencies of 2.73%, 30% and 67.27% were observed for AA, AT and TT genotypes in1719A?>?T SNP, respectively, and the genotype frequencies for controls were equal to AA?=?3.33%, AT?=?32.5% and TT?=?64.17%. Distribution of genotypes in 1192G?>?A SNP in the case group was 79.1%, 19.1% and 1.8% for GG, AG and AA, respectively, whereas the corresponding values for the controls were GG = 80%, AG = 20% and AA = 0. No significant difference was found between the case and control groups based on the frequency of KDR gene polymorphisms with the susceptibility to RSA.

Conclusions: There is no association between these two SNPs of KDR gene and the susceptibility to RSA in women from south-east Iran.     

The association between follicular size at the time of spontaneous rupture and pregnancy rates in clomiphene citrate treated PCOS patients in coit cycles

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the follicular size at spontaneous rupture on pregnancy rate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing clomiphene citrate (CC) ovulation.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Patients and methods: One hundred and four women with ovulatory cycles after use of CC followed by ultrasound to determine the follicle size at the time of rupture, which was subsequently correlated with the occurrence of pregnancy or not in coit cycles.

Results: In the group of follicular rupture at a mean diameter ≤25?mm (n?=?54), pregnancy rate was 35.1% and when follicular rupture occurred at a mean diameter >25?mm (n?=?50), it was 34% (p?>?0.05). When different diameters at follicular rupture were randomly correlated with the pregnancy rate, there was no significant difference.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that the occurrence of pregnancy after ovulation induction with CC in women with PCOS is not associated with follicle size at the time of rupture.     

Effect of regular exercise on prevention of excessive weight gain in pregnancy: A randomised controlled trial

Objectives?To assess whether a 12-week supervised exercise-programme with an additional 30?min of moderate self-imposed physical activity on the non-supervised weekdays prevents excessive weight gain in pregnancy, as well as postpartum weight retention.

Methods?One hundred and five sedentary, nulliparous pregnant women with a mean age of 30.7?±?4.0 years and a pre-pregnancy body mass index of 23.8?±?4.3?kg/m² were randomised to either an exercise group (EG, n?=?52) or a control group (CG, n?=?53). The exercise programme consisted of 60?min supervised aerobic dance and strength training for 60?min, at least twice per week for a minimum of 12 weeks.

Results?Drop-out rates were 19% and 21% in the EG and CG, respectively. Fewer women in the EG than in the CG exceeded the Institute of Medicine recommendations; however, only EG participants who attended 24 exercise sessions (n?=?14) differed significantly from controls (p?=?0.006) with regard to weight gain during pregnancy (11.0?±?2.3 vs. 13.8?±?3.8?kg, p?<?0.01) and postpartum weight retention (0.8?±?1.7 vs. 3.3?±?4.1?kg, p?<?0.01).

Conclusions?Regular participation in aerobic dance exercise can contribute to significantly reduce weight gain during pregnancy.     

Polyhydramnios and adverse perinatal outcome – what is the actual cutoff?

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between amniotic fluid index (AFI) and adverse perinatal outcome, and whether a critical cutoff can be defined.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Included were patients who were admitted to the ultrasound unit of the tertiary medical center between the years 1988 and 2010. Parturients were classified into five groups according to their AFI: <20 (n?=?9974; comparison group), 20–23 (n?=?2771), 24–27 (n?=?1315), 28–31 (n?=?494) and 32?+?(n?=?260). Pregnancy and the perinatal outcomes were compared between the groups. Statistical analysis included the chi-square tests for trends, and multivariable models to control for confounders (with AFI as a dummy variable).

Results: A significant linear association was found between AFI and adverse perinatal outcomes including hypertensive disorders, diabetes mellitus, preterm labor, macrosomia, placental abruption and low birth weight. Furthermore, using multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for confounders such as maternal and gestational age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc., the significant association between all four subgroups of AFI?>?20 and adverse perinatal outcomes remained.

Conclusion: A significant linear association exists between AFI?>?20 and perinatal complications such as perinatal mortality, low Apgar scores and preterm labor. Hence, the critical cutoff for polyhydramnios should be re-evaluated.     

Time since menopause does not affect plasma viscosity,plasma thromboxane levels and Doppler findings

Objectives.?To evaluate whether the use of transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT), in women within 5 years of menopause compared with women who were postmenopausal for >?5 years, would significantly influence thromboxane B₂ levels, plasma viscosity and Doppler flow parameters at the level of the uterine, internal carotid, ophthalmic and bladder wall arteries.

Methods.?Thirty-five normal-weight (body mass index >?19 and <?25?kg/m²) postmenopausal women (age 54.6?±?3.9 years, mean?±?standard deviation) participated in the study and were divided into two groups (Group I: n?=?19, time since menopause <?5 years; and Group II: n?=?16, time since menopause >?5 years). Patients were treated with a continuous estradiol transdermal supplementation and 12-day courses of medroxyprogesterone acetate every 2 months. They were studied at baseline and after 6 months (in the estrogen-only phase of the cycle).

Results.?Results showed a beneficial effect of hormone substitution after 6 months of therapy. Baseline plasma viscosity was similar in both groups, and decreased significantly after therapy in both Group I (–17.5%) and Group II (–15.6%). Plasma levels of thromboxane B₂ were similar at baseline and diminished equally in Group I and Group II (–85.6% and – 85.2%, respectively) after treatment. Doppler assessment of the pulsatility index at the level of uterine, internal carotid, ophthalmic and bladder wall arteries showed no differences between groups at baseline and revealed a significant reduction of vascular impedance at the end of the treatment in both groups.

Conclusions.?Time since menopause does not affect the potential hemodynamic benefits of HRT in normal-weight women.     

Skewed X chromosome inactivation may be not associated with premature ovarian failure

Background.?In view of the controversies about the skewed X chromosome inactivation (XCI) and premature ovarian failure (POF) association, a meta-analysis of the published data was performed to evaluate the relationship between XCI skewing and POF.

Methods.?We searched for all published articles indexed in MEDLINE (1950～2009) and CNKI (1994～2009). Any case–control or cohort study that tested the association between skewed XCI and POF was included and data were extracted independently by two reviewers. We performed this meta-analysis involving 325 cases and 403 controls with Review Manager 4.2 software.

Results.?Four eligible studies were selected for meta-analysis. It suggested that there was no significant difference between the incidence of skewed XCI (XCI ≥70% skewing) in POF cases comparing to healthy controls, odds ratio (OR)?=?1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.84～1.53, P?=?0.42]. The link between extremely skewed XCI (XCI ≥90% skewing) and POF was also analysed, and no significant difference was found, either, OR?=?1.46 (95% CI: 0.79～2.69, P?=?0.22).

Conclusions.?Skewed XCI had no association with POF. However, more case–control and cohort studies are needed in the future.     

Low levels of circulating alpha-1 antitrypsin are associated with spontaneous abortions

Abstract

Objective: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), a circulating anti-inflammatory molecule, rises four- to sixfold during acute phase responses and during pregnancy. AAT deficiency is linked with various pregnancy complications. The aim of this study is to determine plasma concentrations and activity of AAT and serum cytokine levels in blood samples from women undergoing spontaneous abortions as compared with elective abortions.

Methods: A prospective case–control study consisted of patients with sporadic abortions (n?=?15), recurrent spontaneous abortions (n?=?14) and healthy pregnancies going through elective terminations (n?=?11). Circulating AAT and cytokine levels were determined before dilatation and curettage.

Results: AAT levels were lower in both recurrent and sporadic spontaneous abortion groups compared with healthy pregnancies (1.421?±?0.08, 1.569?±?0.14 and 3.224?±?0.45?mg/ml, respectively, p?<?0.001). Reduced AAT levels correlated with elevated proinflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions: AAT levels in patients with either sporadic or recurrent spontaneous abortions were lower than normal pregnancies, and were associated with an inflammatory profile. Future studies should examine larger cohort groups, effects of earlier time-points and the influence of antithrombotic therapy in such patients who are diagnosed with relatively low levels of circulating AAT, in an effort to improve pregnancy outcomes.     

High levels of women's satisfaction and compliance with transdermal contraception: results from a European multinational, 6-month study

Objective.?To investigate compliance, satisfaction, and preference in women using a transdermal contraceptive patch.

Methods.?Women (18–46 years) from eight European countries used contraceptive patches (norelgestromin 6?mg, ethinylestradiol 600?μg) for six, 4-week treatment cycles. Compliance, satisfaction, and preference were assessed after 3 and 6 cycles and study completion using self-report methods.

Results.?Of the 778 participants, 36.8% (n?=?287) used no contraception at baseline. The most common methods were oral contraceptives (67.9%, n?=?334) and barrier methods (21.5%, n?=?106). Of oral contraception users, 63.5% (n?=?212) were satisfied or very satisfied with their previous method, but compliance was poor with 77.8% (n?=?260) reporting missed doses. After 3 and 6 cycles, >80% of all included women were satisfied or very satisfied with the patch. At study completion, most participants (73.7%) reported a preference for the patch compared to their previous method. Of 4107 cycles, 3718 (90.5%) were completed with perfect compliance. Two pregnancies occurred during this study, representing a Pearl Index of 0.63. No new safety issues were identified and the patch was well tolerated.

Conclusion.?Women were highly satisfied with transdermal contraception and preferred this form of family planning over their previous method. Transdermal contraception represents a valuable addition to contraceptive options with potential to offer high compliance and efficacy.     

Poor pregnancy outcome in women with type 1 diabetes is predicted by elevated HbA1c and spikes of high glucose values in the third trimester

Abstract

Objective: To analyse data from a randomised, controlled study of prandial insulin aspart versus human insulin, both with NPH insulin, in pregnant women with type 1 diabetes for potential factors predicting poor pregnancy outcomes.

Research design/method: Post hoc analysis including 91 subjects randomised prior to pregnancy with known outcome in early pregnancy and 259 subjects randomised prior to pregnancy/during pregnancy of <10 weeks’ gestation with known late-pregnancy outcomes. Poor early-pregnancy outcomes included fetal loss <22 gestational weeks and/or congenital malformation (n?=?18). Poor late-pregnancy outcomes included: composite endpoint including pre-eclampsia, preterm delivery and perinatal death (n?=?78); preterm delivery (n?=?63); and excessive fetal growth (n?=?88).

Results: 18 patients experienced a malformed/lost fetus in early pregnancy – none preceded by severe hypoglycaemia. Albuminuria in early pregnancy was a significant predictor of poor late-pregnancy outcome (composite endpoint; p?=?0.012). In the third trimester, elevated HbA_1c,?≥?1 plasma glucose (PG) measurement >11?mmol/L (198?mg/dL) and %PG values outside 3.9–7.0?mmol/L (70–126?mg/dL) were significant predictors of poor late-pregnancy outcomes (all p?<?0.05).

Conclusions: Elevated HbA_1c, high glucose spikes and out-of-range %PG in the third trimester, and albuminuria in early pregnancy, are associated with poor late-pregnancy outcomes.     

Evidence in support of a role for anti-angiogenic factors in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes

Objective.?Vaginal bleeding, placental abruption, and defective placentation are frequently observed in patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). Recently, a role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)- 1 has been implicated in the mechanisms of membrane rupture. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the soluble form of VEGFR-1 and -2 concentrations in amniotic fluid (AF) change with preterm PROM, intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI), or parturition.

Study design.?This cross-sectional study included 544 patients in the following groups: (1) midtrimester (MT) (n?=?48); (2) preterm labor (PTL) leading to term delivery (n?=?143); (3) PTL resulting in preterm delivery with (n?=?72) and without IAI (n?=?100); (4) preterm PROM with (n?=?46) and without IAI (n?=?42); (5) term in labor (n?=?48); and (6) term not in labor (n?=?45). The concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 were determined by ELISA. Non-parametric statistics and logistic regression analysis were applied.

Results.?(1) Preterm PROM (with and without IAI) had a lower median AF concentration of sVEGFR-1 than patients with PTL who delivered at term (p?<?0.001 for each comparison); (2) A decrease in AFsVEGFR-1 concentrations per each quartile was associated with PROM after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.8; 95%CI 1.4–2.3); (3) IAI, regardless of the membrane status, was not associated with a change in the median AF concentrations of sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 (p?>?0.05 for each comparison); and (4) Spontaneous term and PTL did not change the median sVEGFR-1 and sVEGFR-2 concentrations (p?>?0.05 for each comparison).

Conclusion.?(1) This is the first evidence that preterm PROM is associated with a lower AF concentration of sVEGFR-1 than patients with PTL intact membranes. These findings cannot be attributed to gestational age, labor, or IAI; and (2) AF concentrations of sVEGFR-2 did not change with preterm PROM, IAI, or labor at term and preterm.     

P-wave and QT dispersion in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Abstract

Aim: To compare P-wave and QT dispersion values in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and controls and also in preeclampsia, chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension separately.

Material and methods: We included 140 hypertensive pregnants and 110 healthy age-matched pregnants in this study. The hypertensive pregnants were divided into three subgroups: preeclampsia (n?=?43), chronic hypertension (n?=?51), and gestational hypertension (n?=?46). P-wave and QT dispersion values were compared between groups.

Results: Hypertensive pregnants had higher P-wave (41.74?±?5.51 vs. 37.73?±?5.62, p?<?.001) and QTc dispersion (45.44?±?7.62 vs. 39.77?±?8.34, p?<?.001) values. In subgroup analysis, P-wave dispersion and QTc dispersion were different between preeclamptic, chronic hypertensive, and gestational hypertensive patients. Also, they were significantly higher in chronic hypertension as compared to gestational hypertension and they were higher in preeclampsia than in gestational hypertension. No difference was found according to these parameters between preeclampsia and chronic hypertension. In correlation analysis, both P-wave dispersion and QTc dispersion were positively correlated with systolic (r?=?0.409, p?<?.001 and r?=?0.306, p?<?.001) and diastolic blood pressure (r?=?0.390, p?<?.001 and r?=?0.287, p?<?.001) which are main clinical determinants of hypertensive disorders.

Conclusion: In clinical practice, chronic hypertensive pregnants are generally followed up in their future life for cardiovascular disorders. Also, we recommend that we must inform and follow preeclamptic patients for future cardiovascular diseases.     

The effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on gene expression related to insulin,lipid and inflammation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: This research was conducted to assess the effects of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) intake on gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 40 subjects diagnosed with PCOS. Subjects were randomly allocated into two groups to intake either 100?mg CoQ10 (n?=?20) or placebo (n?=?20) per day for 12?weeks. Gene expression related to insulin, lipid and inflammation were quantified in blood samples of PCOS women with RT-PCR method.

Results: Results of RT-PCR shown that compared with the placebo, CoQ10 intake downregulated gene expression of oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LDLR) (p?p?=?0.01) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, CoQ10 supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (p?=?0.03), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p?=?0.001) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (p?Conclusions: Overall, CoQ10 intake for 12?weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of LDLR, PPAR-γ, IL-1, IL-8 and TNF-α.