Androgens Modulate the Immune Profile in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a low-grade inflammation, but it is unknown how hyperandrogenism, the hallmark of PCOS, affects the immune system. Using a PCOS-like mouse model, it is demonstrated that hyperandrogenism affects immune cell populations in reproductive, metabolic, and immunological tissues differently in a site-specific manner. Co-treatment with an androgen receptor antagonist prevents most of these alterations, demonstrating that these effects are mediated through androgen receptor activation. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-exposed mice displayed a drastically reduced eosinophil population in the uterus and visceral adipose tissue (VAT). A higher frequency of natural killer (NK) cells and elevated levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α are seen in uteri of androgen-exposed mice, while NK cells in VAT and spleen displayed a higher expression level of CD69, a marker of activation or tissue residency. Distinct alterations of macrophages in the uterus, ovaries, and VAT are also found in DHT-exposed mice and can potentially be linked to PCOS-like traits of the model. Indeed, androgen-exposed mice are insulin-resistant, albeit unaltered fat mass. Collectively, it is demonstrated that hyperandrogenism causes tissue-specific alterations of immune cells in reproductive organs and VAT, which can have considerable implications on tissue function and contribute to the reduced fertility and metabolic comorbidities associated with PCOS.

COVID-19: implications of SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia / COVID-19: implications of SARS-CoV-2 in Colombia

Abstract COVID-19 arrived to Latin America early in March 2020. Currently, strategies are being developed in Colombia focusing on the quarantine and social and economic capital reactivation, whereby the expected results are not being obtained. In this article, we propose to review scientific evidence-based literature where information on the operation and adaptation of health systems, and social, economic and solidarity sectors of Colombia is presented. The purpose is to identify COVID-19 implications in the network that provides health services, quality of life and health-disease prognosis in the country, which is not prepared to face crises of social nature and of health systems, as well as the economic and solidarity impacts that are brought about by pandemics and crude episodes of disease.

Resumen COVID-19 llegó a Latinoamérica a principios de marzo de 2020. Actualmente, en Colombia se desarrollan estrategias enfocadas en la cuarentena y la reactivación del capital social y económico, con las cuales no se están obteniendo los resultados esperados. En este artículo se propone revisar literatura basada en evidencia científica en la que se exponga información del funcionamiento y adaptación de los sistemas de salud, sectores sociales, económicos y solidarios de Colombia. El objetivo es identificar las implicaciones de COVID-19 en la red prestadora de servicios de salud, calidad de vida, pronóstico de salud-enfermedad en el país, el cual no está preparado para afrontar crisis de orden social, de sistemas de salud e impactos económicos y solidarios que conllevan las pandemias y episodios graves de enfermedad.