Plasma and aqueous levels of subfatin, preptin and betatrophin in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

AIM: To examine subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels in plasma and aqueous in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) (with and without retinopathy). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Sixty patients, who were similar in terms of age and gender, and were scheduled for operation due to cataract, were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups as Group C (20 weeks without diabetes and comorbidity), Group DM (20 patients with DM but no retinopathy) and Group DR (20 patients with diabetic retinopathy). The preoperative body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile levels of all patients in the groups were examined. Blood samples were also taken for plasma subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels. At the beginning of the cataract surgery, 0.1 ml of aqueous fluid was taken from the anterior chamber. Plasma and aqueous subfatin, preptin and betatrophin levels were analyzed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) method. RESULTS: In our study results, there was a significant difference in BMI, fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels (p < 0.05 for all parameters). Plasma and aqueous subfatin levels were higher in Group DR compared to Group C (p < 0.001, p = 0.036, respectively). Plasma and aqueous preptin levels were higher in group DR and group DM than in group C (p = 0.001, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). Plasma and aqueous betatrophin levels were higher in Group DR compared to group C (p = 0.001, p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: Subfatin, preptin and betatrophin molecules may have an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy.

Inflammation Markers in Patients with Bipolar Disorder Who Have Committed Offenses and Their Relationship with Criminal Behavior.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the function of various inflammation parameters and their interactions in the pathology of Bipolar disorder (BD) and to assess whether they could be biomarkers in the relationship between criminal behavior and BD. Materials and Methods: Overall, 1029 participants, including 343 patients with BD who have committed offenses, 343 nonoffending patients with BD, and 343 healthy controls, were included in this retrospective study. Neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts; high-density lipoprotein (HDL-c) levels; systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein ratio (NHR), lymphocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (LHR), monocyte to high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), platelet to high-density lipoprotein ratio (PHR) were measured. Results: Significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of SII, SIRI, NHR, LHR, MHR, PHR, neutrophil, and monocyte values (p < 0.001). The lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the patients with BD who committed offenses (p = 0.04). The platelet counts were significantly lower in the patients with BD who committed offenses compared to nonoffending patients with BD (p = 0.015). The HDL-c levels were significantly lower in the patients with BD who have committed offenses than those of nonoffending patients with BD (p < 0.001). Bipolar disorder, not receiving active psychiatric treatment, having a diagnosis of bipolar manic episodes, and having low platelet and HDL values constitute a risk of involvement in crime. Conclusions: The present study emphasizes the role of systemic inflammation in the pathophysiology of patients with BD with and without criminal offenses and the relationship between inflammation and criminal behavior.

Potassium Ion Channel Protein (KCNH) Levels in Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Although there is not yet full clarity of the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome (FM), central sensitization is considered to be responsible. The purpose of this study was to measure the plasma levels of potassium ion channel proteins (human KCNH2, KCNH6 and KCNH7) in FM patients and healthy control subjects. The study sample includes 76 newly diagnosed FM patients and 79 healthy individuals. Venous blood samples were taken to measure the plasma levels of KCNH2, KCNH6 and KCNH7. Pain severity in FM patients was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Bioinformatics analysis was performed using the STRING v 11 Protein interaction tool. Age, gender and body mass index were seen to be similar in both groups. In comparisons between FM and control groups, KCNH2 plasma levels was found to be significantly lower in the FM group. No significant correlation was found between plasma levels of KCNH2, KCNH6 and KCNH7 protein levels and VAS score of patients with FM. The KCNH2 protein had a high homology score with 9 proteins. The plasma levels of KCNH2 FM patients were found to be lower than those of the healthy control subjects, no difference was determined in respect of the plasma levels of KCNH6 and KCNH7. These results may be of use in guiding future studies on the pathogenesis of FM.

Plasma and aqueous levels of alarin and adipsin in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy.

BACKROUND: Diabetic retinopathy is a disease seen with microvascular complications as a result of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Alarin and Adipsin are molecules with a role in energy and glucose metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine plasma and aqueous levels of Alarin and Adipsin in patients with and without diabetic retinopathy to evaluate their potential roles in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: The study included one eye from each of 20 cataract patients without diabetes (C), 20 cataract patients with diabetes and without diabetic retinopathy (DM + C), and 20 cataract patients with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy (DR + C). Plasma and aqueous humour samples were taken from all patients during the cataract operation. Alarin and Adipsin levels were examined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Both plasma and aqueous Alarin levels were significantly higher in the patients with diabetic retinopathy than in the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.006). Adipsin levels were found to be significantly higher in plasma in the control group than in the DR + C group and significantly higher in aqueous in the DR + C group than in the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Alarin and Adipsin may play important role in diabetic retinopathy.

Interleukin 18, soluble cluster of differentiation 40, platelet factor 4 variant 1, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin can be used as biomarkers to aid activity and diagnosis in ocular Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE: The molecules human interleukin (IL-18), the soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD40), platelet factor 4 variant 1 (PF4V1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are all markers of inflammation in biological systems and are linked to prognosis in several inflammatory diseases as well. Since there is no study in which the above-mentioned molecules are studied together in ocular Behçet's disease (OBD), the aim of this study is to reveal whether these molecules are activity markers in active (OABD) and inactive (OIBD) disease. METHODS: 30 OABD and 30 OIBD and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL molecules were studied in blood samples by the ELISA method. RESULTS: When OABD and OIBD were compared to healthy individuals, the levels of IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL molecules were found to be statistically significant. These values were even more significantly higher in patients with OABD. CONCLUSION: When ROC values of IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL are evaluated, it is clear that these four molecules can be used as biomarkers to aid activity and diagnosis in OBD.

Subfatin and asprosin, two new metabolic players of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Asprosin and subfatin are recently discovered two new hormones of adipocyte origin that play a role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynaecological syndrome presenting with energy turbulence. The aim of this study was to investigate whether asprosin and subfatin play a role in PCOS disease. Thirty participants with a diagnosis of PCOS and thirty control group participants were included in this case-control study. Hormone profiles of the participants (subfatin, asprosin, insulin, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), oestradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-SO4), lipid profiles [(total testosterone, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride, cholesterol)], fasting blood sugar (FBS) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) values were measured. While the levels of asprosin, LDL and triglyceride, TSH, E2, FSH, LH, DHEA-SO4 were found to be significantly higher in patients with PCOS compared to controls (p = .005; p = .01), subfatin and HDL levels were found to be low. Significantly decreasing subfatin and increasing asprosin levels in circulation in PCOS may play a role in the etiopathology of this disease and that they may also be new candidate molecules in addition to classical laboratory parameters in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCOS in the future.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The studies investigating the relationship between PCOS and asprosin are contradictory. Although subfatin has been studied in many metabolic diseases, it has not been studied yet whether it is associated with PCOS. Furthermore, whether there is a mutual relationship between subfatin and asprosin in patients with PCOS has not been studied yet.What do the results of this study add? This available data indicates that significantly decreasing subfatin and increasing asprosin levels in the circulation in PCOS may play a role in the etiopathology of this disease.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The findings are promising in that decreasing subfatin and increasing asprosin levels will shed new light on reproductive endocrinology changes caused by PCOS and may help to clarify the pathophysiology of PCOS. Furthermore, in our study, the asprosin/subfatin ratio was above three in PCOS disease. This ratio reported here is anticipated to contribute to the course or follow-up of the disease in the future. Also, subfatin has been investigated here for the first time, may also be a new candidate molecule in addition to classical laboratory parameters in the diagnosis and follow-up of PCOS.

Intra-ovarian stem cell transplantation in management of premature ovarian insufficiency: towards the induced Oogonial Stem Cell (iOSC).

The specialized resident-stem cells in gonads are tasked with restorating damaged ovarian cells following injury to maintain sequential reproductive events. When we talk about premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) we accept the existence of decreased stem cell and their regenerative abilities. The present study was to explain how restorating damaged ovarian cells following injury to maintain sequential reproductive events in evidence-based medicine indexed in PubMed and Web of Science. The exact mechanism is unclear stem cells transfer may improve compromised ovarian function and fertility outcome in women with POI. Soluble factors secreted by stem cell may rescue impaired mitochondrial function in oogonial stem cells, enhance metabolic capacity of resident stem cells, induce local neovascularization in the ovary, and activate gene shifting between transferred stem cells and germ cell precursors. This review may provide insight into how stem cells show some of their beneficial effects on compromised ovarian microenvironment and germ cell niche and paves the way for clinical trials for improving ovarian function of women with POI. We also had the opportunity to share our hypothesis about the design and development of induced oogonial stem cell (iOSC) and its use in POI.

Combating sars-cov-2 through lipoxins, proteasome, caveolin and nuclear factor-κb pathways in non-pregnant and pregnant populations.

It can be misleading to think that the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) which has a very strong mutation and adaptation capabilities, uses only the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) pathway to reach target cells. Despite all the precautions taken, the pandemic attack continues and the rapid increase in the number of deaths suggest that this virus has entered the cell through different pathways and caused damage through different mechanisms. The main reason why the ACE2 pathway comes to the fore in all scientific studies is that this receptor is located at the entry point of basic mechanisms that provide alveolo-capillary homeostasis. SARS-CoV-2 has to use nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB), caveloae, clathrin, lipoxin, serine protease and proteasome pathways in addition to ACE2 to enter the target cell and initiate damage. For this reason, while new drug development studies are continuing, in order to be beneficial to patients in their acute period, it is imperative that we are able to come up with drugs that activate or inhibit these pathways and are currently in clinical use. It is also critical that we adopt these new pathways to the treatment of pregnant women affected by SARS-CoV-2, based on the scientific data we use to treat the general population.

ALTERED BLOOD AND AQUEOUS HUMOR LEVELS OF ASPROSIN, 4-HYDROXYNONENAL, AND 8-HYDROXY-DEOXYGUANOSINE IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS AND CATARACT WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.

PURPOSE: Diabetic retinopathy (DRP) is the formation of edema and small vessels in the retina due to high blood glucose levels. Asprosin is a hormone that stimulates the release of glucose from the liver into the circulation. Considering the relationship between oxidative stress and DRP, our study aimed to determine the levels of the oxidative stress markers 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), as well as asprosin, in the blood and aqueous humor (Aq) of patients with and without DRP. METHODS: Thirty patients with single-eye DRP and cataract (DRP + C), 30 patients with diabetes mellitus and cataract without DRP (DM + C), and 30 healthy control (CON) participants were enrolled into this retrospective study. Except for healthy controls, Aq and blood samples were taken from these patients during their cataract operation. Asprosin, 4-HNE, and 8-OHdG concentrations were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: In patients with DRP, the levels of asprosin, 4-HNE, and 8-OHdG were significantly higher in both Aq and blood samples compared with the group of patients without DRP. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the measurement of asprosin, 4-HNE, and 8-OHdG levels may support clinicians in determining the risk of DRP development.

Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with ocular-active and ocular-inactive Behçet disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate thiol/disulfide homeostasis in ocular-active (OA) and ocular-inactive (OI) Behçet disease (BD) patients and compare the data with healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty OABD patients, 20 OIBD patients and 20 healthy control subjects were included into the study. The BD ocular attack score 24 (BOS24) scoring system was used to assess the activity of disease in ocular BD patients. Systemic activity was also evaluated using BD current activity form (BDCAF). The native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT) and disulfide levels and NT/TT, disulfide/NT and disulfide/TT ratios were measured via using an innovative and automated method. RESULTS: BOS24 and BDCAF scores were 13.25 ± 2.32 and 4.18 ± 2.06 in OABD patients and 0.31 ± 0.47 and 2.14 ± 1.98 in OIBD patients, respectively. The NT, TT levels and NT/TT ratio were significantly reduced; in contrast, the disulfide levels, disulfide/NT and disulfide/TT ratios were significantly increased in OABD and OIBD patients compared to the healthy control subjects (p < 0.05). Moreover, while the levels of NT and TT were significantly reduced, the disulfide levels as well as disulfide/NT and disulfide/TT ratios were significantly elevated between OABD and OIBD patients (p < 0.05). However, the ratio of NT/TT did not significantly differ between OABD and OIBD patients (p = 0.449). The multiple regression model including BOS24 and BDCAF score statistically significantly predicted NT level, TT level and disulfide level (p < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Thiol oxidation in BD patients resulted in a change of the thiol/disulfide balance. Therefore, thiol/disulfide homeostasis in BD patients can be used an innovative oxidative stress marker.

A new mechanism of the protamine-dependent hypotension after cardiopulmonary bypass and the role of calcium.

Heparin and protamine are two indispensable agents of cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with effects on the cardiovascular and hematological system. Heparin is used as an anticoagulant in open heart surgery; whereas protamine is used to neutralize heparin effects when surgery is terminated. Protamine is given in order to neutralize heparin effects after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and it causes hypotension in patients. However, the mechanism of this side effect is not clearly known. Current mechanism is that hypotension occurs after the administration of protamine due to the conformational change in the calcium channels or anaphylactoid thromboxane release or serum ionized calcium levels. The present study was to explain how protamine causes hypotension in evidence-based medicine indexed in PubMed and Web of Science. In addition to above  mechanisms, possibly  the infused protamine binds heparin and causes the coagulation cascade to activate heparin-AT complex on thrombin beside activating FXIa, FXa and FIXa and causing the re-use of Ca2+. The re-use of Ca2+ at the coagulation cascade initiates an anion gap and it is assumed that hypotension develops because of the Ca2+ deficiency. Ca2+ ions are trapped in the thrombus by the resumption of thrombus formation. Ca2+ ions trapped in the thrombus cannot be used, so that Ca2+ ion deficit will develop in circulation and hypotension occurs due to the insufficiency of Ca2+ ions. The administration of Ca2+ ions together with the protamine might help to eliminate the side effect of the protamine (hypotension) while neutralizing heparin after open heart surgery in light of the information provided in the literature.

Molecular role of peptides/proteins in subfertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Obesity and hyperandrogenemia are known to have adverse effects on both developing follicle and endometrium receptivity in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance also contributes to this dilemma as a cause or a consequence and leads to worsening of the clinical picture. The difficulty in obtaining pregnancy despite the presence of a large number of oocyte has concentrated our attention on oocyte quality and development. However, the occurence of subfertility has also caused us to investigate the presence of different etiologic agents in non-obese PCOS women with normal androgen and insulin levels. In this context peptides have become the most accused and investigated molecules in cases of impaired fertility due to PCOS. Most of the studies investigating the relationship between PCOS and peptide did not support each other. The difficulties in measuring peptide levels as well as the individual variations in peptide synthesis and release are possible causes of this incongruity. For all these reasons, the incorporation of studies investigating the relationship between PCOS, peptide and subfertility in an article has become critical to pioneering future work. Understanding the association between peptides and subfertility will help us to understand the effects of peptides on failed fertility in PCOS. Moreover, updating our knowledge about peptides may allow us designing new drugs to to treat subfertility in PCOS. This review provides a general summary of the mechanisms of action of neuroendocrine peptides in regulating reproductive events. Since it is not usual to discuss all peptides in this context, only the effects of key central and peripheral peptides on fertility in PCOS have been extensively addressed.

Nppc/Npr2/cGMP signaling cascade maintains oocyte developmental capacity.

The follicle must fulfill the following criteria if it is to survive the period between early embryonic life and the luteinizing hormone (LH) peak. It should (i) be surrounded by pregranulosa cells; (ii) complete the first meiotic division and become dormant; and (iii) continue metabolism during the dormant stage. Interaction between the natriuretic peptide precursor type C (Nppc) and its receptor, natriuretic peptide receptor 2 (Npr2), affects female fertility through the production of oocytes with developmental capacity and maintain oocyte meiotic arrest. While Nppc is expressed in mural cells, cumulus cells express Npr2. Nppc/Npr2 system exerts its biological function on developing follicles by increasing the production of intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This pathway not only contributes to the development of ovary and the uterus, but aids the formation of healthy eggs in terms of their morphological and genetic aspects. A defect in this pathway leads to asmall ovarian size, string-like uterine horns, and thin endometrium and myometrium. Disorganized chromosomes, abnormal cumulus expansion and early meiotic resumption occur in animals with defective Nppc/Npr2 signaling. The types and number of oocytes also decrease when there is incompetent Nppc/Npr2 signaling. This paper extends on most recent and relevant experimental evidence regarding Nppc/Npr2/cGMP signaling with regard to its crucial role in maintaining oocyte meiotic arrest and the production of oocytes with developmental capacity. We further discuss whether the agonist or antagonist forms of the members of this exciting pathway can be usedfor triggering final oocyte maturation.

Evaluation of elabela, apelin and nitric oxide findings in maternal blood of normal pregnant women, pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia and umbilical arteries and venules of newborns.

Pre-eclampsia is multisystem metabolic diseases, commonly accompanied by hypertension and proteinuria, which are among the important causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. In a pre-eclampsia animal model study in the last year, Elabela (ELA) infusion was reported to correct hypertension and proteinuria and to normalise the birth weights of the offspring. Therefore, our main goal in this human study is to compare ELA, apelin (APLN) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the maternal blood of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in their newborns' venous-arterial cord blood with maternal blood of healthy pregnant women and their newborns' venous-arterial cord blood. Thirty controls, 28 pre-eclampsia and 24 severe pre-eclampsia cases and their newborns participated in this study. Maternal blood and newborn venous-arterial cord blood samples were collected from these patients. ELA, APLN and NO levels in these samples were measured by ELISA method. When the maternal blood ELA, APLN and NO amounts were compared with control groups, there was a significant decrease in both pre-eclamptic and severe pre-eclamptic women and this was more prominent in the women with severe pre-eclampsia. When ELA, APLN and NO levels in the newborn venous-arterial cord blood of control group was compared with that of severe pre-eclamptic and pre-eclamptic women; it was parallel with maternal findings. ELA, APLN and NO levels appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. It is predicted that if these molecules, which are reduced due to pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia, are brought to physiological limits in the future; pre-eclampsia related maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity can be reduced. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? There are two studies (one human and one animal) in the literature evaluating only maternal elabela (ELA) levels in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. The animal study demonstrated decreased blood ELA levels in pre-eclamptic animals and the human study found increased blood ELA levels in pre-eclamptic patients. There are no studies evaluating maternal ELA levels in severe pre-eclampsia patients and also there are no studies evaluating maternal ELA levels in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia patients. There are no studies evaluating newborns' venous-arterial blood APLN and NO levels. Apelin (APLN) and nitric oxide (NO) results were controversial in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia patients. What the results of this study add? The present study, for the first time, demonstrates that decreased blood ELA, APLN and NO levels in maternal blood of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in their newborns' venous-arterial blood. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated for the first time that decreased ELA, APLN and NO are also related with low birth weights. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The low levels of ELA, APLN and NO in maternal blood and newborns' venous-arterial blood may be the result or the cause of pathologic changes in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia. Also, ELA, APLN and NO may be new indicator parameters of systemic endothelial dysfunction together. More studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between of ELA, APLN and NO and pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in newborns' venous-arterial blood.

Is there a relationship between serum vaspin levels and insulin resistance in chronic renal failure?

OBJECTIVE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have insulin secretion disorders and resistance to insulin effects, that is responsible for the development of cardiovascular events. Vaspin is an adipocytokine that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. We aimed to determine the serum vaspin levels and its relationship with insulin resistance in CKD patients. METHODS: In the study groups, serum vaspin levels, anthropometric parameters and routine blood tests were measured. The serum vaspin levels were examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and insulin resistance was determined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) formula. RESULTS: The serum vaspin, HOMA-IR index and insulin levels were observed significantly high in the CKD group in comparison with the control group. No correlation was found between the serum vaspin level and the anthropometric and metabolic values. The serum vaspin level was positively correlated with the fasting plasma glucose and age but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia contribute to the development of cardiovascular complications in CKD. We consider that the increase in the serum vaspin level is a consequence of the reduced renal excretion in the CKD and increases in response to insulin resistance.

Serum ghrelin and obestatin levels in patients with acne vulgaris: are they important for the severity?

INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit. Recently, three peptide-structured hormones, products of a single gene, have been discovered. These hormones are acylated ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and obestatin. AIM: To demonstrate the association of serum acylated ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin, and obestatin levels with acne severity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 63 patients grouped as mild (n = 22), moderate (n = 21) and severe (n = 20) acne according to the Global Acne Grading System and 20 medically healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum ghrelin and obestatin levels obtained from the participants were examined. RESULTS: When mean ghrelin, des-acyl-ghrelin and obestatin values of the acne-group (AG) were compared with the control group (CG), they were found be lower in the AG, but were not statistically significant. Among the patient groups, while acylated ghrelin values were highest in the severe AG, des-acyl ghrelin values were highest in mild severe AG and mean obestatin values were highest in moderate severe AG (p > 0.05). When the groups were compared for obestatin values; the highest average value was detected in the CG. However, it was not significant when the groups were compared. CONCLUSIONS: It has been suggested that there may be a link between acne and the levels of acylated ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and obestatin which are decreased in the serum of acne patients. Because of the decrease observed in the levels of these hormones which have antimicrobial features, we suggest that inflammation in acne cannot be suppressed and the reproduction of the microorganisms that play a role in the aetiology of the disease cannot be prevented. The replacement of these hormones at physiologic concentrations may contribute to the acne treatment.

Navigation problems of ICSI or naive blastocyst can be solved with artificial blastocyst.

Embryos have evolved a remarkable capacity to find implantation site. The impressive navigation ability of natural blastocysts may rely on highly sensitive signals arising from embryos and specialized signal processing strategies in the endometrium. Navigation capabilities may be compromised in ICSI embryos because of altered biochemical signaling. The design and delivery of artificial blastocyst (AB) carrying strong chemical signals may allow ICSI embryos to more easily locate to and be retained in the implantation zone. ICSI embryos will attach easily to the implantation zone after it is found by the AB. Co-transfer of the AB together with the ICSI embryo may overcome potential difficulties in implantation due to impaired embryo-maternal communication in cases with implantation failure.

Patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3-gene (adiponutrin), preptin, kisspeptin and amylin regulates oocyte developmental capacity in PCOS.

This study was planned to test whether follicular fluid (FF) levels of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3-gene (PNPLA3:adiponutrin), preptin, kisspeptin, and amylin change in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A total of 40 infertile volunteers undergoing IVF/ICSI were included in the study. They were divided into two groups as PCOS (n=20) and control group without PCOS (n=20). The controls were recruited from subjects with a poor ovarian response. The PCOS and control participants were matched according to their body mass index (BMI). Each group of participants underwent ovarian stimulation with GnRH antagonist protocol. Blood and FF samples of one dominant follicle were obtained from each subject during the oocyte pick-up. FF and serum levels of PNPLA3, preptin, kisspeptin and amylin were measured through ELISA. Amylin and adiponutrin median values were not different according to study groups (p>0.05). FF-preptin median values in the control group were similar to the serum preptin values of control and PCOS groups (Z=0.970, p=1.000 and Z=2.631, p=0.051, respectively). Medians of the serum preptin in control and PCOS groups were the same (Z=1.649; p=0.595). FF-preptin median values of PCOS group were significantly lower than the preptin median values of the control group. Serum preptin levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR, but not with pregnancy rates and the number of retrieved oocytes. Serum kisspeptin levels were negatively correlated with the number of retrieved oocytes and pregnancy rates. While amylin and adiponutrin have no role in the folliculogenesis, kisspeptin and preptin work together for regulating follicle developmental capacity in PCOS.

Hepatoprotective properties for Salvia cryptantha extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury.

The present study was designed to determine the possible hepatoprotective effects of Salvia cryptantha (black weed) plant extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury in rats. Animals were grouped as follows: control group (Group I), CCl4 group (Group II), olive oil group (Group III), CCl4 + S. cryphantha 200 mg/kg group (Group IV), and CCl4 + S. cryptantha 400mg/kg group (Group V). Rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 diluted in olive oil (50% v/v) at a dose of 1ml/kg body weight.  Bax and Caspase3 were determined by immunohistochemical staining, while apoptotic index was evaluated using TUNEL assay. Total mRNA was isolated from liver tissues, and the levels of BCL2, Caspase3, SOD, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined by using PCR, while MDA level were determined using a colorimetric assay. The antioxidant and anti-apoptotic gene transcripts were decreased in all of the control and treatment groups, while Caspase3 levels were not statistically different. The S. cryptantha plant extract treatment was also found to improve SOD, GPx, and catalase levels, while reducing the serum levels of MDA. The extract of S. cryptantha supplementation had a protective effect against CCl4-induced liver damage. S. cryptantha extract as a supplement may be useful as a hepato-protective agent to combat the toxic effects caused by CCl4 and other chemicals.

Nuclear factor-κB expression in the endometrium of normal and overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the expression levels of endometrial NFκB p65 differ between normal weight and overweight PCOS women and to compare them with BMI-matched control subjects without PCOS. The study group comprised 20 normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and 15 overweight PCOS women (BMI: 25-29.9 kg/m2) with infertility. Healthy fertile women without PCOS were recruited as the control group. The patients in the normal weight PCOS group and control group were age and BMI-matched. Endometrial samples were obtained during the mid-luteal phase for immunohistochemical staining. The H-Score method was used to evaluate NF-κB p65 (Rel A) expression. Both normal and overweight PCOS women demonstrated significantly higher endometrial NF-κB p65 expression than the women without PCOS. The H-scores of endometrial NF-κB p65 expression were similar in both groups of PCOS women. NF-κB p65 was positively correlated with serum insulin, HOMA-IR and total testosterone levels in PCOS women. By leading to pathological inflammation, an increase in NF-κB p65 expression in the endometrium of normal and overweight PCOS women may contribute to PCOS-related subfertility. Impact statement What is already known on this subject: Although the pathogenesis of PCOS has not yet been clarified, low-grade chronic inflammation is gradually being established as an important pathogenetic factor. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α have been reported in women with PCOS. Causes of pathological endometrial inflammation may arise from either a local endometrial disease or linked to diseases which are located in a distant reproductive tissue. Nevertheless, possible role of endometrial NF-κB, basic cellular regulatory of inflammation, in the pathophysiology of PCOS related implantation defect has not been elucidated yet. What do the results of this study add: This study provides first and novel insights into the relationship between PCOS related infertility and pathological endometrial inflammation. We demonstrated that there is a close association between PCOS and pathological endometrial inflammation. Moreover, we clearly showed that pathological endometrial inflammation occurs in both normal and overweight women with PCOS. Further, endometrial NF-κB p65 (Rel A) expression were found to be positively correlated with serum insulin levels and hyperandrogenism in overweight PCOS women. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice: If we can analyse pathological endometrial inflammation by measuring endometrial NF-κB p65 (Rel A) expression, treatment could be directed towards eliminating the source of pathological endometrial inflammation.