Content of 5-alpha-reductase (type 1 and type 2) mRNA in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal region in women with hirsutism.

BACKGROUND: Androgens influence the growth of terminal hair. The dermal papilla contains androgen receptors and the enzymes 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2. Both of these enzymes convert testosterone to the more active androgen, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The male distribution pattern of terminal hair in females is termed hirsutism. It is most common among women with hyperandrogenism; however, it may also affect patients with normal androgen levels (idiopathic hirsutism). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the expression of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 mRNA in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal skin in women with hirsutism. METHODS: The study included 42 subjects, 24 with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 18 with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). In all patients, free serum testosterone was measured. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD concentration of free serum testosterone was 7.2 +/-5.3 pmol/L in the total group of patients, 10.8 +/- 4.0 pmol/L in patients with PCOS, and 2.5 +/- 1.7 pmol/L in patients with IH. Quantitative analysis was then performed for the mRNA of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2, both of which were found within the dermal papillae from the lower abdominal skin region. The number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 was statistically significantly higher than that for type 2 in both groups of examined patients. We also demonstrated a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 and the concentration of free serum testosterone in women with PCOS and IH. Considering all patients together, we found a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 2 and the concentration of free serum testosterone. There was also a tendency towards a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and the concentration of free serum testosterone. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that testosterone increases expression of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal region in patients with hirsutism.

Leptin messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) content in the human placenta at term: relationship to levels of leptin in cord blood and placental weight.

During fetal life, placental tissue represents an additional source of leptin for the mother and conceptus. It has been suggested that feto-placental production of leptin may be involved in placental and fetal growth regulation. The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between leptin mRNA expression in the placenta and the concentrations of leptin in cord blood. A total of 30 healthy, pregnant women who gave birth to healthy neonates were included in the study. Maternal blood (obtained from the cubital vein) and umbilical cord blood were drawn immediately after birth. Serum leptin concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and serum insulin concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay. Leptin mRNA was measured in placental tissue by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The estimated mean leptin mRNA expression in placenta was 4.65 +/- 1.83 pg mRNA/microg DNA. Leptin mRNA correlated with cord serum leptin concentrations (r = 0.3691, p = 0.045). Placental weight correlated with placental leptin mRNA (r = 0.3686, p = 0.045). The mean leptin concentration in cord serum at birth was slightly lower (3.1 +/- 1.9 ng/ml) than that found in maternal serum (3.9 +/- 1.2 ng/ml). A positive correlation was observed between cord and maternal serum leptin levels (r = 0.58, p = 0.001). The mean insulin concentration in maternal serum was not significantly higher than that in umbilical serum: 22.2 +/- 17.8 microIU/ml vs. 6.9 +/- 3.6 microIU/ml; r = 0.069, p = 0.71). Neither maternal nor umbilical insulin concentrations correlated with leptin concentration in cord or maternal peripheral serum.

Pituitary tumor in a woman with a 47,XXX karyotype--case report.

BACKGROUND: The 47,XXX karyotype is a rare sex chromosome anomaly. This karyotype is usually not associated with a characteristic physical phenotype. CASE REPORT: In presented case a 47 triple X women with pituitary tumor and premature ovarian failure is identified. Diagnosis of a 47,XXX individual remains difficult because specific clinical criteria used to identify this condition are not available. CONCLUSIONS: The case described should attract attention to how difficult it is to diagnose properly a genetic disease in young women with correct phenotype.

[Testosterone and SHBG levels in blood serum in women with anorexia nervosa]. / Stezenia testosteronu i SHBG w surowicy krwi u kobiet z jadlowstretem psychicznym.

The reports concerning serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and testosterone in women with anorexia nervosa are controversial and few in number. The aim of the study was to assess the levels of FSH, LH, PRL, unbound and bound testosterone, SHBG, estradiol, free T4, TSH in women with anorexia nervosa. The TFI (testosterone free index) used to assess SHBG ability to bind testosterone was also calculated. The studied group consisted of 29 women with anorexia nervosa: 15 women untreated hormonally and 14 women treated with estrogens and progestagens. The control group consisted of 13 women with regular menstrual cycle being in the first phase of menstrual cycle, with proper body weight and mean age comparable to the patients with anorexia nervosa. No statistically significant differences between studied groups concerning the serum concentration of FSH, LH, PRL, free testosterone, LH/FSH ratio, TSH and free T4 were found. The total testosterone concentration was statistically significantly lower in the group without hormonal therapy, contrary to SHBG concentration, which was higher in the group treated hormonally. Although there are reports about elevated SHBG and free testosterone levels in patients with anorexia nervosa, our study has shown no significant differences between women with untreated hormonally anorexia nervosa and healthy control group.

Expression of telomerase genes as potential marker of neoplastic changes.

We conducted a quantitative analysis of TERT, TP1 and hTR mRNA expression in various types of endometrial hyperplasia in perimenopausal women, taking advantage of the real-time PCR assay. All women underwent hysterectomy for gynecological reasons. Endometrial dating was determined from the patomorphology of the endometrium and classified into endometrial hyperplasia: simplex, complex and atypica. Our data suggest that only hTR was observed in each normal and hyperplastic endometrium specimens, suggesting that this factor constitutively expressed in endometrium. The results obtained indicate that the expression activity of the TERT subunit changes but not significantly, depending on the stage of development of the hyperplasia.

[Changes of SHBG concentrations in postmenopausal women]. / Zmiany stezen SHBG we krwi wystepujace u kobiet po menopauzie.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a serum (serous) glycoprotein binding estrogens and androgens with high affinity. Hepatic synthesis of SHBG and serous protein concentration are related to the following factors: age, sex steroids and thyroid hormones concentrations, obesity. Along with aging process, an increase of SHBG concentration is observed in both sexes. The following paper confirms a relation between age and SHBG concentration (positive correlation, p < 0.001) and a relation between body mass index (BMI) and SHBG. Concentration (r = -0.35, p < 0.039). In our studies it was found out that SHBG in postmenopausal women with recent hip fractures was significantly lower than in a group of women without fractures. The authors suggest that the determination of serum SHBG concentration might be assumed as a screening test for evaluation of the hip fracture risk in postmenopausal women.

[Quantitative (RT-QPCR) analysis of telomerase subunit in normal endometrial tissues]. / Ilosciowa ocena ekspresji genów telomerazy TERT, hTP-1 i TR w prawidlowym endometrium.

Telomerase is a specialized ribonucleoprotein polymerase that elongates telomeres. To clarify the molecular mechanisms through which telomerase is activated in normal endometrium, we examined the expression profiles of each telomerase subunit in this tissues. A total of 22 normal human endometrium in various menstrual phases were examined for the expression of each telomerase subunit (hTERT, hTR, TP-1) using RT-QPCR. The hTERT as well as TP-1 subunit had higher expression levels in proliferative than secretory phase endometrium. Expression levels of hTR did not change during menstrual cycle. Our data showed the strong correlation between the level of expression of telomerase in human endometrium and phase of menstrual cycle.

[Hyperandrogenism as a frequent cause of hirsutism]. / Hiperandrogenizm jajnikowy czesta przyczyna hirsutyzmu.

Excessive hair growth in androgens sensitive areas of female body is called hirsutism and it is a symptom of masculinization. Intensity of hirsutism in particular areas of the body is individual and it depends on the androgens excess rate, or increased sensitivity of hair follicles with normal androgens rate in the serum. There were 84 patients analysed, all of them hospitalized in Department of Gynecological Endocrinology Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice. The aim of this study is to check the correlation between the occurrence and intensity of hirsutism and androgens rate in the serum. In the group of patients with hirsutism the androgens rate was excessed in 72 patients but in 12 women there was an idiopathetical hirsutism diagnosed.

[Evaluation of bone loss in postmenopausal women during the first 5 years after menopause]. / Ocena utraty tkanki kostnej u kobiet w ciagu pierwszych 5 lat po menopauzie.

Aim of the trial was estimation of the degree of bone loss in first 5 years of menopause. 184 postmenopausal women were evaluated. Bone status was assessed by using quantitative ultrasound. Both parameters decreased in term of 1-5 years of menopause, what was especially expressed in first 2-3 years of menopause. Densitometric values were lower in comparison to British, French and Japan women population. Also dynamic of bone loss was greater in Polish women population. Results confirm necessity of early prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

[Clinical observations of patients with somatosexual disturbances coexisting with primary amenorrhea]. / Obserwacje kliniczne chorych z zaburzeniami cielesno-plciowymi wspólistniejacymi z pierwotnym brakiem miesiaczki.

In the paper, a clinical description is presented of patients referred to the Department for primary amenorrhoea in whom somatosexual disturbances have been observed. The group of patients included three cases of Turner syndrome, four cases of pure gonadal dysgenesis, three cases of feminizing gonadal syndrome. The diagnostic-therapeutic errors are shown, paying attention to the most characteristic symptoms and proper management.

[Treatment outcome after surgery for uterine abnormalities in the years 1987-92]. / Wyniki leczenia operacyjnego wad macicy w latach 1987-92.

A retrospective analysis of the outcome of pregnancy in 93 women seen between 1987 and 1992, with a uterine malformation was carried out. The main indication for operation was recurrent abortion and primary sterility. All metroplasties were performed according modified technique of Jones-Wheelees. After operation 68% patients became pregnant and 41.9% of them delivered healthy children; pregnancy in 5.3% patients ended with spontaneous abortions and in 11.8% preterm deliveries.

[Fetal fibronectin as a predictor of threatening preterm delivery]. / Fibronektyna plodowa jako wskaznik zagrazajacego porodu przedwczesnego.

The presence of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy identifies a subgroup of women are at high risk for preterm delivery. This phenomenon may reflect the separation of the chorion from the decidual layer of the uterus with release of fetal fibronectin into the cervical and vaginal secretions.

[Liver function disorders and blood coagulation disorders in the course of EPH gestosis]. / Zaburzenia czynnosci watroby i ukladu krzepniecia krwi w przebiegu gestozy EPH.

Three cases of EPH-gestosis complicated with liver function and blood coagulation disorders (HELLP syndrome) are presented. The most frequent diagnostic errors and subsequent risk for both mother and fetus have also been discussed. Basing on the available literature, the safest management of pregnancy and delivery is critically assessed.