Melatonin: Current evidence on protective and therapeutic roles in gynecological diseases.

Melatonin, a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger, has been demonstrated to be effective in gynecological conditions and female reproductive cancers. This review consolidates the accumulating evidence on melatonin's multifaceted protective effects in different pathological contexts. In gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and uterine leiomyoma, melatonin has shown promising effects in reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances. It inhibits adhesion molecules' production, and potentially mitigates leukocyte adherence and inflammatory responses. Melatonin's regulatory effects on hormone production and insulin sensitivity in PCOS individuals make it a promising candidate for improving oocyte quality and menstrual irregularities. Moreover, melatonin exhibits significant antitumor effects by modulating various signaling pathways, promoting apoptosis, and suppressing metastasis in breast cancers and gynecological cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers. Furthermore, melatonin's protective effects are suggested to be mediated by interactions with its receptors, estrogen receptors and other nuclear receptors. The regulation of clock-related genes and circadian clock systems may also contribute to its inhibitory effects on cancer cell growth. However, more comprehensive research is warranted to fully elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and establish melatonin as a potential therapeutic agent for these conditions.

Association of Adiponectin 45T/G (rs2241766) and Visfatin 4689G/T (rs2110385) Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Obesity.

Background: This study aimed to see whether the adiponectin 45T/G (rs2241766) and visfatin 4689G/T (rs2110385) gene polymorphisms in an Iranian population are linked to obesity and/or obesity-related traits in normal and obese individuals. Methods: 230 obese individuals and 169 healthy controls had their genomic DNA taken. The alleles and genotypes of the rs2241766 and rs2110385 polymorphisms were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. Results: Obese individuals had considerably greater frequencies of the G allele and GG genotypes of the rs2241766 polymorphism than healthy controls (35% vs 21%, Probability (P) <0.0001, odds ratios (OR): 1.99, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.45-2.75 and 21% vs 7%, P = 0.002, OR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.81-6.85, respectively). In comparison to healthy controls, obesity patients had substantially lower frequencies of the T allele and TT genotype of the rs2241766 polymorphism (65% vs 79%, P < 0.0001, OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.36-0.69 and 51% vs 65%, P = 0.008, OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.87, respectively). Obese individuals had substantially higher frequencies of the G allele and GG genotype in the rs2110385 polymorphism than healthy controls (77% vs 69%, P = 0.01, OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.07-2.0 and 61% versus 51%, P = 0.047, OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0-2.2, respectively). When compared to healthy controls, the frequency of the T allele in the rs2110385 polymorphism was considerably lower in obese individuals (23% vs 31%, P = 0.01, OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.5-0.93). Furthermore, these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were shown to have a strong link to clinical data in obese individuals. In the case of adiponectin, 45T/G (rs2241766) genotypes, serum low-density lipoprotein, waist circumference, and diastolic blood pressure were substantially different among the rs2241766 genotypes (P = 0.007, P = 0.000, and P = 0.011, respectively). In the instance of the visfatin 4689G/T (rs2110385) gene polymorphism, serum triglycerides was substantially different among the rs2110385 genotypes (P = 0.039). Conclusions: In the Iranian population, our findings revealed a strong link between adiponectin and visfatin gene polymorphisms and obesity and several obesity-related clinical characteristics. These SNPs might be used to identify those who are at risk of becoming obese.

Protective and therapeutic potential of melatonin against intestinal diseases: updated review of current data based on molecular mechanisms.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal diseases, a leading global cause of mortality and morbidity, carry a substantial socioeconomic burden. Small and large intestines play pivotal roles in gastrointestinal physiology and food digestion. Pathological conditions, such as gut dysbiosis, inflammation, cancer, therapy-related complications, ulcers, and ischemia, necessitate the urgent exploration of safe and effective complementary therapeutic strategies for optimal intestinal health. AREAS COVERED: This article evaluates the potential therapeutic effects of melatonin, a molecule with a wide range of physiological actions, on intestinal diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer, gastric/duodenal ulcers and other intestinal disorders. EXPERT OPINION: Due to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well as various biological actions, melatonin could be a therapeutic option for improving digestive disorders. However, more researches are needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of using melatonin for digestive disorders.

Gender-related relation between metabolic syndrome and S447X and HindIII polymorphisms of lipoprotein lipase gene in northern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Among genetic factors that contributed to incidence of metabolic syndrome, Polymorphisms of Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are major candidates especially because of their effect on obesity and dyslipidemia. S447X (rs328) and Hind III (rs320) Polymorphisms of LPL gene have been reported to change LPL activity, resulting in altered triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. This study investigates the effects of these gene polymorphisms on factors affecting metabolic syndrome in northern population of Iran. METHODS: Studied population included 223 adults consisting 90 women and 133 men with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2 as obese subjects, and 156 healthy participants as a control group with BMI <25 that included 68 women and 88 men. All factors causing metabolic syndrome were evaluated. Also DNA was extracted from blood samples and HindIII and S447X LPL gene polymorphisms were screened by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). CONCLUSIONS: The present study proves that some genotypes of S447X were associated with a reduced risk of developing low HDL-C only in men, while the protective effects of HindIII on hypertriglyceridemia were only seen in women [corrected]. The point is that this relation is affected by the weight profile of the participants. It can be concluded that there is a gender-related relation between the polymorphisms of LPL gene and the risk factors for incidence of metabolic syndrome in the northern population of Iran.