The Role of Diet, Glycaemic Index and Glucose Control in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Management and Mechanisms of Progression.

Purpose Of Review: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with several causal pathways including impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance (IR), compensatory hyperinsulinemia and excess androgens (hyperandrogenism). This heterogeneous condition causes a range of reproductive, metabolic and psychological implications, the severity of which can differ between individuals depending on factors such as age, diet, ethnicity, genetics, medication, contraceptive use, adiposity, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Recent Findings: Dietary interventions that focus on a low glycaemic index and glucose control are an efficient first-line dietary solution for the management of impaired glucose tolerance and IR, which subsequently improves weight management, quality of life and PCOS-related symptoms in individuals with this condition.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Mediterranean diets may reduce Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk and preserve cognitive function relative to Western diets by protecting against inflammation. In a long term controlled randomized trial of Mediterranean vs. Western diet consumption in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis), difficult to conduct in humans, we found significant anti-inflammatory effects of Mediterranean diet on circulating monocyte and brain temporal cortex transcriptional profiles.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Late onset Alzheimer disease is a complex syndrome, genetically, clinically and pathogenetically heterogeneous. Genome Wide association studies have identified risk alleles for AD harboring genes in the endolysosomal network (ELN). We hypothesize that aggregate burden of these endolysosomal risk alleles impacts cell type specific ELN function, thus contributing to LOAD pathogenesis.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementia (AD/ADRD), which is closely linked with cerebral vascular inflammation and dysfunction. We previously found that high-salt-treated Dahl Salt-Sensitive (SS) rats displayed blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, astrocyte activation, neurodegeneration, and cognitive impairments. CD14 functions in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex to initiate proinflammatory signaling events in response to LPS.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Apolipoprotein ε4 (APOE4) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). APOE4 carriers display altered whole-body metabolism, including increased blood glucose and inuslin. Although conditions affecting whole-body metabolism like obesity and diabetes are AD risk factors, knowledge regarding the contribution of peripheral tissues to this effect is minimal.