Metformin Treatment Regulates the Expression of Molecules Involved in Adiponectin and Insulin Signaling Pathways in Endometria from Women with Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance and PCOS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine/metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance (IR) and obesity. Endometria from women with PCOS present failures in insulin action, glucose uptake and signaling of insulin-sensitizing molecules, such as adiponectin, with consequences for reproduction. Metformin (MTF) treatment improves insulin signaling in endometrial tissues, but its mechanism is not fully understood.

Proinflammatory environment and role of TNF-α in endometrial function of obese women having polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Background/objectives: A high percentage of women having polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) exhibit hyperinsulinemia and obesity. Transforming necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an adipokine that increases in obesity and negatively affects insulin action in several tissues, including the endometrium. In fact, it has been reported that insulin signaling is altered in the endometrium of PCOS women, affecting its reproductive function.

Altered Steroid Metabolism and Insulin Signaling in PCOS Endometria: Impact in Tissue Function.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine/ metabolic disorder characterized by hyperandrogenemia and in most cases, by hyperinsulinemia in addition to obesity. Besides ovarian dysfunction, endometrial physiology is also disrupted since this tissue is highly dependent on the action of steroids; in case of conception cycles, high percentage of abortion is observed. Because of the endocrine/metabolic alterations, PCOS-women present high probability to develop hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, where an imbalance of cell proliferation/apoptosis processes is detected.

Endometria from Obese PCOS Women with Hyperinsulinemia Exhibit Altered Adiponectin Signaling.

Hyperandrogenemia, hyperinsulinemia, and obesity affect 60-70% of patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), who exhibit an altered endometrial insulin signaling. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinism, and obesity present in PCOS patients impair the endometrial adiponectin signaling pathway. The ex vivo study was conducted on 27 samples from lean (n=9), obese (n=9), and obese-PCOS (n=9) patients.

[Inequalities in public health care provision in Chile].

From 1997 to 1999, the Chilean Ministry of Health conducted studies on the health care networks in each of the country's 13 regions in order to help plan regional health sector development and define investment projects. Health insurance coverage displayed major geographic, age, and gender variations. Out-patient and in-patient medical care in the public sector showed substantial geographic variations.