Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in women from southern Brazil and association with vitamin D-binding protein levels and GC-DBP gene polymorphisms.

Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide, and vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) a major regulator of serum vitamin D levels. The rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms of the GC gene constitute the genetic basis of the three major isoforms of circulating DBP (GC1s, GC1f, and GC2), while the rs2282679 variant is located in an important regulatory region of the GC gene. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency and to ascertain whether it is associated with DBP levels and with GC gene variants.

Cardiac autonomic modulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: does the phenotype matter?

Objective: To assess whether heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and during sympathetic stimulation is disturbed in patients with different polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes in comparison to healthy controls.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: University hospital.