Non-targeted profiling of circulating microRNAs in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): effects of obesity and sex hormones.

Purpose: Circulating micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules that influence gene transcription. We conducted the present profiling study to characterize the expression of circulating miRNAs in lean and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in premenopausal women.

Basic Procedures: We selected 11 control women, 12 patients with PCOS and 12 men so that they were similar in terms of body mass index.

Serum Bioavailable Vitamin D Concentrations and Bone Mineral Density in Women After Obesity Surgery.

Introduction: Low bone mass after obesity surgery may arise as a consequence of chronic malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D. However, we have not found any role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D or of polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene in previous studies.

Purpose: To investigate the circulating bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D in women after bariatric procedures and its association with bone mass.

Effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), sex hormones, and obesity on circulating miRNA-21, miRNA-27b, miRNA-103, and miRNA-155 expression.

Context: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA sequences that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. miRNA-21, miRNA-27b, miRNA-103, and miRNA-155 have been associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes, which are also associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of sex, sex hormones, and PCOS and their interactions with obesity on the expression in the circulation of these miRNAs.

Impact of the storage temperature on human plasma proteomic analysis: implications for the use of human plasma collections in research.

Purpose: To analyze the impact of storage temperature on the 2D-DIGE profile of human plasma.

Experimental Design: 2D-DIGE and MS were used to identify the differences in the proteomic profiles of aliquots of eight human plasma samples stored at either - 30 or - 80°C for 18 months.

Results: After the depletion of albumin and IgG, 2D-DIGE identified four spots significantly and reproducibly increased, and five spots that were decreased, in samples stored at - 30°C compared with those stored at - 80°C.

Proteomic analysis of plasma in the polycystic ovary syndrome identifies novel markers involved in iron metabolism, acute-phase response, and inflammation.

Context: Hypothesis-free approaches such as proteomic analysis may identify novel biomarkers for disease.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the plasma proteome of patients presenting with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with that of women without hyperandrogenism.

Design: This was a case-control study.

Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms in secondary hyperparathyroidism after Scopinaro's biliopancreatic diversion.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism is a frequent metabolic complication of bariatric surgery. Individual differences in calcium absorption determine chronic secondary hyperparathyroidism after biliopancreatic diversion in half of the patients who have normal levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. We aimed to evaluate if certain vitamin D receptor polymorphisms may be responsible for the latter.

The role of genetic variation in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): an original case-control study followed by systematic review and meta-analysis of existing evidence.

Objective: To study the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: Case-control study and meta-analysis of published evidence.

Patients: One hundred and sixty-one polycystic ovary syndrome patients and 113 non-hyperandrogenic women.

Role of haptoglobin in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity and disorders of glucose tolerance in premenopausal women.

Background: Hp(2) alleles of the haptoglobin alpha-chain polymorphism reduce the anti-oxidant properties and increase the pro-inflammatory actions of this acute-phase protein in a gene-dosage fashion. We hypothesized that the haptoglobin polymorphism might contribute to the increased oxidative stress and low-grade chronic inflammation frequently associated with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity, and abnormalities of glucose tolerance.

Methodology/principal Findings: Serum haptoglobin and the haptoglobin alpha-chain polymorphism were determined in 141 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and 102 non-hyperandrogenic women.

Body iron stores and glucose intolerance in premenopausal women: role of hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and genomic variants related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and iron metabolism.

OBJECTIVE Increased serum ferritin levels and iron stores may be involved in the development of abnormal glucose tolerance in women presenting with obesity and/or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to study the determinants of serum ferritin levels in premenopausal women among indexes of insulin resistance, adiposity, hyperandrogenism, and genotypes pertaining to inflammation, oxidative stress, and iron metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 257 premenopausal women, classified depending on the presence or absence of PCOS, obesity, and/or abnormal glucose tolerance, underwent a complete metabolic evaluation, serum ferritin, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements, and genotyping for proinflammatory and prooxidant variants and mutations in the HFE gene.

Unified criteria for ultrasonographic diagnosis of ADPKD.

Individuals who are at risk for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease are often screened by ultrasound using diagnostic criteria derived from individuals with mutations in PKD1. Families with mutations in PKD2 typically have less severe disease, suggesting a potential need for different diagnostic criteria. In this study, 577 and 371 at-risk individuals from 58 PKD1 and 39 PKD2 families, respectively, were assessed by renal ultrasound and molecular genotyping.

Serum osteoprotegerin concentrations are decreased in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: Osteoprotegerin (OPG), an inhibitor of osteoclastic bone resorption, has a variety of functions including anti-inflammatory effects and a possible cardiovascular protective role. Both low-grade chronic inflammation and cardiovascular risk are increased in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to study serum OPG concentrations in PCOS patients.

The increase in serum visfatin after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese women is modulated by weight loss, waist circumference, and presence or absence of diabetes before surgery.

Background: Previous studies addressing the changes in serum visfatin levels after bariatric surgery yielded conflicting results.

Methods: We measured serum visfatin levels in 41 morbidly obese women before bariatric surgery and after losing at least 15% of the initial weight, and analyzed the results taking into account the type of surgery, reproductive and diabetic status, among others. Body mass index, waist circumference, lipid profile, and insulin resistance determined by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) were also measured.

Proteomics and genomics: A hypothesis-free approach to the study of the role of visceral adiposity in the pathogenesis of the polycystic ovary syndrome.

The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is possibly the most common endocrine disorder in premenopausal women. The primary defect in PCOS consists of an exaggerated androgen secretion by the ovaries and the adrenal glands of affected women, which is amplified by several mechanisms including abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance. Abdominal adiposity contributes to hyperandrogenism by favoring insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinism, because insulin facilitates ovarian and adrenal androgen synthesis, among other mechanisms.

Proteomic analysis of human omental adipose tissue in the polycystic ovary syndrome using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Background: Our aim was to study the protein expression profiles of omental adipose tissue biopsies obtained from morbidly obese women with or without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) at the time of bariatric surgery to evaluate the possible involvement of visceral adiposity in the development of PCOS.

Methods: Ten PCOS patients and nine control samples were included. We used two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) followed by in-gel digestion, and mass spectrometry (MS) of selected protein spots.

The decrease in serum IL-18 levels after bariatric surgery in morbidly obese women is a time-dependent event.

Background: We have evaluated the impact of the reproductive status of morbidly obese women, and of the time elapsed since surgery, on the response of the proinflammatory serum cardiovascular risk marker interleukin-18 (IL-18) to the sustained and marked weight loss achieved after bariatric surgery.

Methods: Serum IL-18 levels were measured in 33 morbidly obese women before bariatric surgery and after losing at least 15% of the initial weight, irrespective of the time needed to achieve this goal (5 to 33 months).

Results: Patients lost 30.

A prospective study of the prevalence of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia among women presenting with hyperandrogenic symptoms and signs.

Context: The diagnosis of the polycystic ovary syndrome requires the exclusion of nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH).

Objective: Our objective was to evaluate the actual prevalences of 21-hydroxylase and 11beta-hydroxylase deficiencies among women presenting with hyperandrogenic complaints.

Settings: This study was performed at an academic hospital.

Abdominal adiposity and the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abdominal adiposity, overweightness and obesity are frequently present in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A large body of evidence suggests that abdominal adiposity and the resulting insulin resistance contribute to ovarian and, possibly, adrenal hyperandrogenism. However, androgen excess itself might also contribute to abdominal fat deposition in hyperandrogenic women.

Increased body iron stores of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome are a consequence of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism and are not a result of reduced menstrual losses.

Objective: Increased serum ferritin levels, indicating increased body iron stores, have been found in overweight and obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This finding might result from reduced menstrual losses secondary to oligo- or amenorrhea or from hyperinsulinism secondary to insulin resistance, because insulin favors the intestinal absorption and the tissue deposition of iron. To explore which of these mechanisms is responsible for the increase in body iron stores in women with PCOS, we have monitored the changes in serum ferritin levels during treatment with an antiandrogenic oral contraceptive or an insulin sensitizer.

Thyroid hormone deficiency and postmenopausal status independently increase serum osteoprotegerin concentrations in women.

Objective: To study the impact of thyroxine (T4) withdrawal on serum osteoprotegerin concentrations in women, using a healthy euthyroid control group matched for age and postmenopausal status as reference.

Subjects And Design: Nineteen women with differentiated thyroid carcinoma were studied the last day on T4 suppressive treatment, 4-7 days after withdrawal and the day before whole body scanning. Eighteen women matched for age and postmenopausal status served as controls.

Differential gene expression profile in omental adipose tissue in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Context: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is frequently associated with visceral obesity, suggesting that omental adipose tissue might play an important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome.

Objective: The objective was to study the expression profiles of omental fat biopsy samples obtained from morbidly obese women with or without PCOS at the time of bariatric surgery.

Design: This was a case-control study.

Prevalence and characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome in overweight and obese women.

Background: Surprisingly, the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in otherwise unselected overweight or obese women is unknown, despite obesity being frequent in patients with PCOS. We conducted the present study to obtain an unbiased estimate of the prevalence of PCOS in unselected overweight and obese premenopausal women from Spain.

Methods: All premenopausal women reporting to the Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, for dietary treatment of overweight or obesity from May 2002 to December 2005 were prospectively recruited.

The PON1-108C/T polymorphism, and not the polycystic ovary syndrome, is an important determinant of reduced serum paraoxonase activity in premenopausal women.

Background: Because serum paraoxonase activity is influenced by the -108C/T polymorphism in the PON1 gene, we studied its involvement in the decreased paraoxonase activity recently described in the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: Paraoxonase activity, PON1-108C/T genotypes and clinical, hormonal and biochemical variables were evaluated in a case-control study involving 139 consecutive PCOS patients and 85 healthy controls matched for BMI and prevalence of smoking.

Results: Women homozygous for -108T presented with reduced serum paraoxonase activity compared with carriers of C alleles (P < 0.