Steroid hormone imbalance is associated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. However, affected enzymes of steroid metabolism and gene and protein expression in serum and placenta have not been elucidated yet. We aimed to investigate steroid hormone profiles and precursor-to-product ratios in preeclamptic women compared to women with healthy pregnancy (controls) to identify potentially affected steroid hormones and their metabolizing enzymes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression on a post-transcriptional level. Observational studies suggest an association of serum miRNAs and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common heterogeneous endocrinopathy characterized by hyperandrogenism (HA), oligo- or amenorrhea (OM) and polycystic ovaries. It is not known whether these miRNA profiles also differ between PCOS phenotypes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOsteoporosis is a multifactorial disease influenced by genetic and environmental factors, which contributes to an increased risk of bone fracture, but early diagnosis of this disease cannot be achieved using current techniques. We describe a generic platform for the targeted electrochemical genotyping of SNPs identified by genome-wide association studies to be associated with a genetic predisposition to osteoporosis. The platform exploits isothermal solid-phase primer elongation with ferrocene-labeled nucleoside triphosphates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSarcopenia is linked with an increased risk of falls, osteoporosis and mortality and is an increasing problem for healthcare systems. No satisfying biomarkers for sarcopenia diagnosis exist, connecting bone, fat and muscle. Matrix-GLA-protein (MGP) is an adipokine that regulates bone metabolism and is associated with decreased muscle strength.
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