The genetic basis of endometriosis and comorbidity with other pain and inflammatory conditions.

Endometriosis is a common condition associated with debilitating pelvic pain and infertility. A genome-wide association study meta-analysis, including 60,674 cases and 701,926 controls of European and East Asian descent, identified 42 genome-wide significant loci comprising 49 distinct association signals. Effect sizes were largest for stage 3/4 disease, driven by ovarian endometriosis.

Moderate hyperuricaemia ameliorated kidney damage in a low-renin model of experimental renal insufficiency.

Uric acid has promoted renal fibrosis and inflammation in experimental studies, but some studies have shown nephroprotective effects due to alleviated oxidative stress. We studied the influence of experimental hyperuricaemia in surgically 5/6 nephrectomized rats. Three weeks after subtotal nephrectomy or sham operation, the rats were allocated to control diet or 2.

Leveraging Northern European population history: novel low-frequency variants for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Study Question: Can we identify novel variants associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by leveraging the unique population history of Northern Europe?

Summary Answer: We identified three novel genome-wide significant associations with PCOS, with two putative independent causal variants in the checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2) gene and a third in myosin X (MYO10).

What Is Known Already: PCOS is a common, complex disorder with unknown aetiology. While previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have mapped several loci associated with PCOS, the analysis of populations with unique population history and genetic makeup has the potential to uncover new low-frequency variants with larger effects.

Plasma uric acid is related to large arterial stiffness but not to other hemodynamic variables: a study in 606 normotensive and never-medicated hypertensive subjects.

Background: Elevated level of plasma uric acid (PUA) has been associated with cardiovascular disease, but whether uric acid is an independent risk factor or merely a marker remains controversial.

Methods: We investigated in a cross-sectional setting the association of PUA with hemodynamics in 606 normotensive and never-medicated hypertensive subjects (295 men, 311 women, age range 19-73 years) without cardiovascular disease or gout. In all except 15 individuals, PUA was within the normal range.

Effects of oxonic acid-induced hyperuricemia on mesenteric artery tone and cardiac load in experimental renal insufficiency.

Background: Recent studies suggest a causal role for increased plasma uric acid in the progression of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). However, uric acid also functions as an antioxidant with possible beneficial effects.

Methods: We investigated the influence of hyperuricemia on mesenteric arterial tone (main and second order branch) and morphology in experimental CRI.

Hyperuricemia, oxidative stress, and carotid artery tone in experimental renal insufficiency.

Background: Hyperuricemia may play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, but uric acid is also a significant antioxidant. We investigated the effects of oxonic acid-induced hyperuricemia on carotid artery tone in experimental renal insufficiency.

Methods: Three weeks after 5/6 nephrectomy (NX) or Sham operation, male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 2.

Oxonic acid-induced hyperuricemia elevates plasma aldosterone in experimental renal insufficiency.

Background: Hyperuricemia is associated with renal insufficiency and may predispose to Na retention and hypertension. Whether hyperuricemia plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease remains controversial.

Objective: We examined the effects of hyperuricemia on circulating and renal components of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in experimental renal insufficiency.