Searching for the relationship between the parameters of metabolic syndrome and the rs17782313 (T>C) polymorphism of the MC4R gene in postmenopausal women

Jacek Brodowski,1 Małgorzata Szkup,2 Anna Jurczak,2 Sylwia Wieder-Huszla,2 Agnieszka Brodowska,3 Maria Laszczyńska,4 Beata Karakiewicz,5 Katarzyna Kęcka,1 Elżbieta Grochans2 1Primary Care Department, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 2Department of Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 3Clinic of Gynecology, Endocrinology, and Gynecologic Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 4Department of Histology and Developmental Biology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, 5Public Health Department, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska, Szczecin, Poland Abstract: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is widespread in the human population, and its incidence is continuously increasing, generating serious health problems. The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between the parameters of MS and the melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R) gene polymorphism in postmenopausal women. The study involved 344 healthy Polish women, who had their last menstrual cycle 1 year ago or earlier. The study included blood analysis, survey, and body measurements. The mean age was 58.5±6.6 years. An increased body mass index was observed in 65.7% and abdominal obesity in 80.3% of the study population. MS was diagnosed in 40.7% of all participants, including 39.3% of women with the T/T genotype and 44.7% of those with the C/X genotype (χ2 test; P>0.05). A logistic regression model showed that the probability of MS was higher in patients with the C/X genotype (odds ratio =1.25) (χ2 test; P>0.05). The study concluded that MS is a very common condition among postmenopausal women. The C/X genotype of the MC4R gene seems to predispose postmenopausal women to developing some MS symptoms. Keywords: melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R), postmenopausal women, metabolic syndrom

Early and natural embryonic death in Lagostomus maximus: Association with the uterine glands, vasculature, and musculature

The uterus is an organ with great plasticity due to the morphological and physiological changes it experiences during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. In mammals, pregnancy requires diverse sex hormones, growth factors and cytokines, among others, for promoting uterine remodeling to favor implantation, placentation, and embryo/fetus survival and growth. The hystricognathi rodent Lagostomus maximus (plains viscacha) has a high rate of embryonic resorption. The cranial and middle implants are reabsorbed 25–35 days after intercourse while the caudal embryos continue with their development until two precocial offspring are born. So far, no uterine studies of non-pregnant L. maximus females were performed to determine the possible existence of variations in the organ that could be related to the differential survival of the implants. We used ultrasonography, as well as morphological, morphometric, histochemical, lectinhistochemical, and immunohistochemical methods to study differences in the uterine glands (area), vasculature (area), and musculature (thickness) along the uterine horns in non-pregnant females. Along the uterus, all these structures were in more advanced developmental condition in the caudal region as compared to more anterior positions. These regional variations could be decisive in explaining the reason why only caudal implantations come to term. In contrast, no differences in the in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells, nor in the degree of cell proliferation and apoptosis, and hormonal receptor staining were found. These parameters could be related to implantation along the uterine horns, but not to the differential survival of the implants.Fil: Acuña, Francisco. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Portiansky, Enrique Leo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ranea, Guadalupe. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Nishida, Fabian. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Patología General Veterinaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Miglino, María A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Flamini, Mirta Alicia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentin