Prenatal Hyperandrogenization Induces Metabolic and Endocrine Alterations Which Depend on the Levels of Testosterone Exposure

Prenatal hyperandrogenism is able to induce polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. The aim of the present study was to establish if the levels of prenatal testosterone may determine the extent of metabolic and endocrine alterations during the adult life. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were prenatally injected with either 2 or 5 mg free testosterone (groups T2 and T5 respectively) from day 16 to day 19 day of gestation. Female offspring from T2 and T5 displayed different phenotype of PCOS during adult life. Offspring from T2 showed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and ovulatory cycles whereas those from T5 displayed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and anovulatory cycles. Both group showed increased circulating glucose levels after the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT; an evaluation of insulin resistance). IPGTT was higher in T5 rats and directly correlated with body weight at prepubertal age. However, the decrease in the body weight at prepubertal age was compensated during adult life. Although both groups showed enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, it appears that the molecular mechanisms involved were different. The higher dose of testosterone enhanced the expression of both the protein that regulates cholesterol availability (the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)) and the protein expression of the transcriptional factor: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). Prenatal hyperandrogenization induced an anti-oxidant response that prevented a possible pro-oxidant status. The higher dose of testosterone induced a pro-inflammatory state in ovarian tissue mediated by increased levels of prostaglandin E (PG) and the protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2, the limiting enzyme of PGs synthesis). In summary, our data show that the levels of testosterone prenatally injected modulate the uterine environment and that this, in turn, would be responsible for the endocrine and metabolic abnormalities and the phenotype of PCOS during the adult life

Inflammation and reproductive function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome†.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most frequent endocrinopathies, affecting 5-10% of women of reproductive age, and is characterized by the presence of ovarian cysts, oligo, or anovulation, and clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism. Metabolic abnormalities such as hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, cardiovascular complications, dyslipidemia, and obesity are frequently present in PCOS women. Several key pathogenic pathways overlap between these metabolic abnormalities, notably chronic inflammation. The observation that this mechanism was shared led to the hypothesis that a chronic inflammatory state could contribute to the pathogenesis of PCOS. Moreover, while physiological inflammation is an essential feature of reproductive events such as ovulation, menstruation, implantation, and labor at term, the establishment of chronic inflammation may be a pivotal feature of the observed reproductive dysfunctions in PCOS women. Taken together, the present work aims to review the available evidence about inflammatory mediators and related mechanisms in women with PCOS, with an emphasis on reproductive function

Biochemical performance of native and introduced clam species living in sympatry: the role of elements accumulation and partitioning

The present study reports metal and arsenic contamination in sediments, as well as element accumulation and partitioning in native (Ruditapes decussatus and Venerupis corrugata) and introduced (Ruditapes philippinarum) clam species living in sympatry at the Obidos lagoon (Portugal). The biochemical performance and the human health risks derived from the consumption of these species are also discussed. The results obtained showed that R. decussatus was the most abundant species in all the sampling sites, revealing that the introduced clam has not yet supplanted the native species. The concentration of elements was higher in areas with higher Total Organic Matter (TOM) and fines content, being Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu) and Lead (Pb) the most abundant metals. Clams from these areas showed the highest concentration of elements but the lowest bioaccumulation levels. Furthermore, except for As, higher concentration of elements was found in clams insoluble fraction, the less toxic fraction to the organisms. Due to the low contamination levels and because elements, except As, were mainly allocated to the insoluble fraction, clams presented similar biochemical parameters among distinct areas, with no significant oxidative stress induced. Furthermore, clams from the Obidos lagoon represent a low health risk to human consumption since, except for As, their contamination levels were below the maximum permissible limits defined by international organizations

Genetic variation of putative myokine signaling is dominated by biological sex and sex hormones.

Skeletal muscle plays an integral role in coordinating physiological homeostasis, where signaling to other tissues via myokines allows for coordination of complex processes. Here, we aimed to leverage natural genetic correlation structure of gene expression both within and across tissues to understand how muscle interacts with metabolic tissues. Specifically, we performed a survey of genetic correlations focused on myokine gene regulation, muscle cell composition, cross-tissue signaling, and interactions with genetic sex in humans. While expression levels of a majority of myokines and cell proportions within skeletal muscle showed little relative differences between males and females, nearly all significant cross-tissue enrichments operated in a sex-specific or hormone-dependent fashion; in particular, with estradiol. These sex- and hormone-specific effects were consistent across key metabolic tissues: liver, pancreas, hypothalamus, intestine, heart, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue. To characterize the role of estradiol receptor signaling on myokine expression, we generated male and female mice which lack estrogen receptor α specifically in skeletal muscle (MERKO) and integrated with human data. These analyses highlighted potential mechanisms of sex-dependent myokine signaling conserved between species, such as myostatin enriched for divergent substrate utilization pathways between sexes. Several other putative sex-dependent mechanisms of myokine signaling were uncovered, such as muscle-derived tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFA) enriched for stronger inflammatory signaling in females compared to males and GPX3 as a male-specific link between glycolytic fiber abundance and hepatic inflammation. Collectively, we provide a population genetics framework for inferring muscle signaling to metabolic tissues in humans. We further highlight sex and estradiol receptor signaling as critical variables when assaying myokine functions and how changes in cell composition are predicted to impact other metabolic organs

Hemiagenesis of Right Hemithyroid with Left Lobe Multinodular Goitre

Aims: To present the case of a patient with an uncommon congenital abnormality and discuss it’s consequence and management. Presentation of Case: We present the case of a 62 year old female patient with no thyroid function abnormalities and no previous neck surgery who was sent to our outpatient clinic for a left sided neck mass with associated discomfort. An ultrasound revealed a left sided multinodular goitre and the absence of the right lobe. A computed tomography scan confirmed these findings. A fine needle aspiration cytology excluded malignancy. A total thyroidectomy was performed and the patient prescribed levothyroxine. There were no intraoperative or postoperative adverse events and the patient remains asymptomatic four years later. Discussion: Thyroid gland hemiagenesis is a rare congenital disorder consisting in the absence of a thyroid lobe. Left lobe agenesis is the most frequent and females are more commonly affected. Interestingly, thyroid-stimulating hormone and free T3 levels are higher in individuals with this condition and higher risk of thyroid disease has been suggested. Conclusion: Thyroid gland hemiagenesis is rare. Patients are usually asymptomatic and the condition is found incidentally during screening tests or exams driven by other pathology. It’s existence should be recognized so that patients can be well studied and treated

Effect of hyperandrogenism on ovarian function

The objective of the present work was to study the ovarian function when follicular development is induced during a hyperandrogenic condition. Female rats were injected either with chorionic gonadotropin (eCG group) to induce folliculogenesis or with eCG together with dehydroepiandrosterone to induce folliculogenesis in a hyperandrogenic condition (eCG+HA group). The control group was injected with vehicle. Ovarian mRNA levels of the PPARγ co-activator PGC1-α, the PPARγ co-repressor NCoR, and the main enzymes involved in the ovarian steroidogenesis (CYP17, 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) CYP19A), and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) were evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction and protein expression of COX-2 was evaluated by Western Blotting. Ovarian steroidogenesis and both the oxidative and inflammatory status were also quantified. We found that eCG-induced folliculogenesis induced increased mRNA levels of PGC1-α and decreased those of NCoR as compared to controls. In addition, we found accumulation of estradiol and enhanced mRNA expression of CYP19A. A pro-inflammatory and a pro-oxidant status were also established. When folliculogenesis was induced in a hyperandrogenic condition, the mRNA levels of the PPARγ co-repressor NCoR remained higher than in controls and the pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant status were enhanced. In addition, the enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis were altered leading to the accumulation of testosterone and an unfavorable estradiol/testosterone ratio. These alterations led to abnormal follicular development.Fil: Velez, Leandro Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Heber, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Ferreira, Silvana Rocio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Abruzzese, Giselle Adriana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Reynoso, Roxana M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas. Laboratorio de Endocrinología; ArgentinaFil: Motta, Alicia Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

Dysregulated systemic metabolism in a Down syndrome mouse model

ObjectiveTrisomy 21 is one of the most complex genetic perturbations compatible with postnatal survival. Dosage imbalance arising from the triplication of genes on human chromosome 21 (Hsa21) affects multiple organ systems. Much of Down syndrome (DS) research, however, has focused on addressing how aneuploidy dysregulates CNS function leading to cognitive deficit. Although obesity, diabetes, and associated sequelae such as fatty liver and dyslipidemia are well documented in the DS population, only limited studies have been conducted to determine how gene dosage imbalance affects whole-body metabolism. Here, we conduct a comprehensive and systematic analysis of key metabolic parameters across different physiological states in the Ts65Dn trisomic mouse model of DS.MethodsTs65Dn mice and euploid littermates were subjected to comprehensive metabolic phenotyping under basal (chow-fed) state and the pathophysiological state of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). RNA sequencing of liver, skeletal muscle, and two major fat depots were conducted to determine the impact of aneuploidy on tissue transcriptome. Pathway enrichments, gene-centrality, and key driver estimates were performed to provide insights into tissue autonomous and non-autonomous mechanisms contributing to the dysregulation of systemic metabolism.ResultsUnder the basal state, chow-fed Ts65Dn mice of both sexes had elevated locomotor activity and energy expenditure, reduced fasting serum cholesterol levels, and mild glucose intolerance. Sexually dimorphic deterioration in metabolic homeostasis became apparent when mice were challenged with a high-fat diet. While obese Ts65Dn mice of both sexes exhibited dyslipidemia, male mice also showed impaired systemic insulin sensitivity, reduced mitochondrial activity, and elevated fibrotic and inflammatory gene signatures in the liver and adipose tissue. Systems-level analysis highlighted conserved pathways and potential endocrine drivers of adipose-liver crosstalk that contribute to dysregulated glucose and lipid metabolism.ConclusionsA combined alteration in the expression of trisomic and disomic genes in peripheral tissues contribute to metabolic dysregulations in Ts65Dn mice. These data lay the groundwork for understanding the impact of aneuploidy on in vivo metabolism

Lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic inflammation increases female serum gonadotropins and shifts the pituitary transcriptomic landscape

IntroductionFemale reproductive function depends on a choreographed sequence of hormonal secretion and action, where specific stresses such as inflammation exert profound disruptions. Specifically, acute LPS-induced inflammation inhibits gonadotropin production and secretion from the pituitary, thereby impacting the downstream production of sex hormones. These outcomes have only been observed in acute inflammatory stress and little is known about the mechanisms by which chronic inflammation affects reproduction. In this study we seek to understand the chronic effects of LPS on pituitary function and consequent luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone secretion.MethodsA chronic inflammatory state was induced in female mice by twice weekly injections with LPS over 6 weeks. Serum gonadotropins were measured and bulk RNAseq was performed on the pituitaries from these mice, along with basic measurements of reproductive biology.ResultsSurprisingly, serum luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone was not inhibited and instead we found it was increased with repeated LPS treatments.DiscussionAnalysis of bulk RNA-sequencing of murine pituitary revealed paracrine activation of TGFβ pathways as a potential mechanism regulating FSH secretion in response to chronic LPS. These results provide a framework with which to begin dissecting the impacts of chronic inflammation on reproductive physiology