Pattern of Common Hormonal Disorders among Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at a Tertiary Health Facility in Nigeria

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disease associated with multiple reproductive and metabolic endocrine disorders. It is associated with cardiometabolic complications with established morbidity and mortality. Aim: We studied the pattern of these endocrine disorders associated with PCOS will aid the understanding of the pathophysiology of this relatively incompletely understood syndrome, particularly among Africans. Patients, Materials and Methods: One hundred adult females aged between 18 and 44 years, who were newly diagnosed with PCOS, and 100 age‑matched non‑PCOS women were involved in the study. Their serum samples were analyzed for follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, leptin, and anti‑Mullerian hormone (AMH) using ELISA method. Results: The mean age of the test subjects in this study was 26.4 ± 6.0 years versus 33.3 ± 6.6 years in controls. The mean weights and body mass index of the test subjects and controls were 89.1 ± 13.9 kg versus 64.7 ± 11.3 kg, P = 0.04, and 34.01 ± 3.5 kg/m2 versus 23.8 ± 3.9 kg/m2 , P = 0.034, respectively. The mean serum LH was significantly higher among subjects than that of controls (11.4 ± 7.4 vs. 5.7 ± 4.8 mIU/mL, P = 0.001); similarly the mean serum LH: FSH ratio was significantly higher among subjects and controls in this study (1.9 ± 1.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.8, P = 0.042). Serum AMH, insulin, leptin, and testosterone levels were higher among subjects than controls (7.5 ± 5.4 vs. 2.7 ± 0.4 ng/mL, P = 0.001, 21.6 ± 7.3 vs. 18.0 ± 3.01 µIU/mL, P = 0.004, and 18.6 ± 4.0 vs. 3.5 ± 1.5 ng/mL, P = 0.003, 1.0 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2 ng/mL, P = 0.042, respectively). Mean serum prolactin was significantly higher among subjects when compared to controls. The prevalence of hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, and hyperandrogenemia among subjects in this study was higher when compared to controls. Conclusion: PCOS is a disease of multiple and inter‑related endocrine disorders; a study of the frequencies and distributions of these associated disorders can aid the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease particularly among Africans where limited studies have been carried out

Utilizing the LoxP-Stop-LoxP System to Control Transgenic ABC-Transporter Expression In Vitro

ABCA1 and ABCG1 are two ABC-transporters well-recognized to promote the efflux of cholesterol to apoAI and HDL, respectively. As these two ABC-transporters are critical to cholesterol metabolism, several studies have assessed the impact of ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression on cellular cholesterol homeostasis through ABC-transporter ablation or overexpressing ABCA1/ABCG1. However, for the latter, there are currently no well-established in vitro models to effectively induce long-term ABC-transporter expression in a variety of cultured cells. Therefore, we performed proof-of-principle in vitro studies to determine whether a LoxP-Stop-LoxP (LSL) system would provide Cre-inducible ABC-transporter expression. In our studies, we transfected HEK293 cells and the HEK293-derived cell line 293-Cre cells with ABCA1-LSL and ABCG1-LSL-based plasmids. Our results showed that while the ABCA1/ABCG1 protein expression was absent in the transfected HEK293 cells, the ABCA1 and ABCG1 protein expression was detected in the 293-Cre cells transfected with ABCA1-LSL and ABCG1-LSL, respectively. When we measured cholesterol efflux in transfected 293-Cre cells, we observed an enhanced apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in 293-Cre cells overexpressing ABCA1, and an HDL2-mediated cholesterol efflux in 293-Cre cells constitutively expressing ABCG1. We also observed an appreciable increase in HDL3-mediated cholesterol efflux in ABCA1-overexpressing 293-Cre cells, which suggests that ABCA1 is capable of effluxing cholesterol to small HDL particles. Our proof-of-concept experiments demonstrate that the LSL-system can be used to effectively regulate ABC-transporter expression in vitro, which, in turn, allows ABCA1/ABCG1-overexpression to be extensively studied at the cellular level

Knowledge and perceived implication of lassa fever among residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State Nigeria: Knowledge and perceived implication of lassa fever among residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State Nigeria

This study investigated the knowledge and perceived implication of Lassa fever among residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. The major occupation of the residents of Oke-Ero is farming. During the dry season, some farmers make use of bush burning method as a mean of clearing their lands, during which many of the rats from the bushes find their ways to neighbourhood houses to hide for safety. This gives them access to food stuffs kept by the residents. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State have knowledge of transmission of Lassa fever and determine whether death is a perceived implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of all the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. Multi-stage sampling technique consisting of simple random, proportionate and convenience sampling techniques was used to select a sample size of four hundred and two (402) respondents for the study. A researcher-designed questionnaire validated by three (3) experts from the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental. Health Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria was used for the data collection. Split half method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.70 was obtained through the use of Cronbach alpha. Data collection was conducted by the researcher and three trained research assistants. Inferential statistics of Chi-square (χ2) was used to analyse the postulated null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance, using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 software. The findings of the study showed that residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State significantly have knowledge on the transmission of Lassa fever. This was because cal. χ2 value (586.90) is greater than critical value (7.82). Death is significantly perceived as implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. This was because cal. χ2 value (271.41) is greater than critical value (16.92). Based on the findings, it was concluded that residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area Kwara State have knowledge of the transmission of Lassa fever, and death is perceived as implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government area Kwara State. Therefore, the researcher recommended that residents should not leave food items open, so as not to give rats access to their food and cultivate the habit of cleanliness. It is also recommended that, further knowledge on Lassa fever and implication should be intensified and campaigns and health education should be carried out to improve the knowledge of residents about the Lassa fever disease

Inhibition of miR-33a-5p in Macrophage-like Cells In Vitro Promotes apoAI-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux

Atherosclerosis is caused by cholesterol accumulation within arteries. The intima is where atherosclerotic plaque accumulates and where lipid-laden foam cells reside. Intimal foam cells comprise of both monocyte-derived macrophages and macrophage-like cells (MLC) of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) origin. Foam cells can remove cholesterol via apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux and this process is regulated by the transporter ABCA1. The microRNA miR-33a-5p is thought to be atherogenic via silencing ABCA1 which promotes cholesterol retention and data has shown inhibiting miR-33a-5p in macrophages may be atheroprotective via enhancing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux. However, it is not entirely elucidated whether precisely inhibiting miR-33a-5p in MLC also increases ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to test the hypothesis that inhibition of miR-33a-5p in cultured MLC enhances apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux. In our study, we utilized the VSMC line MOVAS cells in our experiments, and cholesterol-loaded MOVAS cells to convert this cell line into MLC. Inhibition of miR-33a-5p was accomplished by transducing cells with a lentivirus that expresses an antagomiR directed at miR-33a-5p. Expression of miR-33a-5p was analyzed by qRT-PCR, ABCA1 protein expression was assessed via immunoblotting, and apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux was measured using cholesterol efflux assays. In our results, we demonstrated that lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown of miR-33a-5p resulted in decreasing expression of this microRNA in cultured MLC. Moreover, reduction of miR-33a-5p in cultured MLC resulted in de-repression of ABCA1 expression, which caused ABCA1 protein upregulation in cultured MLC. Additionally, this increase in ABCA1 protein expression resulted in enhancing ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux through increasing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in cultured MLC. From these findings, we conclude that inhibiting miR-33a-5p in MLC may protect against atherosclerosis by promoting ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux

Assessing Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Mango Leaf Tea and Mangiferin within Cultured Adipocytes

Obesity is a condition caused by surplus adipose tissue and is a risk factor for several diet-related diseases. Obesity is a global epidemic that has also been challenging to treat effectively. However, one promoted therapy to safely treat obesity is anti-adipogenic therapeutics. Therefore, identifying potent anti-adipogenic bioactive compounds that can safely be used clinically may effectively treat obesity in humans. Mango leaf has potential medicinal properties due to its many bioactive compounds that may enhance human health. Mangiferin (MGF) is a primary constituent in mango plants, with many health-promoting qualities. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of MGF, and tea brewed with mango leaves in cultured adipocytes. The anti-adipogenic efficacy of mango leaf tea (MLT) and MGF in 3T3-L1 cells were assessed, along with cell viability, triglyceride levels, adiponectin secretion, and glucose uptake analyzed. In addition, changes in the mRNA expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism within 3T3-L1 cells were determined using quantitative real-time PCR. Our results showed while both MLT and MGF increased glucose uptake in adipocytes, only MLT appeared to inhibit adipogenesis, as determined by decreased triglyceride accumulation. We also observed increased secretory adiponectin levels, reduced ACC mRNA expression, and increased FOXO1 and ATGL gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells treated with MLT but not MGF. Together, these results suggest that MLT may exhibit anti-adipogenic properties independent of MGF content

The Impact of MiR-33a-5p Inhibition in Pro-Inflammatory Endothelial Cells

Evidence suggests cholesterol accumulation in pro-inflammatory endothelial cells (EC) contributes to triggering atherogenesis and driving atherosclerosis progression. Therefore, inhibiting miR-33a-5p within inflamed endothelium may prevent and treat atherosclerosis by enhancing apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux by upregulating ABCA1. However, it is not entirely elucidated whether inhibition of miR-33a-5p in pro-inflammatory EC is capable of increasing ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux. In our study, we initially transfected LPS-challenged, immortalized mouse aortic EC (iMAEC) with either pAntimiR33a5p plasmid DNA or the control plasmid, pScr. We detected significant increases in both ABCA1 protein expression and apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux in iMAEC transfected with pAntimiR33a5p when compared to iMAEC transfected with pScr. We subsequently used polymersomes targeting inflamed endothelium to deliver either pAntimiR33a5p or pScr to cultured iMAEC and showed that the polymersomes were selective in targeting pro-inflammatory iMAEC. Moreover, when we exposed LPS-challenged iMAEC to these polymersomes, we observed a significant decrease in miR-33a-5p expression in iMAEC incubated with polymersomes containing pAntimR33a5p versus control iMAEC. We also detected non-significant increases in both ABCA1 protein and apoAI-mediated cholesterol in iMAEC exposed to polymersomes containing pAntimR33a5p when compared to control iMAEC. Based on our results, inhibiting miR-33a-5p in pro-inflammatory EC exhibits atheroprotective effects, and so precisely delivering anti-miR-33a-5p to these cells is a promising anti-atherogenic strategy