14 research outputs found
Low salivary testosterone levels in patients with breast cancer
Abstract Background Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent the bioavailable fraction. To further elucidate the role of endogenous hormones in breast cancer, we aimed to assess correlation between salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence. Methods Salivary hormone levels of testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2), Progesterone (P), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), DHEAS and Cortisol (C) were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) in 357 women with histologically verified breast cancer and 184 age-matched control women. Results Salivary T and DHEAS levels were significantly lower in breast cancer cases vs. controls (27.2+13.9 vs. 32.2+17.5 pg/ml, p Conclusions Salivary T levels, representing the bioavailable hormone, are significantly lower in women with breast cancer compared to age-matched control women. These findings support the protective role of biovailable testosterone in counteracting the proliferative effects of estrogens on mammary tissue.</p
Low salivary testosterone levels in patients with breast cancer
Background: Correlation between circulating sex steroid levels and
breast cancer has been controversial, with measurement of free, or
bioavailable hormone rarely available. Salivary hormone levels represent
the bioavailable fraction. To further elucidate the role of endogenous
hormones in breast cancer, we aimed to assess correlation between
salivary sex steroid levels and breast cancer prevalence.
Methods: Salivary hormone levels of testosterone (T), Estradiol (E2),
Progesterone (P), Estriol (E3), Estrone (E1), DHEAS and Cortisol (C)
were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) in 357 women with
histologically verified breast cancer and 184 age-matched control women.
Results: Salivary T and DHEAS levels were significantly lower in breast
cancer cases vs. controls (27.2+13.9 vs. 32.2+17.5 pg/ml, p < 0.001 for
T and 5.3+4.3 vs. 6.4+4.5 ng/ml, p = 0.007 for DHEAS). E2 and E1 levels
were elevated and E3 levels were lowered in cases vs. controls.
Conclusions: Salivary T levels, representing the bioavailable hormone,
are significantly lower in women with breast cancer compared to
age-matched control women. These findings support the protective role of
biovailable testosterone in counteracting the proliferative effects of
estrogens on mammary tissue
LH receptor gene expression in cumulus cells in women entering an ART program
Luteinizing hormone (LH) exerts its actions through its receptor (LHR),
which is mainly expressed in theca cells and to a lesser extent in
oocytes, granulosa and cumulus cells. The aim of the present study was
the investigation of a possible correlation between LHR gene and LHR
splice variants expression in cumulus cells and ovarian response as well
as ART outcome.
Forty patients undergoing ICSI treatment for male factor infertility
underwent a long luteal GnRH-agonist downregulation protocol with a
fixed 5-day rLH pre-treatment prior to rFSH stimulation and samples of
cumulus cells were collected on the day of egg collection. RNA
extraction and cDNA preparation was followed by LHR gene expression
investigation through real-time PCR. Furthermore, cumulus cells were
investigated for the detection of LHR splice variants using reverse
transcription PCR.
Concerning LHR expression in cumulus cells, a statistically significant
negative association was observed with the duration of ovarian
stimulation (odds ratio = 0.23, = 0.012). Interestingly, 6 over 7 women
who fell pregnant expressed at least two specific types of LHR splice
variants (735 bp, 621 bp), while only 1 out of 19 women that did not
express any splice variant achieved a pregnancy.
Consequently, the present study provide a step towards a new role of LHR
gene expression profiling as a biomarker in the prediction of ovarian
response at least in terms of duration of stimulation and also a
tentative role of LHR splice variants expression in the prediction of
pregnancy success
Variable effects of maternal and paternal-fetal contribution to the risk for preeclampsia combining GSTP1, eNOS, and LPL gene polymorphisms
Study design, materials, and methods. aEuro integral We combined the
analysis of polymorphisms of the GSTP1, eNOS, and LPL genes – affecting
biotransformation enzymes and endothelial function – in a cohort of 167
preeclamptic and normal control trios (mother, father, and child)
comprising a total of 501 samples in the Greek population, never
analyzed before by this approach.
Results. aEuro integral For the frequency of the GSTP1
Ile<SU105</SU/Val<SU105</SU, the eNOS Glu298Asp and the LPL-93
polymorphisms, statistically significant differences were found between
the two groups. However, the transmission rates of the parental alleles
to neonates studied by the transmission disequilibrium test, disclosed
no increased rate of transmission to preeclampsia children for the
variant alleles of Val<SU105</SU GSTP1, 298Asp eNOS, and -93G LPL.
Conclusions. aEuro integral These novel data, suggest that interaction
of all three types of genotypes (mother, father and neonate), reveals no
effects on the development of preeclampsia, but provide the impetus for
further studies to decipher the individual contribution of each genetic
parameter of preeclampsia
Discrepancies of current recommendations in breast cancer follow-up: a systematic review
Introduction: Management and optimal follow-up of early breast cancer survivors remain up to this day a challenge due to the lack of well-established guidelines. Multiple medical societies, organizations and working groups have provided recommendations for follow-up but there is no uniform, globally approved algorithm to guide clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review was performed to identify and evaluate discrepancies between available guidelines for the follow-up of breast cancer survivors. Results: Differences in the follow-up schedule, laboratory and imaging investigations were noted. In the clinical practice setting, the situation is complicated further by clinicians who often request unnecessary tests not currently incorporated in any of the existing guidelines. Conclusions: Follow-up of patients with early breast cancer needs to become standardized and prospective clinical trials focusing on optimal follow-up are more than mandatory. © 2019, The Japanese Breast Cancer Society
Detection of RUNX2 gene expression in cumulus cells in women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation
Abstract Background RUNX2 is a transcription factor, whose expression has been recently identified in the mouse ovary. Regulation of RUNX2 expression and its function in the human ovary have not been determined yet. The aim of the present study is the investigation of the possible correlation between RUNX2 gene expression in cumulus cells and controlled ovarian stimulation and pregnancy outcomes after ART treatment. Methods A total of 41 patients undergoing ICSI treatment for male factor infertility were enrolled into a specific ART program, during which cumulus cells were collected. The expression of RUNX2 gene in cumulus cells was examined by real-time PCR. Results Concerning RUNX2 gene expression, 12 out of 41 women were detected with RUNX2 expression, with ratios ranging from 0.84 to 1.00, while 28 out of 41 women had no expression (ratio = 0). Only 1 woman presented a weak RUNX2 gene expression (ratio = 0.52). From 8 women that proceeded to pregnancy, 7 of them did not express RUNX2 gene in cumulus cells, while one was the woman with weak gene expression that also achieved pregnancy. The group of women without RUNX2 expression presented higher number of follicles (p = 0.013), higher number of retrieved oocytes (p = 0.016), higher basal LH serum levels (p = 0.016) and higher peak estradiol levels (p = 0.013), while the number of fertilized oocytes differed marginally between the two groups (p = 0.089). Moreover, RUNX2 expression was negatively associated with LH levels (OR = 0.22, p = 0.021) and E2 levels (OR = 0.25, p = 0.026). Conclusions Consequently, based on the preliminary findings of the present pilot study a potential inhibitory mechanism of RUNX2 gene is observed in the ovary when high mRNA levels are detected, suggesting that RUNX2 could possibly be used as a candidate genetic marker in the monitoring of the outcome of an ART treatment.</p