Dydrogesterone and norethisterone regulate expression of lipoprotein lipase and hormones-sensitive lipase in human subcutaneous abdominal adipocytes

Aim: In premenopausal women, hyper-androgenicity is associated with central obesity and an increased cardiovascular risk. We investigated the effects of dydrogesterone (DYD)(a non-androgenic progestogen) and norethisterone (NET)(an androgenic progestogen) on lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and glycerol release in adipocytes isolated from subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue. Methods: Adipose tissue was obtained from 12 non-diabetic women, mean age 51 years (range 37-78) and mean BMI 25.4kg/m2 (range 20.3-26.4). Adipocytes were treated with increasing doses of DYD and NET for 48 hours prior to protein extraction. Effects on lipogenesis and lipolysis were assessed using western blotting to determine the expression of key enzymes, LPL (56kDa) and HSL (84kDa) respectively. Measurement of glycerol release into the medium provided an assessment of lipolytic activity. Results: Expression of LPL was increased by DYD and NET (mean protein expression relative to control ± SEM); with greatest effect at 10-8M for DYD: 2.32±0.51(p0.05). Conclusions: DYD and NET significantly increased LPL expression relative to control whilst significantly reducing HSL expression. At the concentrations studied, similar effects were observed with the androgenic NET and the non-androgenic DYD despite differing effects on the lipid profile when taken in combination with estrogen. Further work in this area may improve knowledge about the effects of different progestogens on body fat distribution and enable progestogen use to be tailored to the individual to achieve maximal benefits

Traveling Arts x HCI Sketchbook: Exploring the Intersection Between Artistic Expression and Human-Computer Interaction

When thinking of arts in HCI, one might be tempted to keep one's eyes focused on prominent realms such as sketching for UX Design and design probes from participants. A closer look shows that practices go beyond this, involving a variety of arts-based expressions by researchers, the researched and third parties, e.g. graphic facilitators. Inspired by Toselli's Sketchnote Army Travelling Sketchbook, researchers and artists contributed to a 'Travelling Sketchbook for Arts in HCI', showcasing their arts-based practice in HCI. The resulting sketchbook explores the intersection between HCI and artistic expression, illuminating what it means to use art in HCI. It shows the breadth of Arts in HCI, illustrating the many fruitful possibilities for extending existing research and dissemination methods in HCI. It also calls into question current practices, which often do not recognise the significance of artist attribution, and, in turn, advocates for equal authorship between principal researchers and contributing artists

Are progestins really necessary as part of a combined HRT regimen?

For many years it has been perceived wisdom that hormone replacement therapy for women with a uterus should include a progestin to prevent the proliferative effects of estrogen on the endometrium and endometrial cancer. But, with the reports from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and Million Women Study indicating that such regimens are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, whereas unopposed estrogen may not increase this risk, or even reduce it, it is pertinent to reassess the merits of adding a progestin. In addition, the suggestion from the WHI that the effects of estrogen and progestins are a 'class effect' are clearly inaccurate, as there is particular evidence from the French E3N cohort studies of differential effects of progestins, with progesterone and dydrogesterone additions showing no increase in risk of breast cancer. The data are presented but an answer to the posed question remains unclear and as usual dependent on the circumstances and views of each individual woman and her medical adviser

Urogenital atrophy

The British Menopause Society Council aims to aid health professionals in providing up to date and informed advice about post reproductive health. This guidance refers to the long-term, but often ignored condition of urogenital atrophy resulting from postmenopausal estrogen deficiency. Treatment should be based on up to date information and targeted to the needs of the individual woman. Non-estrogen- and estrogen-containing treatments are discussed

The silent epidemic: Postmenopausal vaginal atrophy

Postmenopausal hot flushes and night sweats will affect the quality of life of 25-75% of women and are well recognised and often treated by the medical profession. Atrophic symptoms affecting the vagina and lower urinary tract will also be experienced by a majority of women after the menopause causing itching, burning, and dyspareunia and sexual activity is often compromised. However only a minority will seek advice and fewer will receive helpful treatment. Some of this reluctance is due to the adverse publicity for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in recent years, but regardless of whether these scares are justified, local treatment of vaginal atrophy is not associated with the possible risks of systemic HRT. Other reasons for the continued suffering in silence may be cultural and an understandable reluctance to discuss such matters, particularly with a male doctor, but the medical profession must take much of the blame for failing to enquire of all postmenopausal women about the possibility of vaginal atrophic symptoms