Testosterone stimulates cholesterol clearance from human macrophages by activating LXRα

Association between uric acid/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and testosterone deficiency in adult American men: findings from the national health and nutrition examination survey 2011-2016

BACKGROUND

Testosterone deficiency (TD) is a globally recognized health concern, closely linked to disruptions in uric acid and lipid metabolism. Recently, the uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) has emerged as a comprehensive index for assessing the impact of inflammation and metabolic disturbances on disease risk. Therefore, we intended to explore the association of UHR with total testosterone levels and the risk of TD among US male adults.

METHODS

The analysis was based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between January 2011 and December 2016. All eligible participants were males aged 20 and older who had complete data for UHR and testosterone levels. The associations between UHR and total testosterone levels and the risk of TD were examined using weighted multivariable linear and logistic regression analysis, respectively. To visually demonstrate the linear relationship between them, weighted regression using generalized additive models and smooth curve fits were applied. Furthermore, subgroup analyses with interaction tests were executed to evaluate the stability of the outcomes.

RESULTS

Finally, a total of 2,844 men were enrolled in the study with the weighted mean age of 47.72 ± 0.42 years. Of these, 592 were diagnosed with TD. After controlling for potential confounders, the continuous UHR exhibited a positive linear correlation with the risk of TD (OR = 1.08, 95%CI: 1.04-1.11, P < 0.001) and a negative linear correlation with total testosterone levels (β=-7.82, 95%CI: -10.47 to -5.17, P < 0.0001). When UHR was categorized into quartiles, with Q1 as the reference, participants in Q4 had significantly lower total testosterone levels (β = -96.64, 95% CI: -129.39 to -63.90, P < 0.0001) and a higher risk of TD (OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.45-3.80, P = 0.001). These associations remained stable in subgroup analyses without significant interaction (all P for interaction > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates that, among adult males, higher UHR is negatively correlated with total testosterone levels and positively associated with the risk of TD. This suggests its potential value for early disease diagnosis and intervention. However, further clinical studies are needed to validate these findings.

Female sex is linked to a stronger association between sTREM2 and CSF p-tau in Alzheimer's disease

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), Aβ triggers p-tau secretion, which drives tau aggregation. Therefore, it is critical to characterize modulators of Aβ-related p-tau increases which may alter AD trajectories. Here, we assessed whether factors known to alter tau levels in AD modulate the association between fibrillar Aβ and secreted p-tau181 determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To assess potentially modulating effects of female sex, younger age, and ApoE4, we included 322 ADNI participants with cross-sectional/longitudinal p-tau181. To determine effects of microglial activation on p-tau181, we included 454 subjects with cross-sectional CSF sTREM2. Running ANCOVAs for nominal and linear regressions for metric variables, we found that women had higher Aβ-related p-tau181 levels. Higher sTREM2 was associated with elevated p-tau181, with stronger associations in women. Similarly, ApoE4 was related to higher p-tau181 levels and faster p-tau181 increases, with stronger effects in female ApoE4 carriers. Our results show that sex alone modulates the Aβ to p-tau axis, where women show higher Aβ-dependent p-tau secretion, potentially driven by elevated sTREM2-related microglial activation and stronger effects of ApoE4 carriership in women.

The Role of Adopted Orphan Nuclear Receptors in the Regulation of an Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) under the Action of Sex Hormones

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an influx transporter protein of the SLC superfamily, expressed mainly in the liver and some tumor cells. The mechanisms of its regulation are being actively studied. In the present study, the effect of sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) on OATP1B1 expression in HepG2 cells was examined. The role of adopted orphan receptors, farnasoid X receptor (FXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR) and liver X receptor subtype alpha (LXRa), was also evaluated. Hormones were used in concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μM, with incubation for 24 h. The protein expression of OATP1B1, FXR, CAR, PXR and LXRa was analyzed by Western blot. It was shown that estradiol (10 and 100 μM) increased the expression of OATP1B1, acting through CAR. Testosterone (1, 10 and 100 μM) increased the expression of OATP1B1, acting through FXR, PXR and LXRa. Progesterone (10 and 100 μM) decreased the expression of OATP1B1 (10 and 100 μM) and adopted orphan receptors are not involved in this process. The obtained results have important practical significance and determine ways for targeted regulation of the transporter, in particular in cancer.

The effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) roots on the reproductive aspects in male Japanese Quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

BACKGROUND

The Japanese quail is considered one of the most significant species in the poultry industry. However, the high male-to-female ratio results in the aggressive behavior of males. Dietary strategies that improve the properties of semen could reduce the number of males required to maintain optimal fertility and reduce aggressive behavior. Therefore, this study aims to provide insight into the possible improving efm fect of ginger roots on the reproductive aspects of Japanese male quails.

RESULTS

To achieve this objective, powder of Ginger roots was administrated to 2 groups of quails (10, and 15 g/Kg feed) from 7 days until 70 days of age. Some males were reared singly in cages (n = 40 for each group) to assess sperm quality and other males (n = 32 for each group) were raised with females to assess fertility and sperm-egg penetration. Additionally, biochemical tests and histological examination were also performed. When compared to the control group, dietary inclusion of Ginger at a dose of 15 g caused more improvement in ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, motility, viability and sperm-egg penetration. Whereas, the motility and fertility percentages of sperms were equipotent in both doses. Dose-dependent increases were found in the cloacal gland area and volume, as well as foam production and weight. Both doses resulted in a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol along with an elevation cin plasma testosterone and lipid peroxides. The comparison between all groups concerning nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity revealed the absence of significant difference. Morphologically, the diameter of the seminiferous tubules and the height of germinal epithelium significantly increased especially in the higher dose of Ginger.

CONCLUSIONS

Ginger roots especially at a dose of 15 gm/kg feed was effective in improving male reproductive performance. These findings are of utmost importance in encouraging the addition of Ginger roots in ration formulation in male quails.

5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone ameliorates cholesterol dysregulation by mediating SIRT1/FOXO3a/ABCA1 signaling in osteoarthritis chondrocytes

Dyslipidemia has been associated with the development of osteoarthritis. Our previous study found that 5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavone (TMF) exhibited protective activities against the pathological changes of osteoarthritis. Aim: To investigate the roles of TMF in regulating ABCA1-mediated cholesterol metabolism. Methods: Knockdown and overexpression were employed to study gene functions. Protein-protein interaction was investigated by co-immunoprecipitation, and the subcellular locations of proteins were studied by immunofluorescence. Results: IL-1β decreased ABCA1 expression and induced apoptosis. Therapeutically, TMF ameliorated the effects of IL-1β. FOXO3a knockdown expression abrogated the effects of TMF, and FOXO3a overexpression increased ABCA1 expression by interacting with LXRα. TMF promoted FOXO3a nuclear translocation by activating SIRT1 expression. Conclusions: TMF ameliorates cholesterol dysregulation by increasing the expression of FOXO3a/LXRα/ABCA1 signaling through SIRT1 in C28/I2 cells.

Sexually Dimorphic Relationships Among Saa3 (Serum Amyloid A3), Inflammation, and Cholesterol Metabolism Modulate Atherosclerosis in Mice

[Figure: see text].