Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) circulating levels and gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent condition where diabetes is diagnosed during pregnancy, affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a circulating adipokine which belongs to the lipocalin family and acts as a specific carrier protein that delivers retinol (vitamin A) from the liver to the peripheral tissues. Growing data indicate that circulating RBP4 levels may positively correlate with GDM. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the potential relationship between circulating RBP4 levels and GDM when measured at various stages of pregnancy.

Methods

MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMCARE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify studies comparing pregnant women with and without GDM, whose circulating RBP4 levels were measured in at least one pregnancy trimester. Findings were reported using standardized mean difference (SMD) and random-effects models were used to account for variability among studies. Furthermore, the risk of bias was assessed using the RoBANS tool.

Results

Out of the 34 studies identified, 32 were included in the meta-analysis (seven with circulating RBP4 levels measured in the first trimester, 19 at 24-28 weeks, and 14 at >28 weeks of pregnancy). RBP4 levels were statistically higher in the GDM group than in controls when measured during all these pregnancy stages, with the noted RBP4 SMD being 0.322 in the first trimester (95% CI: 0.126-0.517; p < 0.001; 946 GDM cases vs. 1701 non-GDM controls); 0.628 at 24-28 weeks of gestation (95% CI: 0.290-0.966; p < 0.001; 1776 GDM cases vs. 1942 controls); and 0.875 at >28 weeks of gestation (95% CI: 0.252-1.498; p = 0.006; 870 GDM cases vs. 1942 non-GDM controls). Significant study heterogeneity was noted for all three pregnancy timepoints.

Conclusion

The present findings indicate consistently higher circulating RBP4 levels in GDM cases compared to non-GDM controls, suggesting the potential relevance of RBP4 as a biomarker for GDM. However, the documented substantial study heterogeneity, alongside imprecision in effect estimates, underscores the need for further research and standardization of measurement methods to elucidate whether RBP4 can be utilized in clinical practice as a potential GDM biomarker.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO (CRD42022340097: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022340097).

Diagnosis and management of parathyroid carcinoma: a state-of-the-art review

Parathyroid carcinoma is one of the least common endocrine malignancies and accounts for approximately 1% of all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. A systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between January 2000 and March 2022 via Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EudraCT, ClinicalTrials.gov, CINAHL and SCOPUS was conducted. Manuscripts were eligible if they included data on adult non-pregnant populations with parathyroid carcinoma. No restrictions regarding interventions, comparators or duration of follow-up were imposed. Single case reports, reviews or meta-analyses were excluded. Outcomes of interest were molecular pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and overall survival. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. This review included 75 studies from 17 countries, reporting on more than 3000 patients with parathyroid carcinoma. CDC73 mutation has been recognised as playing a pivotal role in molecular pathogenesis. Parathyroid carcinoma typically presents with markedly increased calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. The most frequently described symptoms were bone and muscle pain or weakness. En bloc resection remains the gold standard for the surgical approach. The 5-year overall survival ranged from 60 to 93%, with resistant hypercalcaemia a significant cause of mortality. Emerging evidence indicating that targeted therapy, based on molecular biomarkers, presents a novel treatment option. The rarity of PC and need for personalised treatment warrant multidisciplinary management in a 'centre of excellence' with a track record in PC management.

Genetic and Diet-Induced Animal Models for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Research

A rapidly increasing incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is noted worldwide due to the adoption of western-type lifestyles and eating habits. This makes the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive the pathogenesis of this chronic disease and the development of newly approved treatments of utmost necessity. Animal models are indispensable tools for achieving these ends. Although the ideal mouse model for human NAFLD does not exist yet, several models have arisen with the combination of dietary interventions, genetic manipulations and/or administration of chemical substances. Herein, we present the most common mouse models used in the research of NAFLD, either for the whole disease spectrum or for a particular disease stage (e.g., non-alcoholic steatohepatitis). We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each model, along with the challenges facing the researchers who aim to develop and use animal models for translational research in NAFLD. Based on these characteristics and the specific study aims/needs, researchers should select the most appropriate model with caution when translating results from animal to human.

Weight loss with bariatric surgery or behaviour modification and the impact on female obesity-related urine incontinence: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis

Women with obesity are at risk of pelvic floor dysfunction with a 3-fold increased incidence of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) and double the risk of stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and European Association of Urology (EAU) recommend that women with a body mass index ≥30 kg/m² should consider weight loss prior to consideration for incontinence surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis will assess this recommendation to aid in the counselling of women with obesity-related urinary incontinence (UI). Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online (MEDLINE), EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SCOPUS were systematically and critically appraised for all peer reviewed manuscripts that suitably fulfilled the inclusion criteria established a priori and presented original, empirical data relevant to weight loss intervention in the management of urinary incontinence. Thirty-three studies and their outcomes were meta-analysed. Weight loss interventions were associated in a decreased prevalence in UI (OR 0.222, 95% CI [0.147, 0.336]), SUI (OR 0.354, 95% CI [0.256, 0.489]), UUI (OR 0.437, 95% CI [0.295, 0.649]) and improved quality of life (PFDI-20, SMD -0.774 (95% CI [-1.236, -0.312]). This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that weight loss interventions are effective in reducing the prevalence of obesity-related UI symptoms in women. Bariatric surgery in particular shows greater sustained weight loss and improvements in UI prevalence. Further large scale, randomized control trials assessing the effect of bariatric surgery on women with obesity-related UI are needed to confirm this study's findings.

Metabolic syndrome is associated with prostate enlargement: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression on patients with lower urinary tract symptom factors

BACKGROUND

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by at least three of the following five criteria: blood pressure ⩾130/85 mmHg, fasting blood glucose ⩾5.6 mmol/l, triglycerides concentration ⩾1.7 mmol/l, waist circumference ⩾102 cm (for men), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration <1.03 mmol/l (for men). MetS has been associated with worse lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and higher International Prostate Symptom questionnaire scores.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and SCOPUS were critically appraised for all peer-reviewed manuscripts that suitably fulfilled our protocol's inclusion criteria established a priori. Meta-analytical and meta-regression calculations were performed in R using the Sidik-Jonkman and Hartung-Knapp random effects model and predefined covariates.

RESULTS

A total of 70 studies (n = 90,206) were included in qualitative synthesis. From these, 60 studies focused on MetS and LUTS: 44 reported positive correlations, 5 reported negative correlations, 11 reported no association, and 10 studies focused on MetS and total prostate volume (TPV). MetS positively correlated with moderate LUTS [odds ratio (OR)  = 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35-1.80], severe LUTS (OR = 2.35, 95% CI = 1.82-3.03), overactive bladder (OAB; OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.6-5.8), and nocturia severity (OR = 2.509, 95% CI = 1.571-4.007) at multivariate analysis. A total of 30 studies (n = 22,206) were included in meta-analysis; MetS was significantly associated with higher TPV (mean differences = 4.4450 ml, 95% CI = 2.0177-6.8723), but no significant predictive factors for effect sizes were discovered.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between the aggravating effects of MetS, which commonly coexists with obesity and benign prostate enlargement.

Male Obesity Associated Gonadal Dysfunction and the Role of Bariatric Surgery

Obesity is an ever growing pandemic and a prevalent problem among men of reproductive age that can both cause and exacerbate male-factor infertility by means of endocrine abnormalities, associated comorbidities, and direct effects on the precision and throughput of spermatogenesis. Robust epidemiologic, clinical, genetic, epigenetic, and preclinical data support these findings. Clinical studies on the impact of medically induced weight loss on serum testosterone concentrations and spermatogenesis is promising but may show differential and unsustainable results. In contrast, literature has demonstrated that weight loss after bariatric surgery is correlated with an increase in serum testosterone concentrations that is superior than that obtained with only lifestyle modifications, supporting a further metabolic benefit from surgery that may be specific to the male reproductive system. The data on sperm and semen parameters is controversial to date. Emerging evidence in the burgeoning field of genetics and epigenetics has demonstrated that paternal obesity can affect offspring metabolic and reproductive phenotypes by means of epigenetic reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells. Understanding the impact of this reprogramming is critical to a comprehensive view of the impact of obesity on subsequent generations. Furthermore, conveying the potential impact of these lifestyle changes on future progeny can serve as a powerful tool for obese men to modify their behavior. Healthcare professionals treating male infertility and obesity need to adapt their practice to assimilate these new findings to better counsel men about the importance of paternal preconception health and the impact of novel non-medical therapeutic interventions. Herein, we summarize the pathophysiology of obesity on the male reproductive system and emerging evidence regarding the potential role of bariatric surgery as treatment of male obesity-associated gonadal dysfunction.