Evidence for decreased expression of APPL1 associated with reduced insulin and adiponectin receptors expression in PCOS patients

PURPOSE

To investigate the expression of Adaptor protein containing a PH domain, PTB domain and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1), insulin receptor (INSR), adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (adipoR1 and R2) and their possible associations in granulosa cells (GCs) of 22 polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women compared to the 22 non-PCOS controls with normal ovulatory function matched for BMI (body mass index).

METHODS

In this study, 44 infertile women aged 18-40 years undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocol were recruited. After follicular fluid collection, GCs were isolated and then purified with MACS (Micro Beads conjugated to monoclonal anti-human CD45 antibodies). RNA was extracted from GCs and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to assess APPL1 gene expression.

RESULTS

Expression of APPL1, insulin receptor and adiponectin system genes was significantly decreased in PCOS group compared to the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction of APPL1, insulin receptor and adiponectin system genes in GCs could be involved in the development of PCOS.

Curriculum for the new college of health sciences: A departure from the traditional medical education

As an outgrowth of the Report of the Imperial Commission on the Study of Health and Medical Problems, The College of Health Sciences was established as the basic educational unit to provide comprehensive health care education within the framework of a team approach to Iranian national health care. The programs are to nonrestrictive, thereby demonstrating the principles of the concept and practice. Because of this, the College is a multidiscipline institution, and will expand to include programs of study in all health care specialties. The program of study for the equivalent of the baccalaureate degree in the College is based on functional analysis of the tasks to be performed by the primary care workers called behdars. The curriculum is task oriented and is made up to two sections, each of 33 months instruction. The first year concentrates on basic functional science and medicine in an academic setting, and the following two years are spent in clinical training in geographically diverse dispensaries and health care facilities. The second stage of the academic program will be available to graduate behdars who have successfully completed two or more years of work in the health care network and who display academic and professional excellence. Through a unit system approach these candidates for doctor of medicine will complete eleven months or more of comprehensive instruction in functional basic sciences, and this will be followed by two years in comprehensive hospital internship.