Long pentraxin 3 and vitamin D receptor mRNA expression pattern of cumulus granulosa cells isolated from PCOS oocytes at different stages of nuclear maturation

BACKGROUND

A fine-tuned pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory balance in the follicular unit is essential for cumulus expansion and successful ovulation. While the long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) gene is required for the expansion of cumulus cells (CCs), ovulation, resumption of meiosis and fertilization, the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR-X2) is required for intra-follicle redox balance. This study was planned to determine the expression pattern of VDR-X2 and PTX3 mRNA in CCs isolated from germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), and metaphase II (MII) oocytes of PCOS patients with ovulatory dysfunction.

METHODS

The relative expression of CC-PTX3 and CC-VDR-X2 mRNA were evaluated using qRT-PCR in a total of 79 CC samples collected from individual cumulus-oocyte complex of 40 infertile patients (20 PCOS and 20 non-PCOS normal responders) who underwent ovarian stimulation with the GnRH antagonist protocol.

RESULTS

Relative PTX3 mRNA expressions of CCMI-control and CCMII-control showed 3- and 9-fold significant upregulation compared to CCGV-control, respectively. The relative PTX3 mRNA expression of CCMII-control increased approximately three fold compared to CCMI-control. Compared to CCGV-pcos, a 3-fold increase was noted in the relative PTX3 mRNA expression of CCMI-pcos and an approximately 4-fold increase in the PTX3 mRNA expression of CCMII-pcos. Relative PTX3 mRNA expression values of CCMII-pcos and CCMI-pcos were similar. A 6-fold upregulation of relative PTX3 mRNA and a 4-fold upregulation of VDR-X2 mRNA were detected in CCMII-control compared to CCMII-pcos. CC-VDR-X2 expression patterns of the PCOS and control groups overlapped with the CC-PTX3 pattern. Fertilization rates of the PCOS group exhibiting failed transcript expression were similar to normal responders.

CONCLUSION

The fact that relative CC-PTX3 and CC-VDR mRNA expression does not increase during the transition from MI to MII stage in PCOS as in normal responders suggests that PTX3 and VDR expression may be defective in cumulus cells of PCOS patients with ovulatory dysfunction.

The morphology of cyamella and its prevalence in Turkish society

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and morphometry of cyamella, one of the sesamoid bones around the knee joint.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, a total of 9,500 plain/digital radiographs of 6,500 patients over the age of 18 who applied to Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital between January 2021 and January 2022 were examined.

RESULTS

Examinations revealed cyamella in a total of 76 (0.8%) knees in the direct X-ray images of 49 (0.75%) patients. Eighteen (36.74%) of the patients with the presence of cyamella were males, and 31 (63.26%) were females. The mean age of the patients with cyamella was 50.9±12.9. Twenty-seven (55.1%) of the 49 cyamella were bilateral; seven (14.3%) were in the right knee, and 15 (30.6%) were in the left knee. The comparison of cyamella sizes between genders revealed a statistically significant difference in the transverse measurements only (p=0.015) in the right knee, while a statistically significant difference was found in all 3 parameters (p=0.032 for thickness; p=0.04 for transverse; p=0.026 for length) in the left knee.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that sufficient knowledge regarding the prevalence and distribution of cyamella in patients presenting with the complaint of knee pain and its differentiation from fabella, another sesamoid bone in the same region, as well as other anatomical structures, will aid an early and accurate diagnosis.

Basal blood concentrations of some orexigenic and anorexigenic hormones in obese and nonobese individuals according to blood groups

OBJECTIVE

Obesity is a serious public health problem associated with excessive food intake. Regulation of food intake in highly organized organisms is under the control of a large number of orexigenic and anorexigenic molecules. Therefore, the main purpose of this study has been to determine the relationship between obesity and some of the circulating orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides that have a role in appetite control and to determine whether the concentrations of these molecules differ according to blood groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 400 individuals of whom 100 were obese women, 100 obese men, 100 healthy men and 100 healthy women. Obese women and men were divided into 4 groups, according to their blood groups. In the control group, healthy women and healthy men were similarly divided into 4 blood groups. Each blood group within the groups, therefore, had 25 participants.

RESULTS

When leptin, nesfatin-1, obestatin and neuropeptide-Y, ghrelin and galanin levels of the control group and obese participants were compared, regardless of blood groups, leptin, nesfatin-1, obestatin and neuropeptide-Y were significantly higher, whereas only the ghrelin levels were significantly lower in obese patients. When the amounts of these hormones were measured according to gender, the situation was similar. When leptin, nesfatin-1, obestatin and neuropeptide-Y values of the control and obese participants' blood groups were compared with each other; these hormones were high in all blood groups; however, leptin levels in A blood group, nesfatin-1 levels in AB and O blood group, obestatin levels in AB blood group, neuropeptide-Y levels in A, B, AB blood groups were significantly higher. When the ghrelin levels of the blood groups in the control group and obese participants were compared, it was only significantly lower in the AB blood group. The ghrelin levels in the other blood groups of the obese individuals were again low, but not significantly so. When the distribution of hormones according to gender was evaluated, a situation parallel to the above results was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

Leptin, nesfatin-1, obestatin and neuropeptide-Y and galanin levels of obese individuals were significantly higher than the control values, whereas the ghrelin values were significantly lower regardless of blood groups. Also, these hormones in blood partly varied with ABO blood groups. These different concentrations of hormones in ABO blood groups might be related with stimulation or suppression of appetite in human. However, further studies in other ethnic groups are needed to confirm these results.

Asprosin, visfatin and subfatin as new biomarkers of obesity and metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are important public health problems associated with adipose tissue mass. Asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin are new members of which fate in MetS and obesity has not been fully revealed yet. Thus, this study was to investigate the association between asprosin, visfatin, subfatin, and biochemical values, demographic data, and body composition measurement values in MetS patients with and without obesity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were taken from a total of 90 people, including 31 MetS patients with obesity, 29 MetS patients without obesity, and 30 healthy (control). Asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin were studied by the ELISA method.

RESULTS

There was a negative correlation between asprosin and Body Mass Index (BMI) in the MetS + Obese group. The correlations between asprosin and urea and fasting insulin (FI) levels in the MetS group were positive and statistically significant (p < 0.05). While there was a statistically significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between visfatin and BMI in the MetS + Obese group, the correlation with waist circumference in the MetS + Obese and MetS groups was statistically significant and negative (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative relationship (p < 0.05) between aspartate aminotransferase value and visfatin. The results between visfatin values and asprosin and subfatin in all groups were significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a direct relationship between circulating amounts of asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin hormones and age, weight, height, diastolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, and creatinine. Therefore, asprosin, visfatin, and subfatin hormones are the new biomarkers of metabolic turbulence.

The morphology of fabella and its prevalence in Turkish society

OBJECTIVE

Fabella is a sesamoid whose prevalence is unstable and can be found as bone or cartilage, which changes over time. This study aims to reveal the prevalence, distribution, gender differences, and morphometric characteristics of cartilage and bony fabella in the Turkish population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 2.035 individuals over 18 years of age. MR images of 121 individuals, whose MR images of both knees could be obtained by anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the participants, were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

The prevalence of fabella was 39.6% in females, 38.4% in males, and 38.8% in total. The prevalence of cartilage fabella was 9.1%, whereas bone fabella incidence was 29.7% regardless of gender. The fabella's mean thickness, width, length, and distance to the epicondylus lateralis femoris were 3.84 mm, 6.04 mm, 6.23, and 31.26 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The data of this study showing the occurrence and morphometric characteristics of bony and cartilaginous fabella allow early and accurate diagnosis of various pathological conditions caused by fabella.

Prevalence and distribution of triticeal cartilage

BACKGROUND

The triticeal cartilage can be found in the lateral thyrohyoid ligament. The triticeal cartilage may exist in different shapes and locations; may be present unilaterally or bilaterally, or absent. The study aims to determine the prevalence, distribution, level, shape, and the degree of ossification of the triticeal cartilage by using three-dimensional computed tomography angiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Computed tomography angiography images of 1450 patients (785 women and 665 men), obtained in the period from 1 January 2017 to 30 September 2019, were evaluated retrospectively. Any unilateral or bilateral presence or the absence of triticeal cartilage was recorded with its anatomical level, shape, and degree of ossification.

RESULTS

At least one triticeal cartilage was found in the computed tomography angiography images of 57.4% (833 out of 1450) patients. The prevalence was 51.3% in women (403 out of 785) and 64.7% in men (430 out of 665). Bilateral triticeal cartilages were more common compared to unilateral ones. Ossification was most commonly mild at a rate of 39.1%. A round-shaped triticeal cartilage was the most common form at a rate of 46.6%. Triticeal cartilage was detected at various intervertebral disc levels from the second and third cervical vertebrae to the level of the sixth cervical vertebra.

CONCLUSIONS

Triticeal cartilage is common in the Turkish population and it should receive substantial attention from clinicians because it can be confused with calcified plaques and fractures of the superior horn of the thyroid cartilage. Therefore; for appropriate diagnoses and treatment, it is important to know the prevalence of triticeal cartilage with its distribution, intervertebral disc levels of location, shapes, and ossification degrees.

Can renalase be a novel candidate biomarker for distinguishing renal tumors?

Renalase (RNLS) is synthesized mainly in renal tissues. The function of RNLS in cancerous renal tissues has not been investigated. We investigated the synthesis of RNLS in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, papillary renal cell carcinoma and clear cell renal cell carcinoma with Fuhrman grades (FG): FG1, nucleoli are absent or inconspicuous and basophilic; FG2, nucleoli are conspicuous and eosinophilic and visible but not prominent; FG3, nucleoli are conspicuous and eosinophilic; FG4, extreme nuclear pleomorphism, multinucleate giant cells, and/or rhabdoid and/or sarcomatoid differentiation. We used 90 tissue samples including 15 healthy controls, 15 chromophobe renal cell carcinoma tissues and 10 papillary renal cell carcinoma renal tissues: 12 FG1, 14 FG 2, 14 FG 3 and 10 FG4. RNLS in the tissue samples was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and immunostaining of RNLS in these tissues. RNLS was significantly greater in the chromophobe renal cell carcinoma and papillary renal cell carcinoma tissues than the control. The least amount of RNLS was found in the renal tissues of clear cell renal cell carcinoma FG1; the amount of RNLS increased as the FG grades increased. Because RNLS increased significantly in renal tissues due to cancer, except for clear cell renal cell carcinoma FG1, RNLS may be useful biomarker for distinguishing grades of renal cancer. Because RNLS increases cell survival, anti-RNLS preparations may be useful for treating cancer in the future.

Effects of carnosine on apoptosis, transient receptor potential melastatin 2, and betatrophin in rats exposed to formaldehyde

We investigated the effects of exposure to formaldehyde on transient receptor potential melastatin 2, betatrophin, total oxidant status and total antioxidant status in rat liver and kidney tissues. We also investigated the effects of carnosine on formaldehyde treated animals. We used 28 male rats divided ramdomly into four groups of seven: untreated control group, carnosine treated group, formaldehyde treated group and formaldehyde + carnosine group. The experiment lasted for four weeks. Betatrophin levels in samples were measured uing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and total oxidant status and total antioxidant status were measured using REL assay diagnostic kits. We detected betatrophin and transient receptor potential melastatin 2 immunoreactivity using immunohistochemistry and assessed apoptosis using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling. The betatrophin and total antioxidant status levels decreased in kidney, liver and plasma following exposure to formaldehyde, while total oxidant status and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling positivity increased. Carnosine supplementation reversed histopathology and biochemical damage caused by formaldehyde. We suggest that carnosine treatment may be useful for protecting persons exposed to formaldehyde.

Effects of iloprost and sildenafil treatment on elabela, apelin-13, nitric oxide, and total antioxidant and total oxidant status in experimental enzyme-positive acute coronary syndrome in rats

Despite significant advances in medicine, mortality due to cardiovascular disease is not yet preventable. We investigated the amounts of elabela (ELA) and apelin, synthesized by cardiomyocytes, and changes of these compounds in cardiac tissue and circulation after administration of iloprost (ILO) and sildenafil (SIL) in rats with induced myocardial ischemia (MI). We also investigated a connection with circulating troponin-I, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and nitric oxide (NO), and total anti-oxidant (TAS)/total oxidant status (TOS). We established eight study groups of five rats each. Group 1, sham, was given only physiologic serum; group 2, ILO; group 3, SIL; group 4, ILO + SIL; group 5, MI; group 6, MI + ILO; group 7, MI + SIL; group 8, MI + ILO + SIL. Troponin-I, CK, CK-MB and TAS-TOS were investigated using an autoanalyzer. NO, ELA and apelin were analyzed by ELISA. Tissue apelin and ELA expressions and localizations were determined by immunohistochemistry. The MI group compared to the control (sham) group showed that ELA, apelin, troponin-I, CK, CK-MB, NO and TOS levels were elevated significantly. Concentrations of these factors increased in MI, but decreased after ILO and SIL administration. The largest decrease of TOS was identified in the ILO + SIL group. ELA and apelin may be novel indicators of MI and administration of ILO and SIL, individually or together, may be useful for treating MI.