Browsing by Author "Panidis, Dimitrios (7006001120)"

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transduces the glucocorticoid (GC) signal that could lead to metabolic derangements depending on the tissue responsiveness to GC. We aimed to investigate possible causative relation of the GR functional properties in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with their clinical and biochemical characteristics. Thirty women with PCOS [mean age: 26.5 ± 5.1 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 24.5 ± 5 kg/m2], and thirty respective controls were analyzed for the number of GR sites per cell (B max), apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (K d), and binding potency (GR potency). A strong association between B max and K d (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001), and GR potency with age (r = 0.49, P = 0.009) was observed in PCOS women. The multiple regression analyses within the PCOS group revealed that independent predictors for K d were BMI, total cholesterol, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) (r = 0.58, P = 0.038), while for GR potency (r = 0.687, P = 0.013) were age, BMI, DHEA-S, and basal cortisol concentration. The results suggest that PCOS pathophysiology may be related to alterations of a cross stalk between glucocorticoid signaling, age, and metabolic parameters. These findings should be further explored in studies on the role of GR in PCOS-related metabolic derangements. © 2009 Humana Press.

Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) transduces the glucocorticoid (GC) signal that could lead to metabolic derangements depending on the tissue responsiveness to GC. We aimed to investigate possible causative relation of the GR functional properties in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with their clinical and biochemical characteristics. Thirty women with PCOS [mean age: 26.5 ± 5.1 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 24.5 ± 5 kg/m2], and thirty respective controls were analyzed for the number of GR sites per cell (B max), apparent equilibrium dissociation constant (K d), and binding potency (GR potency). A strong association between B max and K d (r = 0.70, P < 0.0001), and GR potency with age (r = 0.49, P = 0.009) was observed in PCOS women. The multiple regression analyses within the PCOS group revealed that independent predictors for K d were BMI, total cholesterol, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) (r = 0.58, P = 0.038), while for GR potency (r = 0.687, P = 0.013) were age, BMI, DHEA-S, and basal cortisol concentration. The results suggest that PCOS pathophysiology may be related to alterations of a cross stalk between glucocorticoid signaling, age, and metabolic parameters. These findings should be further explored in studies on the role of GR in PCOS-related metabolic derangements. © 2009 Humana Press.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by obesity-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The objective of our study was to determine values of key lipid and lipoprotein fractions in PCOS, and their possible relation to insulin resistance. A total of 75 women with PCOS (aged 23.1 ± 5.1 years, BMI 24.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2), and 56 age- and BMI-matched controls were investigated. In all subjects, basal glucose, cholesterol (total, HDL, and LDL), oxidized LDL (OxLDL), triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo)A1, apoB, and apoE, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and free androgen index were determined in the follicular phase of the cycle. PCOS patients compared with controls had increased indices of insulin resistance, basal insulin (p < 0.001), and HOMA index (p < 0.001), and worsened insulin resistance-related dyslipidemia with decreased HDL cholesterol (p < 0.01), elevated triglycerides (p = 0.010), and pronounced LDL oxidation (p < 0.001). In conclusion, characteristic dyslipidemia of insulin resistance and unfavorable proatherogenic lipoprotein ratios were present only in women with PCOS and not in controls. Elevated OxLDL and the relation of apoE and nonesterified fatty acids with insulin resistance suggest that women with PCOS are at increased risk for premature atherosclerosis. © 2008 NRC.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by obesity-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The objective of our study was to determine values of key lipid and lipoprotein fractions in PCOS, and their possible relation to insulin resistance. A total of 75 women with PCOS (aged 23.1 ± 5.1 years, BMI 24.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2), and 56 age- and BMI-matched controls were investigated. In all subjects, basal glucose, cholesterol (total, HDL, and LDL), oxidized LDL (OxLDL), triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo)A1, apoB, and apoE, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index, and free androgen index were determined in the follicular phase of the cycle. PCOS patients compared with controls had increased indices of insulin resistance, basal insulin (p < 0.001), and HOMA index (p < 0.001), and worsened insulin resistance-related dyslipidemia with decreased HDL cholesterol (p < 0.01), elevated triglycerides (p = 0.010), and pronounced LDL oxidation (p < 0.001). In conclusion, characteristic dyslipidemia of insulin resistance and unfavorable proatherogenic lipoprotein ratios were present only in women with PCOS and not in controls. Elevated OxLDL and the relation of apoE and nonesterified fatty acids with insulin resistance suggest that women with PCOS are at increased risk for premature atherosclerosis. © 2008 NRC.

Objective: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are assumed to be at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study examined the variations in oxidised low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) concentration in relation to insulin levels in young women with PCOS. Design: Cross-sectional clinical study in tertiary cares research hospitals. A total of 179 women with PCOS (79 overweight) and 56 age- and body mass index-matched controls were examined. Methods: Blood samp les were collected in follicular phase of the cycle for the basal glucose, total-, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol, OxLDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and B (Apo-B), lipoprotein (a), insulin, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Homeostatic model index (HOMA) and free androgen index (FAI) were determined. Results: Overweight and normal weight women with PCOS had higher concentrations of OxLDL than their control counterparts (P=0.007 and 0.003 respectively). Both the basal insulin (P=0.003) and HOMA values (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in overweight than normal weight patients. Testosterone and FAI were higher in patients than in the respective controls (P < 0.001). The only independent predictor of increased OxLDL concentration in normal weight patients was Apo-B-to-Apo-A1 ratio (P<0.001, odds ratio (OR) 6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-16.4), while in obese PCOS, it was total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P<0.001, OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.6-4.9). Conclusion: Young normal weight and overweight PCOS women have similarly increased OxLDL levels. Our results may indicate the presence of primary alteration in lipid metabolism in patients with PCOS. To answer the question whether the alteration in LDL article size can by itself pose a higher cardiovascular risk, a careful follow-up of these women is needed. © 2006 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology.

Objective: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are assumed to be at increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. This study examined the variations in oxidised low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) concentration in relation to insulin levels in young women with PCOS. Design: Cross-sectional clinical study in tertiary cares research hospitals. A total of 179 women with PCOS (79 overweight) and 56 age- and body mass index-matched controls were examined. Methods: Blood samp les were collected in follicular phase of the cycle for the basal glucose, total-, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-cholesterol, OxLDL, triglycerides, apolipoprotein-A1 (Apo-A1) and B (Apo-B), lipoprotein (a), insulin, testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Homeostatic model index (HOMA) and free androgen index (FAI) were determined. Results: Overweight and normal weight women with PCOS had higher concentrations of OxLDL than their control counterparts (P=0.007 and 0.003 respectively). Both the basal insulin (P=0.003) and HOMA values (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in overweight than normal weight patients. Testosterone and FAI were higher in patients than in the respective controls (P < 0.001). The only independent predictor of increased OxLDL concentration in normal weight patients was Apo-B-to-Apo-A1 ratio (P<0.001, odds ratio (OR) 6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3-16.4), while in obese PCOS, it was total cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P<0.001, OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.6-4.9). Conclusion: Young normal weight and overweight PCOS women have similarly increased OxLDL levels. Our results may indicate the presence of primary alteration in lipid metabolism in patients with PCOS. To answer the question whether the alteration in LDL article size can by itself pose a higher cardiovascular risk, a careful follow-up of these women is needed. © 2006 Society of the European Journal of Endocrinology.