Circulating Adipocytokines and Insulin Like-Growth Factors and Their Modulation in Obesity-Associated Endometrial Cancer.

The rising global incidence of uterine cancer is linked to the escalating prevalence of obesity. Obesity results in alterations in adipocytokines and IGFs, driving cancer progression via inflammation, increased cell proliferation, and apoptosis inhibition, although the precise mechanisms are still unclear. This study examined a set of six markers, namely, adiponectin, leptin, IL6, TNFα, IGF1, and IGF2 and compared them between fifty age-matched endometrial cancer patients (study group) and non-cancer patients with benign gynaecological conditions (control group). We also assessed the relationship of these markers with obesity and explored the correlation between these markers and various tumour characteristics. In the cancer population, these markers were also assessed 24 h and 6 months post-surgery. Remarkably, low adiponectin levels were associated with a 35.8% increase in endometrial cancer risk. Interestingly, compared to control subjects where IGF levels decreased after menopause, post-menopausal women in the study group showed elevated IGF1 and IGF2 levels, suggesting a potential influence of endometrial cancer on the IGF system, particularly after menopause. Lastly, it is noteworthy that a discernible inverse relationship trend was observed in the levels of adipocytokines and IGFs 6 months post-surgery. This indicates that treatment for endometrial cancer may have a differential impact on adipocytokines and IGFs, potentially holding clinical significance that merits further investigation.

The Role of Cytokines in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Gynaecological Cancers: A Systematic Review.

Chronic inflammation has been closely linked to the development and progression of various cancers. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process involving the acquisition of mesenchymal features by carcinoma cells and is an important link between inflammation and cancer development. Inflammatory mediators in the tumour micro-environment, such as cytokines and chemokines, can promote EMT changes in cancer cells. The aim of this systematic review is to analyse the effect of cytokines on EMT in gynaecological cancers and discuss their possible therapeutic implications. A search of the databases CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, Medline, PubMed, TRIP, and Web of Science was performed using the keywords: "cytokines" AND "epithelial mesenchymal transition OR transformation" AND "gynaecological cancer". Seventy-one articles reported that various cytokines, such as TGF-ß, TNF-α, IL-6, etc., promoted EMT changes in ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers. The EMT changes included from epithelial to mesenchymal morphological change, downregulation of the epithelial markers E-cadherin/ß-catenin, upregulation of the mesenchymal markers N-cadherin/vimentin/fibronectin, and upregulation of the EMT-transformation factors (EMT-TF) SNAI1/SNAI2/TWIST/ZEB. Cytokine-induced EMT can lead to gynaecological cancer development and metastasis and hence novel therapies targeting the cytokines or their EMT signalling pathways could possibly prevent cancer progression, reduce cancer recurrence, and prevent drug-resistance.

Adipocytokines and disease progression in endometrial cancer: a systematic review.

The objective of the study was to document the effect of adipocytokines on endometrial cancer progression. A search of the databases CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar was performed for English language articles from January 2000 to December 2020 using the keywords: (Endometrial cancer) AND (progression OR metastasis) AND (adipocytokine OR adiponectin OR leptin OR visfatin OR IL-6 OR TNF-α OR adipokine OR cytokine). Forty-nine studies on adipocytokines have been included in this review. Adiponectin has been linked with anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects on endometrial cancer cells and is associated with a better prognosis. Leptin, visfatin and resistin are linked to the stimulation of endometrial cancer growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis and are associated with worse prognosis or with a higher grade/stage of endometrial cancer. IL-6, Il-11, IL-31, IL-33, TNF-α, TGF-ß1, SDF-1 and CXCR are involved in endometrial cancer cell growth and metastasis or involved in epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) or associated with advanced disease. Adipocytokines have been found to directly impact endometrial cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. These molecules and their signalling pathways may be used to determine prognosis and course of the disease and may also be exploited as potential targets for cancer treatment and prevention of progression.

Role of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid on Caesarean Blood Loss: A Prospective Randomised Study.

BACKGROUND: Post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) is a major cause of maternal mortality globally. Tranexamic acid, an anti-fibrinolytic agent, is a novel approach in an attempt to prevent this dreadful complication. This study aims to document the efficacy of intravenous (IV) tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss during and after caesarean section (CS). METHODS: In this prospective randomised placebo-controlled open-label study, 100 mothers scheduled for elective CS were randomly selected and divided into two groups (study and control) of 50 each. The study group received 1 g IV tranexamic acid and the control group received IV placebo. Following delivery, all mothers received ten units of oxytocin in 500 ml of normal saline. RESULTS: The mean intra-operative and post-partum blood loss were significantly lower in the study group than the control group: 499.11 ± 111.2 and 59.93 ± 12.5 ml versus 690.85 ± 198.41 and 110.06 ± 13.47 ml, respectively, (p < 0.001). Total blood loss was 30 % less in the study group (p < 0.001). Six mothers had PPH in the control group, while none in the study group. The difference between the pre-operative and post-operative haemoglobin levels was significantly less in the study group than the control group, 0.26 ± 0.22 versus 0.99 ± 0.48 g% (p < 0.001).There was no significant difference with respect to other haematological parameters. There was no added adverse effect or need for NICU admission in the study group. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative IV tranexamic acid significantly reduced blood loss during elective CS without any significant adverse effects.

Quality of life assessment of patients with chronic liver disease in eastern India using a Bengali translation chronic liver disease questionnaire.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to translate and validate chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) into Bengali using a standard protocol and use it to assess the impact of socioeconomic factors, etiology, disease severity and complications on the quality of life of patients. METHODS: Formal translation of CLDQ to Bengali was done. Cronbach's alpha and test-retest was performed for reliability analysis. Patients with clinically stable chronic liver disease (CLD) without significant associated co-morbid states were administered Bengali CLDQ in the Liver Clinic. The clinical, biochemical and disease parameters were recorded for analysis. RESULTS: Bengali CLDQ was administered to 100 patients with CLD. Cronbach's alpha of overall scores was 0.90 and test-retest correlation coefficient of average CLDQ was 0.86 (P<0.001). Patients with history of decompensation (96.51 vs. 109.61; P=0.039) and Child's C status (92.24 vs. 105.71; P=0.028) had significantly lower CLDQ scores. CLDQ scores showed a moderate inverse correlation with Child's status (r= -0.35) and a poor correlation with MELD score (r= -0.09). CONCLUSION: Bengali translation of CLDQ was found to be reliable. History of decompensation, Child's C status was associated with worse CLDQ scores. Child's status may have some role in predicting quality of life of patients with CLD. MELD score had poor predictability of quality of life.