ABSTRACT
Low birth weight increases neonatal morbidity and mortality, and surviving infants have increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disturbances later in life, as well as other neurological, psychiatric, and immune complications. A gestational excess of glucocorticoids (GCs) is a well-known cause for fetal growth retardation, but the biological basis for this association remains elusive. Placental growth is closely related to fetal growth. The placenta is the main regulator of nutrient transport to the fetus, resulting from the difference between placental nutrient uptake and the placenta's own metabolism. The aim of this study was to analyze how excess hydrocortisone affects placental glucose and lipid metabolism. Human placenta explants from term physiological pregnancies were cultured for 18 hours under different hydrocortisone concentrations (2.75, 5.5, and 55 mM; 1, 2, and 20 mg/ml). Placental glucose and lipid uptake and the metabolic partitioning of fatty acids were quantified by isotopic techniques, and expression of specific glucose transporter GLUT1 was quantified by western blot. Cell viability was assessed by MTT, immunohistochemistry and caspase activity. We found that excess hydrocortisone impairs glucose uptake and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, coincident with a GC-dose dependent inhibition of fatty acid oxidation and esterification. None of the experimental conditions showed an increased cell death. In conclusion, our results show that GC overexposure exerts a dysfunctional effect on lipid transport and metabolism and glucose uptake in human placental explants. These findings could well be directly related to a reduced placental growth and possibly to a reduced supply of nutrients to the fetus and the consequent fetal growth retardation and metabolic programming.
Subject(s)
Hydrocortisone/pharmacology , Placenta/metabolism , Adult , Apoptosis/drug effects , Biomarkers/metabolism , Esterification , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Fatty Acids/metabolism , Female , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Glucose/metabolism , Glucose Transporter Type 1/metabolism , Glucose Transporter Type 3/genetics , Glucose Transporter Type 3/metabolism , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Lipoprotein Lipase/metabolism , MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Placenta/enzymology , Pregnancy , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and oxidative stress may impair seminal quality leading to derangements in fertility. AIM: To identify an association between abdominal obesity and markers of seminal oxidative damage in adults with MS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy males aged 25 to 40 years, with MS according to ATP-III criteria volunteered for this cross-sectional study. The control group included 70 healthy and normal weight adults. Semen analysis included volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphologic features. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured, fat mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Sperm concentration and the percentage of sperms with normal motility and morphology were significantly lower in adults with MS, when compared to their healthy normal weight counterparts. Seminal levels of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were significantly higher among participants with MS. Significant correlations were found between WC and seminal markers of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with MS had an impaired seminal quality that may be explained, at least in part, by increased seminal oxidative damage.
Subject(s)
Infertility, Male/etiology , Metabolic Syndrome/metabolism , Obesity, Abdominal/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Semen/metabolism , Adult , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Male , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Obesity, Abdominal/complications , Sperm Count , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
Abdominal obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) and oxidative stress may impair seminal quality leading to derangements in fertility. Aim: To identify an association between abdominal obesity and markers of seminal oxidative damage in adults with MS. Material and Methods: Seventy males aged 25 to 40 years, with MS according to ATP-III criteria volunteered for this cross-sectional study. The control group included 70 healthy and normal weight adults. Semen analysis included volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphologic features. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured, fat mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance. Results: Sperm concentration and the percentage of sperms with normal motility and morphology were significantly lower in adults with MS, when compared to their healthy normal weight counterparts. Seminal levels of malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were significantly higher among participants with MS. Significant correlations were found between WC and seminal markers of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Individuals with MS had an impaired seminal quality that may be explained, at least in part, by increased seminal oxidative damage.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Infertility, Male/etiology , Metabolic Syndrome/metabolism , Obesity, Abdominal/metabolism , Oxidative Stress , Semen/metabolism , Body Mass Index , Case-Control Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Metabolic Syndrome/complications , Obesity, Abdominal/complications , Sperm Count , Waist CircumferenceABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: It is accepted low grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in metabolic syndrome. Further, several studies have reported it may be considered a therapeutic target. Accordingly, this study was conducted to ascertain the impact of a short-term aerobic training program on acute phase proteins in women with metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 135 adult women (38.4 ± 3.3 years) with metabolic syndrome volunteered for this study. Participants assigned to the intervention group underwent a 12-week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week. The main part of each exercise sessions was performed in a treadmill at moderate intensity (60- 75%HRmax; increasing 5% each 3 weeks) for 25-40 minutes (increasing 5 minutes each 3 weeks). Physical fitness was determined by a continuous maximal incremental test. Further, fat mass percentage and indices of obesity were assessed. Plasmatic levels of C reactive protein (CRP-us) and fibrinogen were determined by nephelometry and HPLC respectively. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Aerobic training improved physical fitness and reduced both fat mass percentage and indices of obesity. Compared with baseline, it also reduced significantly plasmatic levels of CRP-us (4.90 ± 0.7 vs. 3.77 ± 0.4 mg/l; p = 0.017) and fibrinogen (3.88 ± 0.4 vs. 3.36 ± 0.2 g/l; p = 0.025). Further, a moderate correlation was found between CRP-us and waist circumference (r = 0.66; p = 0.008). No significant changes were found in controls. CONCLUSION: A short-term, aerobic training program reduced acute phase proteins in young women with metabolic syndrome. Further, long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether correction of this low-grade inflammation improves clinical outcomes of women with metabolic syndrome.
Fundamento y objetivo: Actualmente se acepta la importancia del estatus proinflamatorio en la fisiopatología del síndrome metabólico. De hecho, ha sido propuesto como diana terapéutica en el manejo clínico de estos pacientes. Por consiguiente este estudio pretende reducir los niveles plasmáticos de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico mediante un corto programa de entrenamiento. Material y método: Un total de 135 mujeres jóvenes adultas (38,4 ± 3,3 años) con diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico participaron voluntariamente en este estudio. El grupo de intervención se sometió a un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de 12 semanas, con 3 sesiones/ semana en el que duración e intensidad de la parte principal se incrementaron progresivamente. Los niveles plasmáticos de proteína C-reactiva (PCR) y fibrinógeno se determinaron mediante nefelometría y HPLC respectivamente. También se evaluaron el fitness cardiovascular mediante prueba de esfuerzo máxima e índices de distribución de masa grasa. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: Tras completar el programa, se observo una mejora significativa del fitness cardiovascular además de una reducción también significativa de los niveles de fibrinógeno y PCR. Asimismo, se encontraron correlaciones entre niveles de reactantes e índices de distribución de masa grasa, siendo la de mayor fuerza de asociación la establecida entre PCR y perímetro cintura. Conclusión: Un programa de 12 semanas consiguió reducir los niveles de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico. Futuros estudios longitudinales son necesarios para conocer el impacto del efecto anti-inflamatorio del ejercicio en el manejo de estos pacientes a medio/largo plazo.
Subject(s)
Acute-Phase Proteins/analysis , Exercise Therapy , Metabolic Syndrome/blood , Metabolic Syndrome/therapy , Adult , Exercise Therapy/methods , Female , Humans , Premenopause , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Fundamento y objetivo: Actualmente se acepta la importancia del estatus proinflamatorio en la fisiopatología del síndrome metabólico. De hecho, ha sido propuesto como diana terapéutica en el manejo clínico de estos pacientes. Por consiguiente este estudio pretende reducir los niveles plasmáticos de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico mediante un corto programa de entrenamiento. Material y método: Un total de 135 mujeres jóvenes adultas (38,4 ± 3,3 años) con diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico participaron voluntariamente en este estudio. El grupo de intervención se sometió a un programa de entrenamiento aeróbico de 12 semanas, con 3 sesiones/ semana en el que duración e intensidad de la parte principal se incrementaron progresivamente. Los niveles plasmáticos de proteína C-reactiva (PCR) y fibrinógeno se determinaron mediante nefelometría y HPLC respectivamente. También se evaluaron el fitness cardiovascular mediante prueba de esfuerzo máxima e índices de distribución de masa grasa. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: Tras completar el programa, se observo una mejora significativa del fitness cardiovascular además de una reducción también significativa de los niveles de fibrinógeno y PCR. Asimismo, se encontraron correlaciones entre niveles de reactantes e índices de distribución de masa grasa, siendo la de mayor fuerza de asociación la establecida entre PCR y perímetro cintura. Conclusión: Un programa de 12 semanas consiguió reducir los niveles de reactantes de fase aguda en mujeres con síndrome metabólico. Futuros estudios longitudinales son necesarios para conocer el impacto del efecto anti-inflamatorio del ejercicio en el manejo de estos pacientes a medio/largo plazo (AU)
INTRODUCTION: It is accepted low grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in metabolic syndrome. Further, several studies have reported it may be considered a therapeutic target. Accordingly, this study was conducted to ascertain the impact of a short-term aerobic training program on acute phase proteins in women with metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 135 adult women (38.4 ± 3.3 years) with metabolic syndrome volunteered for this study. Participants assigned to the intervention group underwent a 12-week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week. The main part of each exercise sessions was performed in a treadmill at moderate intensity (60- 75%HRmax; increasing 5% each 3 weeks) for 25-40 minutes (increasing 5 minutes each 3 weeks). Physical fitness was determined by a continuous maximal incremental test. Further, fat mass percentage and indices of obesity were assessed. Plasmatic levels of C reactive protein (CRP-us) and fibrinogen were determined by nephelometry and HPLC respectively. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Aerobic training improved physical fitness and reduced both fat mass percentage and indices of obesity. Compared with baseline, it also reduced significantly plasmatic levels of CRP-us (4.90 ± 0.7 vs. 3.77 ± 0.4 mg/l; p = 0.017) and fibrinogen (3.88 ± 0.4 vs. 3.36 ± 0.2 g/l; p = 0.025). Further, a moderate correlation was found between CRP-us and waist circumference (r = 0.66; p = 0.008). No significant changes were found in controls. CONCLUSION: A short-term, aerobic training program reduced acute phase proteins in young women with metabolic syndrome. Further, long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether correction of this low-grade inflammation improves clinical outcomes of women with metabolic syndrome (AU)
