Identification of urine biomarkers of endometriosis-Protein mass spectrometry.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to a series of pathological reactions. The basis is a changed proinflammatory activated immune system, which results in more pronounced oxidative stress, disturbed function of proteolysis and cell apoptosis. These processes are crucial in the development of the disease because their dysfunctional activities cause the progression of the disease. It is believed that the proteins excreted in the urine interact with each other and promote pathological processes in endometriosis. METHODS: We analyzed the urine proteome of patients and aimed to detect a potential protein biomarker for endometriosis in the urine proteome. We collected urine samples from 16 patients with endometriosis and 16 patients in the control group with functional ovarian cysts. The diagnosis for all patients was confirmed through pathohistological analysis. After the preanalytical preparation of the urine, chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) used the technology of urine proteome analysis. RESULTS: The main finding was a significantly different concentration of 14 proteins in the urine samples. We recorded a considerably higher concentration of proteins that have a significant role in activating the immune system (SELL), iron metabolism (HAMP) and cell apoptosis (CHGA) in endometriosis compared to controls. Proteins having an antioxidant function (SOD1) and a role in proteolysis of the extracellular matrix (MMP-9) were significantly reduced in endometriosis compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Consistent with the known pathogenesis of endometriosis, the study results complement the pathological responses that occur with disease progression.

Elevated Urinary AD7c-NTP Levels in Older Adults with Hypertension and Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension, a common chronic disease, is associated with cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD), seriously affects older adults' quality of life and aggravates the burden of disease on society and families. Elevated Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein (AD7c-NTP) has been observed in the urine of patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment; however, it is not clear whether this protein can be used as a biomarker for cognitive impairment in older hypertensive patients. OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of urinary AD7c-NTP, and the association of urinary AD7c-NTP with cognitive function in older hypertensive patients. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. In total, 134 hypertensive patients aged ≥60 years were divided into two groups: Lower Cognitive Function group (LCF group, n = 89) and Normal Control group (NC group, n = 45) based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Urinary AD7c-NTP, blood glucose, serum insulin, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. RESULTS: Urinary AD7c-NTP level was significantly higher in the LCF group than in the NC group [0.48 (0.21-1.00) versus 0.25 (0.04-0.44) ng/ml, p < 0.001]. The LCF group had lower SOD level [(43.07±23.74) versus (53.12±25.80) U/ml, p = 0.026] and higher homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) [7.17 (3.74-13.94) versus 6.01 (3.78-7.43), p = 0.033] than the NC group. Urinary AD7c-NTP level was associated with MoCA score and HOMA-IR but not with SOD, MDA, blood glucose, and insulin. CONCLUSION: The level of urinary AD7c-NTP is elevated in older hypertensive patients with lower cognitive function, and insulin resistance may be involved in the process.