The effects of formoterol on the serum, peritoneal VEGF, MDA, and VEGF levels in the ovaries and endometrium of rats with OHSS.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of formoterol (a beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist) on serum and peritoneal fluid VEGF, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and on VEGF-stained cell counts in the ovaries and endometrium of rats with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) within the framework of immunohistochemical analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 immature female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were given ten IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin/day on days 22-25 of life. They were administered 30 IU hCG on day 26 of life to mimic OHSS. On days 26 and 27 of life, 24 mcg/kg/day formoterol in group 3 and 48 mcg/kg formoterol in group 4 were administered intraperitoneally per animal. RESULTS: Although, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of serum and peritoneal fluid VEGF or MDA levels (serum VEGF: p = 0.28 1, peritoneal VEGF: p = 0.674, serum MDA: p = 0.543, peritoneal MDA: p = 0.506), there was a significant difference between the control and the OHSS placebo groups (p = 0.013) regarding the VEGF in the ovarian cortex. There was a significant difference between the control and the other groups in terms of ovarian stroma (p = 0.001), and there was also a statistically significant difference between the OHSS placebo and the other groups regarding VEGF in the endometrium (OHSS placebo vs. control group p = 0.002, OHSS placebo vs. the formoterol 24 mcg/kg group, p = 0.008, and OHSS-placebo vs. the formoterol 48 mcg/kg group, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Formoterol represents a potential novel strategy for the management of OHSS. Further studies, including those examining the dosage of formoterol, are warranted.

A Study of Serum Soluble CD 163 Levels in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to determine serum soluble CD163 levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and its relation to clinical and metabolic parameters. Eighty-four women aged 18-45 years, 43 with polycystic ovary syndrome and 41 controls were recruited in this case-control study. Serum sCD163 levels of the groups were compared. Other metabolic, hormonal, and clinical parameters including, body mass index, HOMA-IR, highly sensitive C- reactive protein, glucose, glycated hemoglobin, lipids, luteinizing hormone, and total testosterone and waist/hip circumference were also investigated. Patients were further subgrouped according to body mass index and sCD163 levels were investigated in obese and normal weight subjects. We performed a multiple regression analysis to investigate the independent predictors affecting soluble CD163 levels. Significantly higher soluble CD163 levels were found in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (2.11±0.65 ng/ml vs. 1.69±0.85 ng/ml, p=0.012). We detected positive correlations of sCD163 with total testosterone, total cholesterol, and luteinizing hormone (r=0.330, p=0.002, r=0.356, p<0.001 and r=0.239, p=0.030, respectively). In the multiple linear regression analysis, total testosterone was the variable associated with the elevation of serum soluble CD163 levels. Soluble CD163, which is identified as a marker of inflammation and type II diabetes, is elevated in polycystic ovary syndrome. Elevated sCD163 levels were found to be associated with total testosterone. Further studies to elucidate the exact mechanism underlying the elevation of serum soluble CD163 in polycystic ovary syndrome are needed.

The impact of follicular fluid adiponectin and ghrelin levels based on BMI on IVF outcomes in PCOS.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at evaluating the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index (BMI) on follicular fluid (FF) adiponectin and ghrelin levels, and on in vitro fertilization outcomes in patients who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed with a total of 120 primary infertile women [group 1; non-PCOS = 60 (BMI <25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30) and group 2; PCOS = 60 (BMI <25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30)]. On the day of oocyte pickup, FF samples were collected. RESULTS: The FF adiponectin levels were lower in the lean PCOS group than the lean non-PCOS group (p = 0.001), and these levels were lower in the overweight non-PCOS group compared to lean non-PCOS group (0.001). However, there was no difference in the FF ghrelin levels between the groups. Additionally, we could not find a relationship between clinical pregnancy and adiponectin and ghrelin levels. CONCLUSION: The FF adiponectin and ghrelin levels have no effects on clinical pregnancy in PCOS. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate this issue.

Serum adiponectin in gestational diabetes and its relation to pregnancy outcome.

We investigated adiponectin levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) at 24-28 gestational weeks. Fasting serum adiponectin, glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were determined in 88 pregnant women, 44 with GDM and 44 with NGT. Pre-pregnancy and current body mass indices (BMI), weight gain and pregnancy outcomes were investigated. Serum adiponectin was significantly reduced in GDM compared with the NGT group (p = 0.000). Adiponectin was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.419, p = 0.000); glucose (r = -0.263, p = 0.013); HbA1c (r = -0.274, p = 0.01); BMI (pre-pregnancy and current) (r = -0.317, p = 0.003 and r = -0.303, p = 0.004) and positively correlated with gestational age at delivery (r = 0.278, p = 0.009). The GDM group delivered significantly earlier than the NGT group (p = 0.001). Adverse pregnancy outcomes and abdominal delivery were higher in the GDM group (p = 0.000, p = 0.033, respectively), and adiponectin was significantly reduced in patients with adverse outcomes (p = 0.003) and abdominal delivery (p = 0.032). Adiponectin is reduced in patients with GDM. Association of adiponectin with adverse pregnancy outcomes remains to be elucidated.