Search

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity and examine their association with radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and knee pain in Korean postmenopausal women. This cross-sectional study utilized the data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2009–2011. The participants were categorized into 4 groups based on body composition: either sarcopenic (appendicular skeletal muscle 2) or not. The prevalence of radiographic knee OA and knee pain was calculated. The effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was also evaluated. The prevalence of radiographic knee OA, knee pain, and both were all highest in the sarcopenic obese group and lowest in the control group (61.49% vs. 41.54%, 39.11% vs. 27.55%, 32.04% vs. 17.82%, all p

To evaluate risk factors leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurrence in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women. A retrospective cohort study of a total of 586 women diagnosed with PCOS aged 13–35 years at the gynecology department at a university hospital was done to evaluate PCOS phenotype, metabolic syndrome (MetS) diagnosis, body composition, insulin sensitivity, sex hormones, lipid profile, liver function, and transient elastography (TE). In PCOS women with NAFLD compared to those without, MetS diagnosis (Hazard ratio [HR] 5.6, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 2.2–14.4, p p = 0.01) were risk factors significantly associated with subsequent NAFLD occurrence, whereas 2-h insulin level in 75 g glucose tolerance test (GTT) (HR 1.2, 95% CI 0.5–2.5, p = 0.70) and body mass index (BMI) > 25 kg/m2 (HR 2.2, 95% CI 0.6–8.0, p = 0.24) was not. Among NAFLD patients who underwent TE, a higher number of MetS components indicated a worse degree of fibrosis and steatosis. MetS diagnosis and HA at PCOS diagnosis were risk factors associated with NAFLD, while 2-h insulin level in 75 g GTT and obesity were not. Although elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels were significant for NAFLD risk, liver enzyme elevations may not be present until late liver damage. Further prospective studies of PCOS women with MetS or HA are warranted to determine whether patients without liver enzyme elevations should undergo preemptive liver examinations.

This research aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of Rg3 on endometriosis and identify target miRNAs. We designed an in vitro study using human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) obtained from patients with endometriosis and an in vivo study using mouse models. HESCs were treated with Rg3-enhanced red ginseng extract (Rg3E); real-time PCR and microarray profiling, transfection, and western blot were performed. Mouse endometriosis models were developed and supplemented with Rg3E for 8 weeks. Gross lesion size and fibrotic character were analyzed in the mouse models. RNA levels of Ki-67, col-1, CTGF, fibronectin, TGF-β1, MMP2 and MMP9 significantly decreased in HESCs after Rg3E treatment. Microarray analysis revealed downregulation of miR-27b-3p, which is related to fibrosis modulation. Expression of miR-27b-3p was significantly higher in HESCs from patients with endometriosis than that of controls, and Rg3E treatment significantly decreased its expression; the contraction and migration assay revealed significant reductions in both fibrosis and migration potential in Rg3E-treated HESCs from endometriosis patients. A decrease in size and fibrotic character of endometrial lesions from the Rg3E groups was observed in vivo. In conclusion, Rg3 effectively altered fibrotic properties of HESCs from patients with endometriosis, which is likely associated with miR-27b-3p modulation.