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Relevance: The clinical picture of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is extremely polymorphic, especially in adolescence. At the same time, the diagnostic criteria of PCOS in adolescence are still under discussion, and the hormonal parameters, including anti-Mullerian hormone range and hyperandrogenism, are not determined. The aim of the present study was to characterize the pivotal clinical and hormonal features of PCOS in adolescents and to establish the age-specific thresholds of the most essential hormonal parameters. Design: A case-control study. Methods: The study included 130 girls with PCOS according to the complete Rotterdam criteria, aged 15 to 17 years. The control group consisted of 30 healthy girls with a regular menstrual cycle of the same age. A complete clinical and laboratory examination, hormonal assays, and ultrasound of the pelvic organs were performed. The serums anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH, prolactin, estradiol, 17&alpha, OH progesterone (17&alpha, OHP), androstenedione, testosterone (T), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), leptin, and free androgen index (FAI) were analyzed. The diagnostic accuracy of AMH, FAI, LH/FSH, T, and androstenedione levels in predicting PCOS in adolescents was established using a logistic regression model and calculating area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Results: The serum levels of LH (9.0 (5.4&ndash, 13.8) vs. 3.7 (2.5&ndash, 4.7) IU/L, p &lt, 0.0001), LH/FSH (1.6 (1.0&ndash, 2.3) vs. 0.7 (0.5&ndash, 1.1), 0.0001), 17&alpha, &ndash, OHP (4.1 (3.2&ndash, 5.1) vs. 3.4 (2.7&ndash, 3.8) nmol/L, p = 0.0071), cortisol (464.0 &plusmn, 147.6 vs. 284.0 &plusmn, 129.7 nmol/L, 0.0001), prolactin (266.0 (175.0&ndash, 405.0) vs. 189.0 (142.0&ndash, 269.0) mIU/L, p = 0.0141), T (1.9 (1.2&ndash, 2.5) vs. 0.8 (0.7&ndash, 1.1) nmol/L, 0.0001), androstenedione (15.8 (11.6&ndash, 23.2) vs. 8.3 (6.5&ndash, 10.8) ng/mL, 0.0001), AMH (9.5 (7.5&ndash, 14.9) vs. 5.8 (3.8&ndash, 6.9) ng/mL, 0.0001), FAI (5.5 (2.8&ndash, 7.0) vs. 1.6 (1.1&ndash, 2.3), 0.0001), SHBG (37.0 (24.7&ndash, 55.5) vs. 52.9 (39.0&ndash, 67.6) nmol/L, p = 0.0136), DHEAS (6.8 &plusmn, 3.2 vs. 5.1 &plusmn, 1.5 &mu, mol/L, p = 0.0039), and leptin (38.7 &plusmn, 27.1 vs. 23.7 &plusmn, 14.0 ng/mL, p = 0.0178) were significantly altered in the PCOS patients compared to the controls. Multivariate analysis of all studied hormonal and instrumental parameters of PCOS in adolescents revealed as the most essential: AMH level &gt, 7.20 ng/mL, FAI &gt, 2.75, androstenedione &gt, 11.45 ng/mL, total T &gt, 1.15 nmol/L, LH/FSH ratio &gt, 1.23, and the volume of each ovary &gt, 10.70 cm3 (for each criterion sensitivity &ge, 75.0&ndash, 93.0%, specificity &ge, 83.0&ndash, 93.0%). The diagnostic accuracy of PCOS determination was 90.2&ndash, 91.6% with the combined use of either four detected indexes, which was significantly higher than the use of each index separately. The accuracy of PCOS diagnostics reached 92% using AMH and leptin concentrations when the value of the logistic regression function [85.73 &minus, (1.73 &times, AMH) &minus, (0.12 &times, Leptin)] was less than 70.72. Conclusions: The results of the study estimate the threshold for AMH, FAI, androstenedione, testosterone, LH/FSH, and ovarian volume, which could be suggested for use in the PCOS diagnostics in adolescents with a high sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, the combination of either four determined indexes improved the diagnostic accuracy for the PCOS detection in adolescents.

International Transaction Journal of Engineering, Management, & Applied Sciences & Technologies, 11, 1, 11A01T

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication which causes significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although intensive research has been performed in the last 40 years, the pathology of preeclampsia is still poorly understood. The present work is a comparative study of the myometrium of women with normal pregnancy, and those with late- and early-onset preeclampsia (n = 10 for each group). We observed significant changes in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy proteins in preeclamptic myometrium. Levels of superoxide dismutase 1 and catalase were lower in both preeclamptic groups than the control group. In late-onset preeclampsia, expression levels of essential mitochondria-related proteins VDAC1, TFAM, hexokinase 1, PGC-1α and PGC-1β, and autophagy marker LC3A, were significantly elevated. In the myometrium of the early-onset preeclampsia group OPA1 and Bcl-2 were up-regulated compared to those of the control (p, Highlights • Increases in VDAC1, TFAM, HK1, PGC-1α and PGC-1β levels in late-onset preeclamptic myometrium • Autophagy marker LC3A level was higher in the late-onset preeclampsia group. • In early-onset preeclamptic myometrium there is an evidence of enhanced mitochondrial fusion.

Most studies have considered the negative influence of obesity on fertility in both genders. In the present study, we assessed mitochondrial activity expressed as the mitochondrial potential index (MPI) in cumulus cells from obese women and women with a normal body mass index (BMI) during assisted reproductive therapy. The results revealed a significant reduction of MPI with increased body mass. The lower MPI levels in cumulus cells from obese women may reflect mitochondrial dysfunction caused by oxidative stress, which can affect the cumulus-oocyte complex and have an impact on oocyte development., Highlights • Reduction of MPI in cumulus cells with increase of body mass is revealed. • Correlation between cumulus cell MPI and serum level of adipokines was observed. • Decrease of MPI in cumulus from obese women reflects impaired mitochondrial activity.

Calcium ions (Ca2+) influx to mitochondrial matrix is crucial for the life of a cell. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is a protein complex which consists of the pore-forming subunit (MCU) and several regulatory subunits. MtCU is the main contributor to inward Ca2+ currents through the inner mitochondrial membrane. Extensive investigations of mtCU involvement into normal and pathological molecular pathways started from the moment of discovery of its molecular components. A crucial role of mtCU in the control of these pathways is now recognized in both health and disease. In particular, impairments of mtCU function have been demonstrated for cardiovascular and skeletal muscle-associated pathologies. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on mtCU structure, regulation, and function in different types of muscle tissues in health and disease.

Calcium plays a role of universal cellular regulator in the living cell and one of the crucial regulators of proper fetal development during gestation. Mitochondria are important for intracellular calcium handling and signaling. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is a multiprotein complex of the mitochondrial inner membrane responsible for the transport of calcium to the mitochondrial matrix. In the present study, we analyzed the expression level of mtCU components in two parts of the feto-maternal system – placenta and myometrium at full-term delivery and at preterm birth (PTB) on different stages: 22–27, 28–32, 33–36 weeks of gestation (n = 50). A gradual increase of mRNA expression and changes in protein content of MCU and MICU1 subunits were revealed in the placenta during gestation. We also observed slower depolarization rate of isolated placental mitochondria induced by Ca2+ titration at PTB. In myometrium at PTB relative gene expression level of MCU, MCUb and SMDT1 increased as compared to full-term pregnancy, but the tendency to gradual increase of MCU protein simultaneous with MCUb increase and MICU1 decline was shown in gestational dynamics. Changes observed in the present study might be considered both natural dynamics as well as possible pathological mechanisms underlying preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE Phase synchronization of arterial pressure (AP) and pulse interval (PI) oscillations in the low-frequency band (around 0.4 Hz in rats) is governed by baroreflex activity. In long-term stationary data recordings, such synchronization can be estimated by the coherence. The phase synchronization index (PSI) can be used as well. The aim of this study was to correlate PSI and the coherence of AP and PI under stationary conditions and to estimate the informativity of PSI as a measure of baroreflex activity during transient processes. APPROACH AP and PI were recorded in conscious Wistar rats using femoral artery catheters. To study the hemodynamics during hemorrhage, blood was gradually withdrawn (20 ml × kg-1 over 30 min) through a catheter in the carotid artery. MAIN RESULTS PSI and coherence spectra calculated from 30-minute AP and PI recordings demonstrated distinct peaks at the frequency of 0.4 Hz; these indicators correlate well with each other (Pearson r = 0.920, p

Relevance: Mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation are believed to play pivotal role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and related complications of metabolic disorders in adult patients. Though such researches are limited or almost absent in adolescents. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation on PCOS pathogenesis during adolescence with regard to body mass index and insulin resistance. Design: a case-control study. Methods: The study included 95 adolescent girls (15 to 17 years old inclusive) diagnosed with PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria. The control group consisted of 30 healthy girls of the same age with a regular menstrual cycle. All participants were subjected to a full clinical and instrumental examination, as well as an assessment of the levels of leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress marker. Serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-&alpha, and plasma concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), sFas, and sFasL were determined. Patients with PCOS were divided into groups according to the presence of metabolic disorders (MD) (impaired glucose tolerance and/or over insulin resistance) and normal weight or excessive weight (NW or OW). Results: Patients with PCOS of NW in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD&minus, /NW) had a lower concentration of MDA and a higher level of IL-10 compared to healthy girls (p &lt, 0.05). The group (MD&minus, /NW) was characterized with lower levels of CRP, leptin, MDA, and higher levels of sFasL, when compared to OW patients with PCOS in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD&minus, /OW) (p &lt, 0.05). Overweight adolescent girls with PCOS and metabolic disorders (MD+/OW) showed higher CRP, leptin, and a two-fold increase in IL-6 and IL-18 concentrations compared to the control group of healthy girls (p &lt, 0.05 for all parameters). The group (MD+/OW) was also characterized with higher levels of CRP, leptin, MDA, IL-18, MIF (p &lt, 0.05), when compared to overweight patients with PCOS in the absence of metabolic disorders (MD&minus, /NW). In comparison with the MD&minus, /OW group, the obese insulin resistant girls with PCOS (MD+/OW) had a highera level of IL-18 (p &lt, 0.05). Moreover, the MD+/OW girls demonstrated a significant increase in CRP, MDA and IL-18 levels when compared to the MD+/NW group (p &lt, 0.05). OW girls with PCOS without MD (MD&minus, /OW) had lower concentrations of sFasL compared to healthy girls (p &lt, 0.05), and higher levels of MDA compared to MD+/NW (p &lt, 0.05). Adolescent girls of NW with PCOS and with MD (MD+/NW) had lower levels of MDA compared to the control group of healthy girls (p &lt, 0.05). These data are confirmed by a correlation analysis and two-factor ANOVA test. Conclusions: Lean girls with PCOS demonstrate the protective mechanism of decrease in oxidative stress mediated by the activation of antioxidant defense, reduction of lipid peroxidation and systemic inflammation. Excessive weight and metabolic disorders in adolescents with PCOS are the most significant factors in reducing the capacity of antioxidant systems, activation of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation.

Intrasplenic allogeneic transplantation of multipotent stromal cells from the umbilical cord stimulates hepatocyte proliferation and promotes recovery of liver weight in rats after subtotal resection (80% organ weight). It can be hypothesized that this effect of multipotent stromal cells is due to more rapid recovery of the number of mitochondria and normalization of mitochondrial function of liver hepatocytes.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific syndrome, characterized in general by hypertension with proteinuria or other systemic disturbances. PE is the major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, the etiology of PE still remains unclear. Our study involved 38 patients: 14 with uncomplicated pregnancy; 13 with early-onset PE (eoPE); and 11 with late-onset PE (loPE). We characterized the immunophenotype of cells isolated from the placenta and all biopsy samples were stained positive for Cytokeratin 7, SOX2, Nestin, Vimentin and CD44. We obtained a significant increase in OPA1 mRNA and protein expression in the eoPE placentas. Moreover, TFAM expression was down-regulated in comparison to the control (p 2+-induced depolarization rate in both PE groups. Our results suggest an essential role of mitochondrial activity changes in an adaptive response to the development of PE.