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Bosnian Journal of Basic Medical... Aug 2020The functions of androgen and connexin in the mammalian female reproductive system are suggested to be related. Previous research has shown that androgen affects...
The functions of androgen and connexin in the mammalian female reproductive system are suggested to be related. Previous research has shown that androgen affects connexin expression in the female reproductive system, altering its function. However, no definitive conclusion on their cause-effect relationship has been drawn yet. In addition, a high prevalence of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), who are characterized by elevated androgen levels and failure of ovulation, has prompted the studies on the relationship between androgen and connexin in the ovaries. This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of androgen on connexin expression in the mammalian female reproductive system. The literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE via EBSCOhost and the Scopus database and the following keywords: "androgen" or "testosterone" or "androgen blocker" or "anti-androgen" or "androstenedione" or "dehydroepiandrosterone" or "flut-amide AND connexin" or "gap junction" or "cell junction". We only considered in vitro and in vivo studies that involved treatment by androgen or androgen receptor blockers and measured connexin expression as one of the parameters. Our review showed that the exposure to androgen or androgen blocker affects connexin expression but not its localization in the mammalian ovary. However, it is not clear whether androgen downregulates or upregulates connexin expression.
Topics: Androgen Antagonists; Androgens; Animals; Connexins; Female; Genitalia, Female; Humans; Mammals; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Receptors, Androgen
PubMed: 31881167
DOI: 10.17305/bjbms.2019.4501 -
Metabolites Sep 2019Steroidomics, an analytical technique for steroid biomarker mining, has received much attention in recent years. This systematic review and functional analysis,... (Review)
Review
Steroidomics, an analytical technique for steroid biomarker mining, has received much attention in recent years. This systematic review and functional analysis, following the PRISMA statement, aims to provide a comprehensive review and an appraisal of the developments and fundamental issues in steroid high-throughput analysis, with a focus on cancer research. We also discuss potential pitfalls and proposed recommendations for steroidomics-based clinical research. Forty-five studies met our inclusion criteria, with a focus on 12 types of cancer. Most studies focused on cancer risk prediction, followed by diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy monitoring. Prostate cancer was the most frequently studied cancer. Estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, and cortisol were mostly reported and altered in at least four types of cancer. Estrogen and estrogen metabolites were highly reported to associate with women-related cancers. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that steroidogenesis; androgen and estrogen metabolism; and androstenedione metabolism were significantly altered in cancers. Our findings indicated that estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone, cortisol, and estrogen metabolites, among others, could be considered oncosteroids. Despite noble achievements, significant shortcomings among the investigated studies were small sample sizes, cross-sectional designs, potential confounding factors, and problematic statistical approaches. More efforts are required to establish standardized procedures regarding study design, analytical procedures, and statistical inference.
PubMed: 31546652
DOI: 10.3390/metabo9100199 -
Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics and... Nov 2019Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious endocrinal disorder in women of reproductive age. Hormonal treatment with oral contraceptives, containing estrogen... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effect of chlormadinone acetate versus drospirenone-containing oral contraceptives on the endocrinal features of women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious endocrinal disorder in women of reproductive age. Hormonal treatment with oral contraceptives, containing estrogen (ethinyl-estradiol, EE) with progestogen (drospirenone, DRSP) or (chlormadinone acetate, CMA), has improved symptoms and biomarkers of PCOS.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present meta-analysis is to compare the effects of EE/DRSP versus EE/CMA on the endocrinal features of women with PCOS.
DATA SOURCES
Several electronic databases were searched for combinations of the following relevant MeSH terms were used: (ethinyl-estradiol OR EE) AND (drospirenone OR DRSP) AND (chlormadinone acetate OR CMA) AND (polycystic ovary syndrome).
METHODS
Records were screened for eligible studies and data were extracted to an online data extraction form. Outcomes of Ferryman-Gallwey score (FGS), body mass index, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), free androgen index, sex hormone-binding globulin, delta-4-androstenedione (A) and total testosterone levels (T) were pooled as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in a fixed effect meta-analysis model.
RESULTS
Three RCTs (EE/DRSP: n = 98 and EE/CMA: n = 87) were pooled in the analysis. The overall effect favoured EE/DRSP over EE/CMA in reducing (A) levels after three months (WMD -0.63; 95% CI [-0.94, -0.32], P < 0.001), FGS after six months (WMD -0.44; 95% CI [-0.99, -0.19], P = 0.0006), and total (T) after three months (WMD -0.12; 95% CI [-0.23, -0.01], P = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS
EE/DRSP showed a more potent effect than EE/CMA in the reduction of FGS after six months, (A) levels and (T) levels after three months in patients with PCOS.
Topics: Androstenedione; Androstenes; Chlormadinone Acetate; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Female; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Testosterone
PubMed: 30940512
DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2019.03.025