Normal Weight Women Research Articles

Comparing of Metabolic Syndrome Components, Inflammation, Cortisol Level, and Psychological Distress in Obese/Overweight and Normal Weight Women

Background: High levels of stress in obese people, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disorder, and social pressures can increase cortisol level and lead to psychological disorders. The aim of this study is to compare psychological distress, biochemical parameters, and metabolic syndrome components between normal-weight and overweight (OW)/obese women. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted on 75 women aged 18 to 60; they were divided into three groups: obese and OW on diet (obese/OW on diet), obese and OW without diet (obese/OW without diet), and normal-weight. The components of metabolic syndrome, serum cortisol, and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were measured. General health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was also completed to assess psychological distress. Result: The results revealed that there was a significant difference between normal weight and the other two groups regarding metabolic syndrome components, which included waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar (FBS), systolic blood-pressure (SBP), and hs-CRP (P<0.05). Serum cortisol level was significantly higher in obese/OW on diet compared with the other two groups (P<0.001). Moreover, the total-GHQ score was significantly lower in normal weight compared with the group of obese/OW on diet and the group without diet (P=0.001). Conclusion: Being on a diet may expose a person to stress and increase the serum cortisol level. Elevated psychological distress, metabolic syndrome components, and inflammation were apparent in obese and OW women compared to normal-weight ones.

Diabetes and the social, biologic, and behavioral determinants of endometrial cancer in the United States

BackgroundEndometrial cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects women’s reproductive system. The risk of endometrial cancer is associated with biologic, behavioral and social determinants of health (SDOH). The focus of the work is to investigate the cumulative effect of this cluster of covariates on the odds of endometrial cancer that heretofore have only been considered individually.MethodsWe conducted a quantitative study using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) national data collected in 2020. Data analysis using weighted Chi-square test and weighted logistic regression were carried out on 84,118 female study participants from the United States.ResultsWomen with diabetes mellitus were approximately twice as likely to have endometrial cancer compared to women without diabetes (OR 1.54; 95%CI: 1.01–2.34). Biologic factors that included obesity (OR 3.10; 95% CI: 1.96–4.90) and older age (with ORs ranging from 2.75 to 7.21) had a significant increase in the odds of endometrial cancer compared to women of normal weight and younger age group of 18 to 44. Among the SDOH, attending college (OR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-3.00) was associated with increased odds of endometrial cancer, while renting a home (OR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.88), having other arrangements (OR 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02–0.16), being divorced (OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.30–0.99), and having higher incomes ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 (OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16–0.78), and above $50,000 (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14–0.62), were all associated with decreased odds of endometrial cancer. As for race, Black women (OR 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07–0.84) and women of other races (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15–0.88) were shown to have lower odds of endometrial cancer compared to White women.ConclusionOur results revealed the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to the study of the associated factors of endometrial cancer by including social, biologic, and behavioral determinants of health. The observed social inequity in endometrial cancer among women needs to be addressed through effective policies and changes in social structures to advocate for a standardized healthcare system that ensures equitable access to preventive measures and quality of care.

Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes in Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus: evidence from a tertiary hospital in Beijing.

To examine the effects of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes and determine the optimal range of weight gain during pregnancy for Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This retrospective cohort study included 691 Chinese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus from 2012 to 2020. The study utilized a statistical-based approach to determine the optimal range of gestational weight gain. Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the impact of gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes. (1) In the obese subgroup, gestational weight gain below the recommendations was associated with decreased risks of large for gestational age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.60) and macrosomia (aOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.05-0.69). In the normal weight subgroup, gestational weight gain below the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine was associated with decreased risks of preeclampsia (aOR 0.18; 95% CI 0.04-0.82) and neonatal hypoglycemia (aOR 0.38; 95% CI 0.15-0.97). (2) In the normal weight subgroup, gestational weight gain above the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine was associated with an increased risk of large for gestational age (aOR 4.56; 95% CI 1.54-13.46). In the obese subgroup, gestational weight gain above the recommendations was associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia (aOR 2.74; 95% CI 1.02, 7.38). (3) The optimal ranges of gestational weight gain, based on our study, were 9-16kg for underweight women, 9.5-14kg for normal weight women, 6.5-12kg for overweight women, and 3-10kg for obese women. (4) Using the optimal range of gestational weight gain identified in our study seemed to provide better prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes. For Chinese women with type 2 diabetes, inappropriate gestational weight gain is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the optimal range of gestational weight gain may differ from the Institute of Medicine recommendations.

Association of air temperature exposure during pregnancy with risk of preeclampsia in Guangzhou, China

Environmental exposures during pregnancy have been associated with adverse obstetric outcomes. However, limited and inconsistent evidence exists regarding the association between air temperature exposure and the risk of preeclampsia (PE). This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between ambient temperature exposure during pregnancy and PE risk, as well as identify the specific time window of temperature exposure that increases PE risk. A population-based cohort study was conducted from January 2012 to April 2022 in Guangzhou, China. Pregnant women were recruited in early pregnancy and followed until delivery. A total of 3,314 PE patients and 114,201 normal pregnancies were included. Ambient temperature exposures at different gestational weeks were recorded for each participant. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the correlation between ambient temperature exposure and PE risk. Stratified analyses were conducted based on maternal age and pre-pregnancy BMI. Distributed lag models were employed to identify the time window of temperature exposure related to PE. Exposure to extreme high temperature (aOR = 1.24, 95 % CI 1.12–1.38) and moderate high temperature (aOR = 1.22, 95 % CI 1.10–1.35) during early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of PE. Furthermore, women with higher pre-pregnancy BMI had a higher risk of developing PE when exposed to high temperature during early pregnancy compared to normal-weight women. The time window of temperature exposure related to PE was identified as pregnancy weeks 1 to 8. This study provides evidence for the association of high temperature exposure during early pregnancy with the risk of PE, as well as identifies the specific time window of temperature exposure related to PE. These findings have implications for developing potential strategies to protect pregnant women, particularly those with higher pre-pregnancy BMI, from the adverse effects of extreme temperatures during early pregnancy.

Роль ангиогенного фактора в развитии эндометриальной дисфункции у женщин репродуктивного возраста с аномальными маточными кровотечениями и ожирением

The steady increase in the number of patients with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) has a negative impact on a woman's reproductive health. Obesity is defined as one of the risk factors for AUB and its role in the development of AUB-M and AUB-O has been studied to date. However, our earlier analysis of the results of histological examination of endometrial biopsies showed that in obese women with AUB, the desquamation phase (AUB-E) is significantly more common in the endometrium than in normal-weight women. One of the possible pathogenetic mechanisms may be abnormal endometrial vascularization due to systemic proinflammatory status and local tissue hypoxia. Aim. To identify the features of the expression of endothelial markers CD34+ and eNOS in endometrial biopsies of patients with AUB and obesity and their role in the pathogenesis of endometrial dysfunction. Materials and methods. A prospective randomized cohort study included 40 patients of reproductive age with AUB-E. Depending on the presence of obesity, women were stratified into 2 groups: 20 patients with AUB-E and obesity (group 1) and 20 normal-weight patients with AUB-E (group 2). 10 healthy women of reproductive age were included as a control group. All patients underwent endometrial biopsy followed by histological examination according to the standard procedure. At the second stage, an immunohistochemical study of CD34+ and eNOS angiogenesis markers was performed using monoclonal mouse antibodies in standard dilution. The IBM SPSS Statistics v.26 program (IBM Corporation, USA) was used for statistical data analysis. Results. CD34+ expression in patients with AUB and obesity was significantly higher than in normal-weight patients with AUB and healthy women (2,5±0,2, respectively; 95% CI 2,1–2,8 vs. 1,8±0,2; 95% CI 1,5–2,2 and 0,5±0,1; 95% CI 0,4–0,6; p1-2=0,03; p1-3<0,001; p2-3<0,001), as well as eNOS expression (respectively 8,7±0,6; 95% CI 7,3–10,0 vs. 4,0±0,5; 95% CI 3–5 and 1,3±0,2; 95% CI 0,9–1,7; p1-2<0,001; p1-3<0,001; p2-3<0,001). Conclusion. Patients with AUB-E and obesity are characterized by increased expression of CD34+ and eNOS in endometrial tissue, which indicates pathological activation of neoangigenesis. Perhaps one of the mechanisms of pathogenesis is the formation of a proinflammatory profile against the background of obesity, which contributes to the pathological hypervascularization of the endometrium. Effective weight loss measures can probably reduce the incidence and recurrence of AUB-E.

(O-38) SEXUAL FUNCTION OF WOMEN WITH NORMAL WEIGHT, OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY FROM 18 TO 50 YEARS OLD

Abstract Introduction Female sexual dysfunctions (FSD) can influence physical and mental health, causing limitations in the ability to respond to or enjoy sexual pleasure. Studies show that overweight and obesity can lead to the onset of FSD, but the evidence found remains conflicting. Objective To investigate and compare the sexual function of women between 18 and 50 years old, obese, overweight and eutrophic. Materials and methods Observational and comparative study. A link to the questionnaire was sent through social networks to women between 18 and 50 years old, sexually active in the last four weeks before answering the questionnaire, after agreeing to participate in the study and signing the consent form, they filled out a form. with demographic data and the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire, postmenopausal women were excluded from the survey. This study was approved by the ethics and research committee of the FMABC University Center with opinion number: 4,229,411. Results 325 women participated in the study, with an average age of 28 years, where 186 were classified as obese (49.60%), 109 as overweight (29.07%) and 80 as obese (21.33%, the majority married in a stable union). . union (50.13%) or single (42.93%).In the total score of the FSFI questionnaire (median), non-obese participants obtained 16.4 points, overweight participants obtained 16.4 points, and obese participants they obtained 17.1, without significant difference. in the comparison of DSF according to BMI classification (p=0.887). Conclusions There were no statistically significant results on sexual function in obese, overweight and normal weight women in the study. Financing No conflict.

(199) The Impact of Body Weight on Sexual Function on Woman

Abstract Introduction Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a complex disorder which has an impact on women regardless of their age and race, and related to a variety of biological, psychological, and social determinants. Sexuality impact quality of life through effects on the emotional and psychological health of a woman. Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of body weight on sexual function in women. The associations of sexual function with demographic and clinical variables were evaluated. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of comparing female sexual function index in normal weight and obese women. Patients with a diagnosis of benign gynecologic disease who admitted for gynecological surgery at our institution from January 2012 to December 2015 were evaluated. Total 349 women were enrolled in this study and complete the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaires. 264 women in normal weight group (body mass index, BMI <25 kg/m2) and 85 women in obese group (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) participated. Risk factors for female sexual function were examined using logistic regression models. We used a two-sample t-test and chi-square test for the categorical variables. Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables Results The mean BMIs were 21.6±1.95 (mean±SD, kg/m2) in normal weight group and 27.6±2.56 in obese group (p < 0.001). There were also significant differences in age (mean±SD, 43.3±10.17 vs. 46.9±8.70 years, p = 0.002), parity (mean±SD, 1.5±0.99 vs. 1.9±1.19, p = 0.001), vaginal parity (mean±SD, 1.1±1.06 vs. 1.5±1.38, p = 0.043), marriage status (80.7% vs. 89.4%, p = 0.046) and hypertension (6.1% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.012). There were no differences in postmenopausal status, prior history of pelvic reconstructive surgery and urinary symptoms. In comparison of FSFI scores, there were significant differences in total score and all 6 domain scores (Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, Orgasm, Satisfaction and pain) between normal weight and obese group (p < 0.001). In the multiple logistic regression model for female sexual dysfunction, BMI, menopause and marriage were significantly different. Conclusions This study suggests that obesity has some impact on female sexual function. And menopause and marriage status are also associated with female sexual dysfunction. As obese woman population is increasing, the further study will be needed in a larger subgroup of women with long-term follow up period Disclosure No.

Silhouette showcards confirm altered obesity-associated body image perception in international cohort study of African-origin populations

ObjectivesGiven the increasing prevalence of obesity and need for effective interventions, there is a growing interest in understanding how an individual’s body image can inform obesity prevention and management. This...

한국 중년여성의 대사증후군에 영향을 미치는 요인

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the impact of health-related variables and women's health-related variables on metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women of normal weight. The objective was to provide foundational data for the development of preventive education and intervention programs for metabolic syndrome among this population in the future. The study included 1,357 middle-aged women who participated in the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016, 2017, 2018) and were categorized as normal weight (BMI 18.5-22.9). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS WIN 27.0, and for all analyses, variance estimation strata, clusters, and integrated weights were calculated to perform complex sample analysis. Among the subjects, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 5.3%. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, age, menopausal status, and menopausal age were not significant factors. However, compared to those who reported their subjective health status as “good,” individuals reporting “reasonable” health had a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, individuals who did not engage in regular physical activity had a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome compared to those who did. The factor that most influences metabolic syndrome in middle-aged women of normal weight is subjective health status. Subjective health status can serve as an indicator for identifying high-risk groups for diseases or prioritizing interventions in the health management of middle-aged women in the future.

Obesity contributes to telomere shortening in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifactorial disorder and obesity occurs in 38% to 88% of these women. Although hyperandrogenism may contribute to telomere lengthening, increased body mass index (BMI) is associated with telomere erosion. We sought to compare leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in PCOS women with normal, overweight, and obese BMI. We evaluated the relationship between LTL and clinical variables of PCOS and inflammatory biomarkers independent of BMI. A total of 348 women (243 PCOS and 105 non-PCOS) were evaluated for anthropometric measures, total testosterone, androstenedione, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI), fasting insulin and glycemia, lipid profile, homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and homeostatic model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). LTL was measured by qPCR. The PCOS group presented higher weight, waist circumference, BMI, testosterone, LH, fasting insulin, FAI, and HOMA-IR, and lower E2, SHBG, and fasting glycemia measures compared with the non-PCOS. When stratified by BMI, LTL was increased in all subgroups in PCOS compared to non-PCOS. However, in the PCOS group, LTL was lower in overweight (P = 0.0187) and obese (P = 0.0018)compared to normal-weight women. The generalized linear model showed that BMI, androstenedione, homocysteine, and CRP were associated with telomere biology. Women with PCOS had longer LTL, however, overweight or obesity progressively contributes to telomere shortening and may affect reproductive outcomes of PCOS, while androstenedione may increase LTL.

The Association Between Daily Intake of Dietary Supplements and Self-Reported Endometriosis: A NHANES-Based Study.

Dietary supplements are gaining recognition as potential influencers of female reproductive health, but their connection to endometriosis risk remains underexplored. This study addressed this gap, examining the impact of daily dietary supplement intake on the initiation and progression of endometriosis. To explore this, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving 3950 participants representative of the US population from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Infertility was determined by a question on year-long attempts to become pregnant. Unweighted and weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the association between dietary supplements and endometriosis risk. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the participants' body mass index (BMI). The results revealed intriguing patterns. Specifically, higher dietary fiber content (Q4 vs Q1: OR = 0.56, 95% CI = (0.37,0.84), P = 0.0062) and density (Q4 vs Q1: OR = 0.55, 95% CI = (0.38,0.81), P = 0.0035) were linked to reduced risk of endometriosis. Protein content (Q4 vs Q1: OR = 0.47, 95% CI = (0.31,0.74), P = 0.0011) and density (Q4 vs Q1: OR = 0.63, 95% CI = (0.45,0.88), P = 0.0096) similarly exhibited a negative association with endometriosis risk. Interestingly, when stratified by BMI, these effects were pronounced in normal-weight women, whereas they were not evident in the overweight and obese subgroup. Protein content and density showed no significant associations across subpopulations. In conclusion, this study established a negative relationship between dietary fiber and endometriosis, particularly notable in normal-weight women. Future research is essential to validate these findings and establish a causal link between dietary fiber and endometriosis.

Differing Effects of Body Size on Circulating Lipid Concentrations and Hemoglobin A1c Levels in Young and Middle-Aged Japanese Women.

The condition of being underweight is a social problem in Japan among women. However, there is a lack of evidence for dietary guidance for underweight women because there has been no comparison of lipids or HbA1c among underweight, normal weight, and overweight women in different age groups. We analyzed the effect of body size and age on the serum lipid and hemoglobin A1c levels in Japanese women in a cross-sectional study. A total of 26,118 women aged >20-65 years underwent physical examinations between 2012 and 2022. Seventeen percent of women aged >20-29 years were underweight, and 8% of those aged 50-65 years were underweight. Total cholesterol and non-HDL-C concentrations increased with age, but the difference between underweight and overweight individuals was lowest among women aged 50-65 years. On the other hand, the differences in HDL-C, TG, and HbA1c levels between underweight and overweight subjects were greatest in the 50-65 age group, but the differences between underweight and normal weight subjects were much smaller. Considering that, unlike HDL-C, TG, and HbA1c, TC and non-HDL-C increase to levels comparable to overweight levels in underweight women in aged 50-65 years, educating people about a diet that lowers non-HDL-C is necessary even in young underweight women.

Intensive glycaemic targets in overweight and obese individuals with gestational diabetes mellitus: clinical trial protocol for the iGDM study

IntroductionThe prevalence of both obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has increased, and each is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes including fetal overgrowth, neonatal morbidity, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and...

Higher pre-pregnancy body mass index was associated with adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome after a freeze-all strategy: Ahistorical cohort study.

Previous studies have demonstrated that abnormal body mass index (BMI) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles. However, the relationship between BMI and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unclear. Furthermore, whether a diagnosis of PCOS could result in adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with different BMIs remains unknown. A historical cohort study included 1667 women with PCOS and 12 256 women without PCOS after a freeze-all policy between January 2016 and December 2020. The outcomes encompassed both pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline models were performed to eliminate confounding factors when investigating the relationship between BMI and different outcomes. After controlling for covariates, pregnancy outcomes were comparable between underweight women with PCOS and normal weight women with PCOS. However, overweight patients had a lower clinical pregnancy rate and an overall live birth rate. Furthermore, patients with obesity had a lower rate of multiple pregnancies but a higher rate of biochemical pregnancy than in the normal BMI group. Additionally, the restricted cubic spline models showed that as maternal BMI increased to 32 kg/m2, the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate after blastocyst transfer decreased, but the risks of preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, macrosomia, large-for-gestational age (LGA) and very LGA increased in patients with PCOS after a freeze-all strategy. Moreover, a diagnosis of PCOS resulted in a higher clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate and a higher risk of small-for-gestational age in the normal weight group. However, women with PCOS in the overweight group exhibited higher risks of very preterm birth and gestational diabetes mellitus compared with women without PCOS. This study showed that a higher BMI had a detrimental impact on the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of PCOS patients undergoing a freeze-all strategy. However, it was only statistically significant in the overweight group. A diagnosis of PCOS had a higher clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in normal weight women but higher risks of perinatal complications in normal weight and overweight women.

Association of maternal body mass index change with risk of large for gestational age among pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study

Objective To investigate the associations of body mass index (BMI) change and large for gestational age (LGA) among prepregnancy normal-weight women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods The retrospective study including 9515 normal-weight pregnant women (1331 women with GDM and 8184 without GDM) was conducted in Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital in 2020. The BMI change was calculated as gestational weight gain in kilograms by maternal height in meters. The binary logistic regression, stratified analyses, restricted cubic spline models and additive interaction analysis were adopted to reveal the relationship between BMI change and LGA. Results Pregnant women with GDM had a lower level of BMI change but a higher incidence of LGA compared with those without GDM. After adjustment for covariates variables, we found that the risk of LGA was associated with the highest quartile of BMI change (OR = 1.89, 95%CI:1.27–2.8 for GDM and OR = 1.48,95%CI:1.27–1.75 for non-GDM). There were significant linear relationships of BMI change and LGA with the inflection point of 5.096 and 5.401 kg/m2 in GDM and non-GDM groups. Significant additive interaction was observed between parity and BMI change level concerning LGA. A significant difference in BMI change and gestational weight gain (GWG) for LGA prediction was detected. Conclusion Higher BMI changes were significantly associated with a higher risk of LGA in pregnant women with or without GDM in a linear dose-response relationship, with the threshold around 5.096 and 5.401 kg/m2, respectively. These suggested that BMI changes may be a useful predictor for the incidence of LGA in singleton pregnant women.

The effect of aerobic and high-intensity interval training on plasma pentraxin 3 and lipid parameters in overweight and obese women.

It is unclear whether different exercise programs lead to an increase in the concentration of plasma Pentraxin3 (PTX3), an anti-inflammatory protein. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise (AE) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on plasma PTX3 levels in overweight and obese women. A total of 45 sedentary women aged between 32.26 ± 6.30 voluntarily participated in the study. The control group (CG, n=15) was selected among normal-weight women. Women in the group of participants who partook in exercise consisted of overweight and obese women according to a random method, including the AE group (n=15) and the HIIT group (n=15). The AE session conducted was 50 min in duration and consisted of warm-up exercises (5 min), and primary exercises (40 min, basic aerobic-step exercises). HIIT consists of warm-up exercises (5 min), primary exercises (work intervals: 6-10 × 1 min (80-90% HRmax), rest intervals: 1 min (walk, 50% HRmax), 21-29 min running. The exercises were applied for three sessions/week for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken from all participants before and after exercise and their body composition was measured. As a result of two different 12-week exercises, serum PTX3 levels increased significantly by 47.53% in the AE group and 50.21% in the HIIT group (p<0.01). It was determined that the mean PTX3 before and after exercise increased from 1.71 ± 0.43 to 2.47 ± 0.40 ng/dL and HIIT from 1.62 ± 0.39 to 2.31 ± 0.33 ng/dL. A significant decrease in body mass index (BMI) values were detected, approximately 5.81% in the AE group and 5.06% in the HIIT group (p<.01). A significant decrease was detected in glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, and hsCRP whereas HDL-C and VO2max value increased significantly in both exercise groups (p<.05; p<.01). There were no significant differences in TG and TC levels between groups (p>.05). Also, no significant differences were found between the two types of exercises in terms of parameters. A significant negative correlation in the total sample was found between PTX3 with BMI, fat mass, LDL-C, and hsCRP. The percentage change in PTX3 values was not different between exercise types, whereas PTX3 was increased with exercise, regardless of the type of exercise. It can be said that both aerobic and HIIT increase PTX3, VO2max levels and improve lipid metabolism in overweight and obese women.

Obesity attenuates the beneficial effect of an intrauterine infusion of autologous platelet-rich plasma during in vitro fertilization.

To assess how obesity, normal weight (NW) versus overweight/obese (OW/OB), impacts platelet-rich plasma's (PRP) effectiveness during in vitro fertilization and how obesity affects platelets during the menstrual cycle. Endometrial mean thickness (EMT), embryo implantation, and clinical pregnancy were assessed using a self-controlled retrospective study that enrolled 59 patients with two failed cycles and treated with autologous PRP (three-dose scheme). The NHANES dataset was used to assess platelet changes during the menstrual cycle, using the mean platelet volume to platelet count ratio (MPR) index. The COSINOR packages for R were used to determine rhythmicity. PRP treatments significantly improved the EMT (2.5 ± 1.4 mm, P<0.001), unaffected by obesity. After the PRP treatment, one patient spontaneously became pregnant; therefore, 58 patients underwent embryo transfer (62 cycles), of which in 39 cycles the embryos implanted (63.9%). This was a significant improvement from their previous cycle (vs. 22.6%, P<0.001). Clinical pregnancy also improved with the PRP treatment over the previous cycle (57.4% vs. 16.1%, P<0.001). When stratified by obesity, there was an appreciable decrease in embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates for the OW/OB group; nevertheless, the PRP treatment significantly improved embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy (P<0.05). A rhythm was observed with the MPR index (P<0.05) only for the NW group, suggesting that the platelets normally fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. PRP improved embryo implantation and clinical pregnancy rates; however, these beneficial effects were attenuated by obesity. PRP presumptively promoted a change in the uterine environment to mimic the normal findings associated with normal-weight women.

Association of Neuregulin-4 levels and body mass index with hyperandrogenism in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disease that affects approximately 15% of women of childbearing age worldwide. It is one of the causes of infertility and is characterized by hirsutism, acne, persistent or interrupted anovulation, and hyperandrogenemia. Neuregulin-4 (NRG-4) is an adipokine hormone from the protein neuregulin family. Its level is greater in PCOS than in control women, and Neuregulin-4 is linked to body fat percentage and liver fat, as well as insulin resistance (IR). Objectives: To estimate the serum NRG-4 levels in women diagnosed with (PCOS), to compare it with, non-PCOS healthy control and to explore the effect of hyperandrogenism on the obtained result. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Gynecology and the Infertility Clinics in Kut - Zahraa Hospital, Medical City, from September to December 2022. The study included 120 women aged (18-42) years, 60 of whom were diagnosed with polycystic ovaries, and the other 60 were in the control group. Results: Women with PCOS had a significantly higher NRG-4, LH, LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, free testosterone, and Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) than the control groups. In this study, NRG-4 was significantly higher in obese and overweight PCOS women than in normal-weight women. Conclusion: The mean serum NGR-4 concentration is significantly increased in women with PCOS and could be a part of metabolic syndrome. NGR-4 levels were associated with obesity, hyperandrogenism (testosterone, free testosterone, and DHAES) and may have a role in the development of PCOS. Received: May,, 2022 Accepted: Oct, 2023 Published: Jan.2024

The obese inflammatory microenvironment may promote breast DCIS progression.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), characterized by a proliferation of neoplastic cells confined within the mammary ducts, is distinctly isolated from the surrounding stroma by an almost uninterrupted layer of myoepithelial cells (MECs) and by the basement membrane. Heightened interactions within the adipose microenvironment, particularly in obese patients, may play a key role in the transition from DCIS to invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), which is attracting growing interest in scientific research. Adipose tissue undergoes metabolic changes in obesity, impacting adipokine secretion and promoting chronic inflammation. This study aimed to assess the interactions between DCIS, including in situ cancer cells and MECs, and the various components of its inflammatory adipose microenvironment (adipocytes and macrophages). To this end, a 3D co-culture model was developed using bicellular bi-fluorescent DCIS-like tumoroids, adipose cells, and macrophages to investigate the influence of the inflammatory adipose microenvironment on DCIS progression. The 3D co-culture model demonstrated an inhibition of the expression of genes involved in apoptosis (BAX, BAG1, BCL2, CASP3, CASP8, and CASP9), and an increase in genes related to cell survival (TP53, JUN, and TGFB1), inflammation (TNF-α, PTGS2, IL-6R), invasion and metastasis (TIMP1 and MMP-9) in cancer cells of the tumoroids under inflammatory conditions versus a non-inflammatory microenvironment. On the contrary, it confirmed the compromised functionality of MECs, resulting in the loss of their protective effects against cancer cells. Adipocytes from obese women showed a significant increase in the expression of all studied myofibroblast-associated genes (myoCAFs), such as FAP and α-SMA. In contrast, adipocytes from normal-weight women expressed markers of inflammatory fibroblast phenotypes (iCAF) characterized by a significant increase in the expression of LIF and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8, and CXCL-10. These changes also influenced macrophage polarization, leading to a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype. In contrast, myoCAF-associated adipocytes, and the cancer-promoting microenvironment polarized macrophages towards an M2 phenotype, characterized by high CD163 receptor expression and IL-10 and TGF-β secretion. Reciprocal interactions between the tumoroid and its microenvironment, particularly in obesity, led to transcriptomic changes in adipocytes and macrophages, may participate in breast cancer progression while disrupting the integrity of the MEC layer. These results underlined the importance of adipose tissue in cancer progression.

The effect of obesity on oxidative stress parameters in pregnant women

Objective: In recent years, there has been a growing public concern about obesity, since it is known to reduce fertility in women and increase the duration of conception. Maternal obesity is also related to adverse pregnancy outcomes affected by placental malfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare levels of oxidative stress between obese women and women of normal weight in the second trimester.&#x0D; &#x0D; Method: We assessed lipid peroxidation by measuring the thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), as well as the antioxidant defense system by measuring the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in 50 obese women (body mass index, BMI:36.60±4.95) and 51 women of normal weight (BMI:24.51±3.47).&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: Increased lipid peroxidation and SOD enzyme activity were determined in obese pregnant women when compared to women of normal weight. Also, we found a significantly positive correlation (r:0.286, p:0.0435) between BMI and TBARS level as well as a significantly negative correlation (r: -0.421, p:0.002) between TBARS level and SOD enzyme activity. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in CAT and GPx enzymes activities.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Although increased SOD enzyme activity indicates that the antioxidant defense system is activated to deal with increased production of reactive oxygen species, maternal obesity is induced by oxidative stress via increased lipid peroxidation. Hence, maternal-obesity-induced oxidative stress in the second trimester should be followed up by clinicians since it may cause oxidative damage in the placenta during pregnancy.