Identification of NF-κB1 and NF-κBIΑ Polymorphisms Using PCR–RFLP Assay in a Turkish Population

A polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) assay was used in a Turkish population to determine the frequency of polymorphisms of the nuclear factor-kappa (NF-κB1) and NF-κBIA genes, which have been shown to be related to several inflammatory diseases and cancer pathogenesis. Total genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood samples taken from 565 healthy volunteers living in Ayd?n Province. The genomic regions in question were amplified by PCR, and the polymorphisms in these regions were detected by a PCR–RFLP assay. The frequencies were 10.3% for the NF-κB1 ?94ins/delATTG del/del genotype, 49.1% for del/ins, and 40.6% for ins/ins. The genotype frequencies of the NF-κBIA 3′UTR A → G genotypes were A/A 19.2%, A/G 42.3%, and G/G 38.5%. Distribution of genotype frequencies was tested by Hardy–Weinberg; the NF-κB1 gene was in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (χ² = 3.402, P > 0.05), the NF-κBIA gene was not (χ² = 8.293, P < 0.05).     

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs interact with testosterone glucuronidation

Testosterone and epitestosterone are secreted mainly as glucuronide metabolites and the urinary ratio of testosterone glucuronide to epitestosterone glucuronide, often called T/E, serves as a marker for possible anabolic steroids abuse by athletes. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 2B17 is the most important catalyst of testosterone glucuronidation. The T/E might be affected by drugs that interact with UGT2B17, or other enzymes that contribute to testosterone glucuronidation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used by sportsmen and we have examined the effect of two NSAIDs, diclofenac and ibuprofen, on testosterone and epitestosterone glucuronidation in human liver microsomes. In parallel, we have studied the inhibitory effect of these NSAIDs on recombinant UGT2B17 and UGT2B15, as well as other human hepatic UGTs that revealed low but detectable testosterone glucuronidation activity, namely UGT1A3, UGT1A4, UGT1A9 and UGT2B7. Both diclofenac and ibuprofen inhibited testosterone glucuronidation in microsomes, as well as UGT2B15 and UGT2B17. Interestingly, UGT2B15 was more sensitive than UGT2B17 to the two drugs, particularly to ibuprofen. Human liver microsomes lacking functional UGT2B17 exhibited significantly higher sensitivity to ibuprofen, suggesting that UGT2B15 plays a major role in the residual testosterone glucuronidation activity in UGT2B17-deficient individuals. Nonetheless, a minor contribution of other UGTs, particularly UGT1A9, to testosterone glucuronidation in such individuals cannot be ruled out at this stage. The epitestosterone glucuronidation activity of human liver microsomes was largely insensitive to ibuprofen and diclofenac. Taken together, the results highlight potential interactions between NSAIDs and androgen glucuronidation with possible implications for the validity of doping tests.     

Dietary green and white teas suppress UDP-glucuronosyltransferase UGT2B17 mediated testosterone glucuronidation

The anabolic steroid testosterone can be used by athletes to enhance athletic performance and muscle growth. UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT2B17) is the key enzyme involved in the glucuronidation of testosterone to testosterone glucuronide, which also serves as a marker for the testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) ratio used to detect testosterone abuse in sport. Inhibitors of testosterone glucuronidation could have an impact on circulating testosterone levels, thus aiding performance, as well as potentially affecting the urinary T/E ratio and therefore masking testosterone abuse. Previous reports have revealed that non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, diclofenac and ibuprofen, inhibit the UGT2B17 enzyme. The aim of this study is to analyse dietary tea samples for inhibition of testosterone glucuronidation and, where inhibition is present, to identify the active compounds. Analysis of testosterone glucuronidation was conducted by performing UGT2B17 assays with detection of un-glucuronidated testosterone using high performance liquid chromatography. The results from this study showed that testosterone glucuronidation was inhibited by the green and white tea extracts, along with specific catechin compounds, notably: epicatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and catechin gallate. The IC50 inhibition value for EGCG was determined, using a Dixon plot, to be 64 μM, equalling the most active NSAID inhibitor diclofenac. Thus, common foodstuffs and their constituents, for the first time, have been identified as inhibitors of a key enzyme involved in testosterone glucuronidation. Whilst these common compounds are not substrates of the UGT2B17 enzyme, we showed that they inhibit testosterone glucuronidation which may have implications on current doping control in sport.     

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A7 polymorphisms are associated with liver cirrhosis

Variations in the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A7 gene have been found to be related to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since the pathogenesis of liver cirrhosis is not dissimilar to that of HCC, we hypothesized that UGT1A7 genetic polymorphisms may be associated with liver cirrhosis. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was utilized to determine UGT for 1A7 genotypes for the 159 patients with liver cirrhosis and 263 gender/age matched controls. Simple logistic regression analysis revealed that significant risk factors for liver cirrhosis were (1) hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, (2) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, (3) HBV infection plus HCV infection and (4) low-activity UGT1A7 genotypes. The results of further multivariate logistic regression confirmed these associations. Interaction of low-activity UGT1A7 genotypes and HBV (or HCV) infection produced an additive effect upon the risk for the development of liver cirrhosis [observed odds ratio (OR) (54.59) greater than the expected OR (18.05)]. UGT1A7 low/low genotype was also related to advanced liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh classes C and/or B) (OR = 7.50, P = 0.009). This study demonstrates the novel findings that carriage of low-activity UGT1A7 genotypes represents a risk factor for the development and functional severity of liver cirrhosis.     

Genome-wide copy-number-variation study identified a susceptibility gene, UGT2B17, for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a highly heritable disease, is characterized mainly by low bone-mineral density (BMD), poor bone geometry, and/or osteoporotic fractures (OF). Copy-number variation (CNV) has been shown to be associated with complex human diseases. The contribution of CNV to osteoporosis has not been determined yet. We conducted case-control genome-wide CNV analyses, using the Affymetrix 500K Array Set, in 700 elderly Chinese individuals comprising 350 cases with homogeneous hip OF and 350 matched controls. We constructed a genomic map containing 727 CNV regions in Chinese individuals. We found that CNV 4q13.2 was strongly associated with OF (p = 2.0 × 10⁻⁴, Bonferroni-corrected p = 0.02, odds ratio = 1.73). Validation experiments using PCR and electrophoresis, as well as real-time PCR, further identified a deletion variant of UGT2B17 in CNV 4q13.2. Importantly, the association between CNV of UGT2B17 and OF was successfully replicated in an independent Chinese sample containing 399 cases with hip OF and 400 controls. We further examined this CNV's relevance to major risk factors for OF (i.e., hip BMD and femoral-neck bone geometry) in both Chinese (689 subjects) and white (1000 subjects) samples and found consistently significant results (p = 5.0 × 10⁻⁴ −0.021). Because UGT2B17 encodes an enzyme catabolizing steroid hormones, we measured the concentrations of serum testosterone and estradiol for 236 young Chinese males and assessed their UGT2B17 copy number. Subjects without UGT2B17 had significantly higher concentrations of testosterone and estradiol. Our findings suggest the important contribution of CNV of UGT2B17 to the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.     

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B17 genotype and the risk of lung cancer among Austrian Caucasians

Background: The enzyme uridine diphospho glucuronosyltansferase 2B17 (UGT2B17) glucuronidates several endogenous and exogenous compounds, including carcinogens from tobacco smoke like 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanl (NNAL). UGT2B17 shows a remarkable copy number variation (CNV) and an association between deletion genotype and increased risk of lung adenocarcinoma in women has been previously reported. Methods: We investigated the UGT2B17 CNV by PCR in 453 Austrian lung cancer patients and in 449 healthy donors and analyzed the impact on lung cancer susceptibility and outcome. Results: Copy numbers of UGT2B17 were 44.4% (+/+), 42.2% (+/?) and 13.5% (?/?) in lung cancer patients and 43.0% (+/+), 46.3% (+/?) and 10.7% (?/?) among healthy donors. The null genotype was not significantly more frequent among women with adenocarcinoma compared to healthy women (p = 0.59). There was no association with overall survival (p = 0.622) and no significant sex-associated (p = 0.423) or histology-related impact on development of lung cancer. Conclusion: UGT2B17 deletion genotype was not associated with a significant risk for lung cancer development or outcome in our Central European patient cohort. Our study indicates that UGT2B17 is not a crucial factor in lung carcinogenesis among Caucasians and shows the importance of investigating such markers in large cohorts from different populations.     

Variation in Trans-3′-Hydroxycotinine Glucuronidation Does Not Alter the Nicotine Metabolite Ratio or Nicotine Intake

Background

CYP2A6 metabolizes nicotine to its primary metabolite cotinine and also mediates the metabolism of cotinine to trans-3′-hydroxycotinine (3HC). The ratio of 3HC to cotinine (the “nicotine metabolite ratio”, NMR) is an in vivo marker for the rate of CYP2A6 mediated nicotine metabolism, and total nicotine clearance, and has been associated with differences in numerous smoking behaviors. The clearance of 3HC, which affects the NMR, occurs via renal excretion and metabolism by UGT2B17, and possibly UGT2B10, to 3HC-glucuronide. We investigated whether slower 3HC glucuronidation alters NMR, altering its ability to predict CYP2A6 activity and reducing its clinical utility.

Methods

Plasma NMR, three urinary NMRs, three urinary 3HC glucuronidation phenotypes and total nicotine equivalents were examined in 540 African American smokers. The UGT2B17 gene deletion and UGT2B10*2 were genotyped.

Results

The UGT2B17 gene deletion, but not UGT2B10*2 genotype, was associated with slower 3HC glucuronidation (indicated by three 3HC-glucuronidation phenotypes), indicating its role in this glucuronidation pathway. However, neither lower rates of 3HC glucuronidation, nor the presence of a UGT2B17 and UGT2B10 reduced function allele, altered plasma or urinary NMRs or levels of smoking.

Conclusions

Variation in 3HC glucuronidation activity, including these caused by UGT2B17 gene deletions, did not significantly alter NMR and is therefore unlikely to affect the clinical utility of NMR in smoking behavior and cessation studies. This study demonstrates that NMR is not altered by differences in the rate of 3HC glucuronidation, providing further support that NMR is a reliable indicator of CYP2A6 mediated nicotine metabolism.     

Characterization of Arabidopsis sterol glycosyltransferase TTG15/UGT80B1 role during freeze and heat stress

Sterol glycosyltransferases regulate the properties of sterols by catalyzing the transfer of carbohydrate molecules to the sterol moiety for the synthesis of steryl glycosides and acyl steryl glycosides. We have analyzed the functional role of TTG15/UGT80B1 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana in freeze/thaw and heat shock stress using T-DNA insertional sgt knockout mutants. Quantitative study of spatial as well as temporal gene expression showed tissue-specific and dynamic expression patterns throughout the growth stages. Comparative responses of Col-0, TTG15/UGT80B1 knockout mutant and p35S:TTG15/UGT80B1 restored lines were analyzed under heat and freeze stress conditions. Heat tolerance was determined by survival of plants at 42°C for 3 h, MDA analysis and chlorophyll fluorescence image (CFI) analysis. Freezing tolerance was determined by survival of the plants at -1°C temperature in non-acclimatized (NA) and cold acclimatized (CA) conditions and also by CFI analysis, which revealed that, p35S:TTG15/UGT80B1 restored plants were more adapted to freeze stress than TTG15/UGT80B1 knockout mutant under CA condition. HPLC analysis of the plants showed reduced sterol glycoside in mutant seedlings as compared to other genotypes. Following CA condition, both β-sitosterol and sitosterol glycoside quantity was more in Col-0 and p35S:TTG15/UGT80B1 restored lines, whereas it was significantly less in TTG15/UGT80B1 knockout mutants. From these results, it may be concluded that due to low content of free sterols and sterol glycosides, the physiology of mutant plants was more affected during both, the chilling and heat stress.     

Prognostic Significance of ESR1 Amplification and ESR1 PvuII,CYP2C19*2, UGT2B15*2 Polymorphisms in Breast Cancer Patients

Introduction

Amplification of the ESR1 gene, coding for estrogen receptor alpha, was shown to predict responsiveness to tamoxifen, however its prognostic impact in breast cancer patients has not been thoroughly investigated. Other factors that could contribute to responsiveness to tamoxifen treatment are polymorphisms in ESR1 gene and genes involved in tamoxifen metabolism.The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic role of ESR1 gene dosage in a consecutive group of breast cancer patients and to correlate this feature with clinico-pathological factors. Additionally, ESR1 PvuII, CYP2C19*2 and UGT2B15*2 polymorphisms were analyzed in the tamoxifen-treated subgroup of patients.

Materials and Methods

Primary tumor samples from 281 stage I-III consecutive breast cancer patients were analyzed for ESR1 gene dosage using real-time PCR with locked nucleic acids hydrolysis probes. In the tamoxifen-treated subgroup of patients, ESR1 PvuII, CYP2C19*2 and UGT2B15*2 polymorphism in leukocytes genomic DNA were analyzed. Results were correlated with clinico-pathological factors and with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

ESR1 amplification (with a cut-off level of 2.0) was found in 12% of the entire group of breast cancer patients, and in 18% of the ER-negative subgroup. This feature was associated with decreased DFS both in the entire group (P=0.007) and in the ER-negative subgroup (P=0.03), but not in the tamoxifen-treated patients.Patients with ESR1 PvuII wt/wt genotype and at least one UGT2B15 wt allele had a worse DFS (P=0.03) and showed a trend towards decreased Os (P=0.08) in comparison to patients with ESR1 PvuII wt/vt or vt/vt genotype and UGT2B15 *2/*2 genotype.

Conclusions

ESR1 amplification can occur in ER-negative tumors and may carry poor prognosis. In the tamoxifen-treated subgroup, poor prognosis was related to the combined presence of ESR1 PvuII wt/wt and UGT2B15wt/wt or wt/*2 genotype.     

Determination of major UDP-glucuronosyltransferase enzymes and their genotypes responsible for 20-HETE glucuronidation

The compound 20-HETE is involved in numerous physiological functions, including blood pressure and platelet aggregation. Glucuronidation of 20-HETE by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) is thought to be a primary pathway of 20-HETE elimination in humans. The present study identified major UGT enzymes responsible for 20-HETE glucuronidation and investigated their genetic influence on the glucuronidation reaction using human livers (n = 44). Twelve recombinant UGTs were screened to identify major contributors to 20-HETE glucuronidation. Based on these results, UGT2B7, UGT1A9, and UGT1A3 exhibited as major contributors to 20-HETE glucuronidation. The K_m values of 20-HETE glucuronidation by UGT1A3, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 were 78.4, 22.2, and 14.8 μM, respectively, while V_max values were 1.33, 1.78, and 1.62 nmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Protein expression levels and genetic variants of UGT1A3, UGT1A9, and UGT2B7 were analyzed in human livers using Western blotting and genotyping, respectively. Glucuronidation of 20-HETE was significantly correlated with the protein levels of UGT2B7 (r² = 0.33, P < 0.001) and UGT1A9 (r² = 0.31, P < 0.001), but not UGT1A3 (r² = 0.02, P > 0.05). A correlation between genotype and 20-HETE glucuronidation revealed that UGT2B7 802C>T, UGT1A9 −118T₉>T₁₀, and UGT1A9 1399T>C significantly altered 20-HETE glucuronide formation (P < 0.05–0.001). Increased levels of 20-HETE comprise a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and the present data may increase our understanding of 20-HETE metabolism and cardiovascular complications.     

Genetic Diversity of Echinococcus granulosus in Center of Iran

Hydatid cyst caused by Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important parasitic diseases around the world and many countries in Asia, including Iran, are involved with this infection. This disease can cause high mortality in humans as well as economic losses in livestock. To date, several molecular methods have been used to determine the genetic diversity of E. granulosus. So far, identification of E. granulosus using real-time PCR fluorescence-based quantitative assays has not been studied worldwide, also in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of E. granulosus from center of Iran using real-time PCR method. A total of 71 hydatid cysts were collected from infected sheep, goat, and cattle slaughtered in Isfahan, Iran during 2013. DNA was extracted from protoscolices and/or germinal layers from each individual cyst and used as template to amplify the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) (420 bp). Five cattle isolates out of 71 isolates were sterile and excluded from further investigation. Overall, of 66 isolates, partial sequences of the cox1 gene of E. granulosus indicated the presence of genotypes G1 in 49 isolates (74.2%), G3 in 15 isolates (22.7%), and G6 in 2 isolates (3.0%) in infected intermediate hosts. Sixteen sequences of G1 genotype had microgenetic variants, and they were compared to the original sequence of cox1. However, isolates identified as G3 and G6 genotypes were completely consistent with original sequences. G1 genotype in livestock was the dominant genotype in Isfahan region, Iran.     

Prostate cancer with variants in CYP17 and UGT2B17 genes: a meta-analysis

Both CYP17 and UGT2B17 are suggested to be potential risk factors of prostate cancer (PCa). To date, many studies have evaluated the relationship between CYP17 T-34C and UGT2B17 Del polymorphisms and Prostate cancer with conflicting results. Here, we performed comprehensive meta-analyses of over 25 studies, including results from about 17,000 subjects on the association of CYP17 T-34C and UGT2B17 Del polymorphisms with Prostate cancer. Overall, no significant associations between CYP17 T-34C polymorphism and Prostate cancer risk were found for T versus C (P=0.63), TT versus CC (P=0.52), TT+TC versus CC (P=0.40) or TT versus TC+CC (P=0.98), though there was a marginally significant association with the UGT2B17 Del polymorphism under Del/Del versus Ins/Ins +Ins/Del (P=0.05). In an analysis of various subgroups, there were no substantially significant associations with the CYP17 T-34C polymorphism; while there was a significant association for the UGT2B17 Del/Del genotype in a subgroup of men-based controls (P < 0.0001). The current meta-analysis results suggest that the CYP17 T-34C polymorphism may not be associated with Prostate cancer, while the UGT2B17 Del polymorphism may significantly contribute to prostate cancer susceptibility in men. These findings also support the idea that CYP17 has no significant effects on androgen levels, while UGT2B17 does.     

中国美利奴羊H-FABP基因多态性及其与部分肉质性状的相关性

利用聚合酶链式反应-单链构象多态（PCR-SSCP）技术检测中国美利奴羊（Ovis aries var. Merino）心型脂肪酸结合蛋白基因（H-FABP）外显子2的单核苷酸多态性（SNPs）和遗传多态性,分析其与肌内脂肪（IMF）含量、肌纤维直径和肌纤维密度的相互关系,为该品种绵羊的分子标记辅助选择提供理论依据。结果显示,H-FABP基因外显子2有AA、AB和BB 3种基因型,AA型和BB型在778位均发生了C缺失,939位均发生了A→G转换,BB型还在789位发生了T→C转换,该突变导致所编码氨基酸发生了缬氨酸→丙氨酸的替换;BB型为IMF的优势基因型,与AB型相比差异显著（P<0.05）,与AA型相比差异极显著（P<0.01）;BB型对肌纤维直径存在负相关。结果提示,中国美利奴羊H-FABP基因外显子2具有多态性,该基因可能是中国美利奴羊肉质性状的主效基因,或者与控制肉质性状的主效基因相连锁。     

Association of IL-17A and IL-17F single nucleotide polymorphisms with susceptibility to osteoarthritis in a Korean population

The damage incurred in osteoarthritis (OA) is mediated by a variety of cytokines, growth factors and inflammatory mediators. The importance of the interleukin-17 (IL-17) family in inflammatory and autoimmune disease is becoming increasingly apparent. Microsatellite association mapping reveals a primary osteoarthritis susceptibility locus on chromosome 6p12.3-q13. IL-17A and IL-17F genes that resided on chromosome 6p12.3-q13 are believed to play an important role in the primary OA susceptibility. We investigated the allele and genotype of IL-17A G-197A and IL-17F T7488C in 302 OA patients and 300 healthy subjects as controls. We employed a PCR-SSCP assay to identify the genotypes IL-17A G-197A and IL-17F T7488C. For IL-17A G-197A, there were significant differences in frequencies of genotype and allele of IL-17A G-197A between OA patients and controls (both p < 0.0001). For IL-17F T7488C, there were no significant differences in the allele frequency and genotype distribution for IL-17F T7488C between OA patients and controls (p = 0.938 and p = 0.1735, respectively). In conclusion, current study showed that polymorphism of IL-17A G-197A may be closely associated with susceptibility to the development of OA in the Korean population. However, there was no relationship between IL-17F T7488C polymorphism and OA susceptibility.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: Genetic diversity influences the profile of immunoglobulins during experimental infection

The clonal evolution model postulated for Trypanosoma cruzi predicts a correlation between the phylogenetic divergence of T. cruzi clonal genotypes and their biological properties. In the present study, the linkage between phylogenetic divergence of the parasite and IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b response has been evaluated during the acute and chronic phases of the experimental infection. Eight laboratory-cloned stocks representative of this phylogenetic diversity and including the lineages T. cruzi I (genotypes 19 and 20), T. cruzi II (genotype 32) and T. cruzi (genotype 39) have been studied. The results showed that the pattern of humoral immune response was correlated with T. cruzi genotype, and that stocks included in genotype 20 were responsible for the high IgG response in the acute and chronic phases. Moreover, T. cruzi I lineage was more efficient in over-expressing all subclasses of specific anti-parasite IgG than either T. cruzi II or T. cruzi lineages. Curiously, the alteration in the pattern of antibodies induced by Benznidazole treatment was related to the phase of the infection but not to the genotype of the parasite. The data suggest that genotypes of T. cruzi are able to drive levels/subclasses of specific IgG, hence giving rise to further concerns about the sensitivity of serological assays in the diagnosis of human Chagas disease.     

Compatibility among entomopathogenic hyphocreales and two beneficial insects used to control Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Hemiptera: Aleurodidae) in Mediterranean greenhouses

The effect of the combined use of Encarsia formosa or Macrolophus caliginosus and one of three marketed mycoinsecticides, Mycotal® (Leucanicillium muscarium-based), Naturalis-L™ (Beauveria bassiana-based) and PreFeRal® (Isaria fumosorosea-based), on the control of the whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, was studied under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. The results of both types of tests, the bioassays and the greenhouse trials, for all combinations of E. Formosa with each of the three mycoinsecticides showed that the total mortality of larval populations of T. vaporariorum was not affected. The mortality of T. vaporariorum larvae treated in the second instar revealed the capacity for both B. bassiana- and L. muscarium-based formulations and E. formosa to kill the host either separately or in association. Because of its higher pathogenic activity (under our test conditions), L. muscarium provoked a large proportion of mycoses in larvae exposed to parasitization. In contrast, the efficacy of parasitization was higher in larvae treated with B. bassiana and exposed to E. formosa because of a lower pathogenic activity of the fungus. Bioassays carried out with third-instar larvae of T. vaporariorum showed a low susceptibility to both tested fungi. Consequently, mortalities recorded in larvae subjected to the combined treatments by consecutive exposures or at 2-4 days post-parasitization were mainly caused by the development of the parasitoid. Greenhouse trials showed that fungus-induced mortality of T. vaporariorum in plants treated with L. muscarium, I. fumosorosea, and B. Bassiana was significant compare to control. L. muscarium, B. bassiana and I. fumosorosea killed young whitefly larvae and limited parasitization to 10% or less. Second-instar larvae of M. caliginosus were not susceptible to L. muscarium and B. bassiana formulations with any mode of contamination: direct spraying of larvae, spraying on the foliar substrate or by contaminated T. vaporariorum prey. In greenhouse trials, M. caliginosus populations treated with fungi were not significantly affected compared to controls.     

Testosterone treatment increases androgen receptor and aromatase gene expression in myotubes from patients with PCOS and controls,but does not induce insulin resistance

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Skeletal muscle is the major site of insulin mediated glucose disposal and the skeletal muscle tissue is capable to synthesize, convert and degrade androgens. Insulin sensitivity is conserved in cultured myotubes (in vitro) from patients with PCOS, but the effect of testosterone on this insulin sensitivity is unknown. We investigated the effect of 7 days testosterone treatment (100 nmol/l) on glucose transport and gene expression levels of hormone receptors and enzymes involved in the synthesis and conversion of testosterone (HSD17B1, HSD17B2, CYP19A1, SRD5A1-2, AR, ER-α, HSD17B6 and AKR1-3) in myotubes from ten patients with PCOS and ten matched controls.