Dynamic evaluation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal and growth hormone axes and metabolic consequences in chronic insomnia; a case–control study

The effect of miR-23b-3p on regulating GH by targeting POU1F1 in Yanbian yellow cattle

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of miR-23b-3p on growth hormone (GH) in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle. The mRNA and protein levels of GH and miR-23b-3p target genes were measured by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot, respectively. The target relationship of miR-23b-3p was validated by double luciferase reporter gene system. The results showed that GH mRNA and protein levels in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle were significantly lower in the miR-23b-3p-mi group than in the NC group (P<0.01), while GH mRNA and protein levels were higher in the miR-23b-3p-in group than in the iNC group (P<0.05). The result of bioinformatics analysis and double luciferase reporter gene system validation proved that miR-23b-3p targeted 3'UTR of pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (POU1F1). POU1F1 mRNA and protein levels were lower miR-23b-3p-mi group than in the NC group (P<0.01), while POU1F1 mRNA and protein levels were higher in the miR-23b-3p-in group than in the iNC group (P<0.01). These results demonstrated that miR-23b-3p could regulate GH expression in pituitary cells by regulating POU1F1 gene.

Cushing Syndrome is Associated with Increased Stage N2 Sleep and Decreased SWS Partially Reversible After Treatment

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the sleep parameters of patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) at the time of diagnosis and 12-months after treatment. Thirty four newly diagnosed patients with endogenous CS (17 with ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, 17 with adrenal CS) and 23 controls with similar age were included in the study. Two polysomnography (PSG) recordings were performed; one at the time of diagnosis and the other 12 months after resolution of hypercortisolemia. Control group had only baseline PSG. Based on the PSG findings, stage N2 sleep was found to be prolonged, stage N3 and REM sleep were shortened in patients with CS. Average heart rate and mean Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score were higher in patients with CS than the control subjects. Sixteen (47.1%) patients with CS and 4 (17.4%) controls had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA; AHI ≥5). There were no significant differences in sleep parameters of patients according to the etiology of CS (adrenal vs. pituitary) patients. Following 12-months of treatment, a significant decrease in stage N2 sleep and a significant increase in stage N3 sleep were detected, but there was no change in terms of AHI. In conclusion, Cushing syndrome has disturbing effects on sleep structure and these effects are at least partially reversible after treatment. However, the increased risk of OSA was not reversed a year after treatment indicating the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of CS.

The effect of miR-93 on GH secretion in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle

Yanbian yellow cattle breeding is limited by slow growth. We previously found that the miRNA miR-93 was differentially expressed between the blood exosomes of Yanbian yellow cattle and Han Yan cattle, which differ in growth characteristics. In this experiment, we evaluated the effects of miR-93 on growth hormone (GH) secretion by pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle using qPCR, Western blot, Targetscan and RNA hybrid analysis software and Dual-Luciferase reporter gene system. The results showed that miR-93 targeted 3' UTR of GHRHR(growth hormone releasing hormone receptor); GH mRNA and protein levels in pituitary cells of Yanbian yellow cattle were significantly lower in the miR-93-mi group than in the NC control group (p < 0.01), while GH mRNA and protein levels were higher in the miR-93-in group than in the iNC control group, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05); GHRHR mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in the miR-93-mi group than in the NC control group (p < 0.01), while GHRHR protein levels were significantly higher in the miR-93-in group than in the iNC control group (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference about GHRHR mRNA level between two groups (p > 0.05). These results prove that miR-93 regulates GH secretion in pituitary cells via GHRHR.

Mediating effects of hair cortisol on the mutual association of job burnout and insomnia: A retrospective exploratory study

BACKGROUNDS

The present study was designed to clarify the mutual association of job burnout and insomnia and to detect the mediating effects of hair cortisol on that association.

METHODS

In all, 68 female employees were recruited for the study from one secondary and one tertiary hospital between October 2018 and November 2018 in Beijing. Participants completed a questionnaire for the collection of demographic data and standardized measures for burnout and insomnia. Hair sample collection and anthropometric measurements were performed at the same time.

RESULTS

Median hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was 5.89 ng/g hair (interquartile range = 2.20-10.74). And ages are between 22 and 51 years old (32.50 ± 6.13), among which 22 were below 30 years, 20 were between 30 and 35 years, and 26 were over 35 years. A majority of Pearson's coefficients were significant, with the exception of that for the correlation between personal accomplishment and HCC or depersonalization. Significant mutual correlations were shown between burnout dimensions and insomnia directly. HCC acted as a mediator in the pathway from emotional exhaustion, depersonalization to insomnia; and no significant mediating effect of HCC in the pathway from insomnia to burnout was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Job burnout may directly or indirectly (through chronically elevated cortisol) increase insomnia risk, whereas insomnia probably promotes burnout. Prospective studies involving different body systems and a larger sample size should be performed to further identify the mechanisms underlying the associations between burnout and insomnia among the working population.