Study of vitamin D3 formulation prepared by phytosolve technique and its effect on CTRP6 gene expression in PCOS model

Oral delivery of posaconazole-loaded phospholipid-based nanoformulation: Preparation and optimization using design of experiments, machine learning, and TOPSIS

Phospholipid-based nanosystems show promising potentials for oral administration of hydrophobic drugs. The study introduced a novel approach to optimize posaconazole-loaded phospholipid-based nanoformulation using the design of experiments, machine learning, and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to the Ideal Solution. These approaches were used to investigate the impact of various variables on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), particle size, and polydispersity index (PDI). The optimized formulation, with %EE of ∼ 74 %, demonstrated a particle size and PDI of 107.7 nm and 0.174, respectively. The oral pharmacokinetic profiles of the posaconazole suspension, empty nanoformulation + drug suspension, and drug-loaded nanoformulation were evaluated. The nanoformulation significantly increased maximum plasma concentration and the area under the drug plasma concentration-time curve (∼3.9- and 6.2-fold, respectively) and could be administered without regard to meals. MTT and histopathological examinations were carried out to evaluate the safety of the nanoformulation and results exhibited no significant toxicity. Lymphatic transport was found to be the main mechanism of oral delivery. Caco-2 cell studies demonstrated that the mechanism of delivery was not based on an increase in cellular uptake. Our study represents a promising strategy for the development of phospholipid-based nanoformulations as efficient and safe oral delivery systems.

Evaluation of expression of biomarkers of PLAGL1 (ZAC1), microRNA, and their non-coding RNAs in patients with endometriosis

Since the PLAGL1 (ZAC1) gene is expressed in the human endometrium. It may be involved in the etiology of endometrial disorders by its abnormal regulation and expression. This study aimed to investigate the Zac1 gene and related microRNA and LncRNA and its alterations in patients with endometriosis. Blood plasma, ectopic (EC) and eutopic (EU) endometrial samples were gathered from 30 patients with endometriosis and 30 healthy fertile women, and the Q-PCR technique was used to determine the expression level of Zac1 mRNA and microRNAs (miR-1271-5p, hsa-miR-490-3pin) and LncRNAs (TONSL-AS1 TONSL, KCNQ1OT1 KCNQ1). According to the results, the Zac1 gene and KCNQ1OT1 KCNQ1, TONSL-AS1 TONSL LncRNA expression were significantly decreased in the endometriosis group versus the control group (P < 0.05). MiR-1271-5p and hsa-miR-490-3pin microRNA expression were significantly raised in the endometriosis group as opposed to the control group (P < 0.05). In summary, this research for the first time revealed that identifying Zac1 expression provides us with new indicators for evaluating endometriosis.

Effects of myo-inositol plus folic acid on ovarian morphology and oocyte quality in PCOS mouse model

Although the role of myo-inositol (MYO) in promoting the oocyte quality of PCOS patients has been documented in human studies; the cellular effects of this supplement on oocytes have not been directly examined due to ethical limitations. In the first phase of this study, MYO dosimetry was carried out simultaneously with the PCOS model development. An effective dose was obtained following the assessment of fasting insulin and testosterone levels using ELISA and ovarian morphology appraisal by histopathology. In the second phase, following the continuous administration of the effective dose of MYO and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cellular evaluation was performed. The quality of oocytes from superovulation was analyzed by examining maturity and normal morphology percentage using a stereomicroscope, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels using fluorometry, and ATP count evaluation using ELISA. The results revealed that, among the four different MYO concentrations, the 0.36 mg/g dose compared with the DHEA group reduced testosterone levels and large atretic antral follicles (LAtAnF) diameter. This dose also increased the corpus luteum count and the granulosa:theca (G/T)layer thickness ratio in antral follicles. Furthermore, this dose increased mature oocytes and normal morphology percentage, ATP count, and GSH levels; however, it decreased ROS levels in mature oocytes. Our findings provide the grounds for further cellular and molecular studies on the PCOS mouse model, suggesting that the improvement in mitochondrial function and its antioxidant properties is probably one of the mechanisms by which MYO increases oocyte quality.

Cutting-edge techniques provide insights regarding repeated implantation failure patients

RESEARCH QUESTION

Can time-lapse parameters and the transcriptional profile of cumulus cells be used to achieve a more stringent and non-invasive method of embryo assessment and to identify possible factors affecting the embryo's ability to implant in repeated implantation failure (RIF) patients?

DESIGN

A total of 190 embryos from 18 oocyte donors and 145 embryos from 15 RIF patients were evaluated based on time-lapse parameters. Three morphokinetic parameters including T5 (time to reach five cells), T3 (time to reach three cells) and CC2 (time to two to three cells) were recorded for all embryos. Embryos that had all three parameters in the normal range were graded as high quality and comparison between these parameters were compared in high-quality embryos between two groups. The transcriptional profile of cumulus cells related to high-quality embryos of both groups were analysed by RNA sequencing and compared. Finally, the possible relationship between differentially expressed genes and time-lapse parameters was examined.

RESULTS

T5 was significantly lower in the RIF group than the donor group (P = 0.011). The cumulus cell transcriptome analysis showed 193 genes were down-regulated and 222 genes up-regulated. The mammalian target of rapamycin and the transforming growth factor beta pathways were significantly increased in the RIF group compared to the donor group (P = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively). Vitamin B12 and fatty acid beta-oxidation pathways were also significantly reduced in the RIF group compared to the donor group (P = 0.006 and 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in the transcriptomic profiles of cumulus cells and some morphokinetic parameters may be one of the main factors contributing to unexplained RIF.