The Concentration of Follistatin and Activin A in Serum and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Stratification by Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Insulin Resistance, and Overweight/Obesity

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the concentrations of follistatin and activin A in the serum of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to assess their relationship with selected biochemical parameters, specifically stratifying the analysis based on tobacco smoke, insulin resistance, and abnormal weight. Methods: The research was carried out within a cohort of 88 women (60 women with and 28 without PCOS). Results: We observed significant differences (p < 0.05) in follistatin concentrations between women with PCOS stratified by homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. These differences were consistent across both smoking and non-smoking subgroups with PCOS. Similar results were observed when comparing normal-weight women with PCOS to those with overweight or obesity. Additionally, activin A concentrations were significantly increased by higher body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR values in non-smoking women with PCOS. Moreover, we identified a negative correlation (r = -0.30; p < 0.023) between cotinine levels and Anti-Müllerian hormone. Among smoking women with PCOS, we noted decreased concentrations of sex hormone-binding globulin and high-density lipoproteins, alongside increased fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and free androgen index values. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that activin A and follistatin concentrations are more strongly influenced by disruptions in glucose metabolism and BMI than by tobacco smoke exposure. The observed changes were more pronounced in follistatin than in activin A level.

Impact of Smoking and Obesity on the Selected Peptide Hormones and Metabolic Parameters in the Blood of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome-Preliminary Study

We investigated the effects of tobacco smoke exposure and abnormal body weight on selected peptide hormones and their association with metabolic and hormonal disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study group included 88 women with PCOS and 28 women without the disease. In women with PCOS, chemerin, lipocalin, and apelin concentrations were influenced by overweight and obesity status, with the highest concentrations observed in those with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0. Exposure to tobacco smoke significantly increased only lipocalin-2 concentration. The disease itself did not affect the concentrations of chemerin, lipocalin, and apelin. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between chemerin concentration and fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and triglycerides levels, while a negative correlation was observed with high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) concentration. In the smoking subgroup, chemerin concentration was positively correlated with free testosterone concentration and the free androgen index and negatively associated with sex hormone-binding globulin concentration. Our findings indicate that abnormal body weight has a stronger impact than tobacco smoke exposure on metabolic and hormonal disorders in women with PCOS, highlighting the important role of weight control in such individuals. However, smoking appears to be an additional factor that intensifies hormonal disorders associated with adipose tissue.

The Impact of Early Pregnancy and Exposure to Tobacco Smoke on Blood Antioxidant Status and Copper, Zinc, Cadmium Concentration-A Pilot Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of early pregnancy and exposure to tobacco smoke on antioxidant status and copper, zinc, and cadmium concentrations in the blood of non-smoking and smoking, as well as non-pregnant or pregnant women. The study included 213 women. More specifically, 150 women in first trimester of pregnancy and 63 non-pregnant women. Women were divided into subgroups according to exposure to tobacco smoke. Pregnancy significant influences higher copper and lower zinc concentration in the serum, whereas exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy is mainly associated with an elevation in cadmium and zinc concentration. It seems that metallothionein, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase are the important antioxidants during early pregnancy, when exposure to tobacco smoke occurs, whereas the pregnancy itself is associated with a higher concentration of metallothionein and activity of catalase. Both pregnancy in the first trimester and exposure to tobacco smoke decrease glutathione concentration. In addition, active and passive maternal smoking have a similarly negative effect on antioxidant status in the first trimester. Early pregnancy as well as exposure to tobacco smoke is associated with significant alteration in antioxidant status and copper, zinc, and cadmium concentration. Due to a small number of smoking subjects (11 cases of non-pregnant, active smokers and 14 pregnant active smokers), the obtained results should be treated as a pilot, and this should be considered for future studies.

Association between prenatal exposure to cooking oil fumes and full-term low birth weight is mediated by placental weight

OBJECTIVE

Evidence regarding the association between prenatal exposure to cooking oil fumes (COF) and full-term low birth weight (FTLBW) is still controversial, and the mechanism remains unclear. This study thus aims to explore the association of prenatal COF exposure with off-spring FT-LBW as well as the mediating role of placenta in their association.

METHODS

A case-control study enrolling 266 pregnant women delivering FTLBW newborns (cases) and 1420 delivering normal birth weight (NBW) newborns (controls) was conducted. Information on prenatal COF exposure, socio-demographics, and obstetric conditions were collected at the Women's and Children's Hospitals of Shenzhen and Foshan in Guangdong, China. Linear and hierarchical logistic regression models were undertaken to explore the associations among COF exposure, placenta and birth weight, as well as the mediation effect of placental weight.

RESULTS

After controlling for potential confounders, prenatal COF exposure was significantly associated with the higher risk of FT-LBW (OR = 1.31, 95% CI= 1.06-1.63) and the lower placental weight (ß = -0.12, 95% CI= -0.23 ~ -0.005). Compared with mothers who never cooked, those cooking sometimes (OR= 2.99, 95% CI= 1.48-6.04) or often (OR= 3.41, 95% CI= 1.40-8.34) showed a higher risk of FT-LBW, and likewise, those cooking for less than half an hour (OR= 2.08, 95% CI= 1.14-3.79) or cooking between half to an hour (OR= 2.48, 95% CI= 1.44-4.29) were also more likely to exhibit FT-LBW. Different cooking methods including pan-frying (OR= 2.24, 95% CI= 1.30-3.85) or deep-frying (OR= 1.78, 95% CI= 1.12-2.85) during pregnancy were associated with increased FT-LBW risks as well. The further mediation analysis illustrated that placental weight mediated 15.96% (95% CI: 12.81~28.80%) and 15.90% (95% CI= 14.62%~16.66%) of the associations of cooking during pregnancy and frequency of prenatal COF exposure, respectively, with FT-LBW.

Glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 polymorphisms, and their interactions with smoking on risk of low birth weight: a meta-analysis

Background: Published data regarding the association between glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms and risk of low birth weight (LBW) remains inconclusive, and data on the interactions between the two gene polymorphisms and smoking for LBW susceptibility is lacking. To clarify these associations, a meta-analysis was conducted.Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in multiple databases until 11 January 2018. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed or random effects model.Results: Thirty-eight studies from 17 articles concerning maternal and neonatal GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphism with LBW risk were included in this meta-analysis, and nine studies from five articles provided data of maternal tobacco exposure status during pregnancy. Maternal GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased LBW risk (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.45). There was a nonsignificant but positive association (OR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.97-1.46) between the maternal GSTT1 null genotype and the LBW risk in the overall analysis. There was a null association between neonatal GSTM1 or GSTT1 polymorphism and LBW risk. There were significant associations between the maternal GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotype and LBW risk (for the former, OR = 3.85, 95% CI: 1.68-8.81; for the later, OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.01-3.50) in individuals with active smoking, respectively.Conclusion: Maternal GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes, but not neonatal genotypes, are suggested to increase LBW susceptibility, and there are interactions between active smoking and these polymorphisms in the development of LBW.

The effect of passive and active exposure to tobacco smoke on lipid profile parameters and the activity of certain membrane enzymes in the blood of women in the first trimester of pregnancy

The effect of tobacco smoke on lipid peroxidation, the lipid profile and membrane-bound enzymatic activity in the first trimester of pregnancy was investigated. In the plasma of women with active exposure to tobacco smoke, we have found increased lipid peroxidation and higher total concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins in the blood, as well as a decreased concentration of high-density lipoproteins. A higher concentration of low-density lipoproteins and a lower concentration of high-density lipoproteins were also found in the plasma of passive smokers. In contrast, women who smoked before pregnancy had only a higher low-density lipoprotein concentration. In the group of active and passive smoking women, lower arylesterase and phosphotriesterase activities of paraoxonase were observed, while the lactonase activity of paraoxonase decreased only in the group of active smoking women. In women with active exposure to tobacco smoke, a higher activity level of alanine aminopeptidase and γ-glutamyltransferase in the plasma was found. It is important to monitor the lipid profile during pregnancy, especially when exposure to tobacco smoke occurs.