Estrogen receptor 1 gene polymorphisms are associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women in China

Study on the mechanism of Baihe Dihuang decoction in treating menopausal syndrome based on network pharmacology

Menopausal syndrome (MS) refers to a series of symptoms with autonomic nervous system dysfunction caused by decreased sex hormones before and after menopause. Baihe Dihuang (BHDH) decoction positively affects MS, but its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism through network pharmacology. The components of the BHDH Decoction were found through HERB, while corresponding targets were obtained from the HERB, Drug Bank, NPASS, Targetnet, and Swisstarget databases. The MS targets were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM. STRING was used to construct the protein-protein interaction networks. OmicShare tools were used for Gene Ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analyses. Finally, Autodock Vina 1.1.2 software (https://vina.scripps.edu/downloads/) was used for molecular alignment to verify whether the main active ingredients and key targets had good binding activity. We screened out 27 active ingredients and 251 effective targets of BHDH Decoction, 3405 MS-related targets, and 133 intersection targets between BHDH Decoction and MS. Protein-protein interaction network identified tumor protein P53, Serine/threonine-protein kinase AKT, epidermal growth factor receptor, Estrogen Receptor 1, and jun proto-oncogene as critical targets. Gene ontology analysis showed that these targets were mainly involved in the cellular response to chemical stimulus, response to oxygen-containing compound, cellular response to endogenous stimulus, response to an organic substance, and response to chemical, etc. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways were mainly enriched in endocrine resistance, pathways in cancer, and the ErbB signaling pathway, etc. Molecular docking results showed that emodin and stigmasterol are strongly associated with Serine/threonine-protein kinase AKT, Estrogen Receptor 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, sarcoma gene, and tumor protein P53. This study preliminarily revealed the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel mechanism of BHDH Decoction in treating MS. It provides a reference for in vitro and in vivo research and clinical application of BHDH Decoction in the treatment of MS.

Metabolic Syndrome, BMI, and Polymorphism of Estrogen Receptor-α in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Polish Women

The study aimed to investigate the association between the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) polymorphism and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity, as well as the coexistence of MetS and obesity, in peri- and post-menopausal Polish women. The study group consisted of 202 peri-menopausal and 202 post-menopausal women. ERα polymorphism: Xba I and Pvu II, MetS, BMI, and serum estrogen concentration were analyzed. MetS was found in 29% of the peri-menopausal women and in 21% of the post-menopausal women. BMI did not significantly differ between the peri- and post-menopausal women (≈42% were normal weight, ≈40% were overweight, and ≈18% were obese), (p = 0.82). Serum estrogen concentration in the peri-menopausal women was 91 ± 75 pg/mL, while that in the post-menopausal women was 17 ± 9. pg/mL, on average. Peri-menopausal women with AA and TT genotypes of the ERα polymorphism have a lower risk of obesity and MetS and the co-existence of obesity and MetS, whereas those women with the G or C allele have a higher risk of those health problems.

Epigenetic Regulation of Estrogen Receptor Genes' Expressions in Adipose Tissue in the Course of Obesity

Estrogen affects adipose tissue function. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing changes in the transcriptional activity of estrogen receptor (ER) α and β genes (ESR1 and ESR2, respectively) in the adipose tissues of obese individuals before and after weight loss and verifying whether epigenetic mechanisms were involved in this phenomenon. ESR1 and ESR2 mRNA and miRNA levels were evaluated using real-time PCR in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 78 obese (BMI > 40 kg/m2) and 31 normal-weight (BMI = 20−24.9 kg/m2) individuals and in 19 SAT samples from post-bariatric patients. ESR1 and ESR2 methylation status was studied using the methylation-sensitive digestion/real-time PCR method. Obesity was associated with a decrease in mRNA levels of both ERs in SAT (p < 0.0001) and ESR2 in VAT (p = 0.0001), while weight loss increased ESR transcription (p < 0.0001). Methylation levels of ESR1 and ESR2 promoters were unaffected. However, ESR1 mRNA in the AT of obese subjects correlated negatively with the expression of hsa-miR-18a-5p (rs = −0.444), hsa-miR-18b-5p (rs = −0.329), hsa-miR-22-3p (rs = −0.413), hsa-miR-100-5p (rs = −0.371), and hsa-miR-143-5p (rs = −0.289), while the expression of ESR2 in VAT correlated negatively with hsa-miR-576-5p (rs = −0.353) and in SAT with hsa-miR-495-3p (rs = −0.308). In conclusion, obesity-associated downregulation of ER mRNA levels in adipose tissue may result from miRNA interference.

Bisphenol A, S, and F exposure, ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS genetic polymorphisms, and the risk of hypertension

While bisphenol A (BPA) exposure was inconsistently associated with hypertension risk, little is known about whether its alternatives bisphenol S and F (BPS and BPF) have similar hypertensive effects. Furthermore, epidemiologic studies on the genetic susceptibility to the hypertensive effects of bisphenols are scarce. We conducted a case-control study in 439 pairs of hypertension cases and matched controls. Urinary bisphenols concentrations were measured to characterize the internal exposure levels. The genotyping of ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS was performed by a multiplex fluorescent polymerase chain reaction. BPA exposure was positively associated with hypertension risk. Carriers of rs2234693 C allele in ESR1 were associated with increased hypertension risk. Significant associations of BPA exposure with increased hypertension risk were suggested in individuals with the major allele of rs1256049 in ESR2, rs769214 in CAT, and rs1799983 in eNOS. Besides, rs4755374 in CAT might modify the association of BPA exposure with hypertension risk. Individuals with specific genotypes in ESR1/2, CAT, and eNOS might be more susceptible to the hypertensive effects of BPA.

Landscape of allele-specific transcription factor binding in the human genome

Sequence variants in gene regulatory regions alter gene expression and contribute to phenotypes of individual cells and the whole organism, including disease susceptibility and progression. Single-nucleotide variants in enhancers or promoters may affect gene transcription by altering transcription factor binding sites. Differential transcription factor binding in heterozygous genomic loci provides a natural source of information on such regulatory variants. We present a novel approach to call the allele-specific transcription factor binding events at single-nucleotide variants in ChIP-Seq data, taking into account the joint contribution of aneuploidy and local copy number variation, that is estimated directly from variant calls. We have conducted a meta-analysis of more than 7 thousand ChIP-Seq experiments and assembled the database of allele-specific binding events listing more than half a million entries at nearly 270 thousand single-nucleotide polymorphisms for several hundred human transcription factors and cell types. These polymorphisms are enriched for associations with phenotypes of medical relevance and often overlap eQTLs, making candidates for causality by linking variants with molecular mechanisms. Specifically, there is a special class of switching sites, where different transcription factors preferably bind alternative alleles, thus revealing allele-specific rewiring of molecular circuitry.

Co-expression of drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 enzymes and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in human liver: racial differences and the regulatory role of ESR1

OBJECTIVES

The function and expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) drug metabolizing enzymes is highly variable, greatly affecting drug exposure, and therapeutic outcomes. The expression of these enzymes is known to be controlled by many transcription factors (TFs), including ligand-free estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1, in the absence of estrogen). However, the relationship between the expression of ESR1, other TFs, and CYP enzymes in human liver is still unclear.

METHODS

Using real-time PCR, we quantified the mRNA levels of 12 CYP enzymes and nine TFs in 246 human liver samples from European American (EA, n = 133) and African American (AA, n = 113) donors.

RESULTS

Our results showed higher expression levels of ESR1 and six CYP enzymes in EA than in AA. Partial least square regression analysis showed that ESR1 is the top-ranking TF associating with the expression of eight CYP enzymes, six of which showed racial difference in expression. Conversely, four CYP enzymes without racial difference in expression did not have ESR1 as a top-ranking TF. These results indicate that ESR1 may contribute to variation in CYP enzyme expression between these two ancestral backgrounds.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are consistent with our previous study showing ESR1 as a master regulator for the expression of several CYP enzymes. Therefore, factors affecting ESR1 expression may have broad influence on drug metabolism through altered expression of CYP enzymes.

The Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome and the Valid Blood Pressure Cutoff Value for Predicting Metabolic Syndrome Within the Normal Blood Pressure Range in the Population Over 40 Years Old in Guiyang, China

PURPOSE

The study was conducted to investigate metabolic syndrome (MS) incidence within the normal blood pressure (BP) range in a population over 40 years old in an urban area of Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China, and to identify a valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from this study are based on the Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION) study. In total, 2935 subjects in the normal BP range and without MS (795 males, 2140 females) aged 40-80 years were included in this study. Follow-up subjects were classified by baseline BP and grouped by age. After the 3-year follow-up, the MS incidence and valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS were calculated for subjects within the normal BP range.

RESULTS

After the 3-year follow-up study, the crude and standardized MS incidences in the cohort were 19.83% and 16.89% for follow-up subjects, respectively, with incidences of 10.94% and 10.50% for males and 23.13% and 20.66% for females. The incidence of MS in normotensive subjects (15.53%) was lower than that in subjects with high-normal BP (29.08%). After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, and drinking, the risk of having MS in the high-normal BP group was 1.823-fold [HR 1.823 95% CI (1.538-2.162)] higher than that in the normotensive group. The ROC curve showed that the BP cutoff values were more than 117/74 mmHg in males and 112/74 mmHg in females.

CONCLUSION

When BP was within the normal range, the incidence of MS in participants was very high. The MS incidence was higher among high-normal BP subjects than among normotensive subjects, as was the risk of having MS. The valid BP cutoff value for predicting MS in the population was 117/74 mmHg in males and 112/74 mmHg in females. Currently, epidemiological investigations are needed to determine whether a lower BP cutoff value is needed in diagnosing MS.

Association of Serum Galectin-3-Binding Protein and Metabolic Syndrome in a Chinese Adult Population

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3-binding protein (GAL-3BP) is a ubiquitous and multifunctional secreted glycoprotein, which functions in innate immunity and has been highlighted as a potential mediator of adipose inflammation in obesity. In this study, we aimed to identify whether GAL-3BP is a novel biological marker for metabolic syndrome (MetS).

METHODS

The biochemical and anthropometric variables of the 570 participants in this study were evaluated using standard procedures. Their serum GAL-3BP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the association between the glycoprotein and MetS was analyzed using multiple logistic regression analyses. Moreover, an experimental MetS model was established. The expression of GAL-3BP in serum and adipose tissue was measured using ELISA and western blotting. Lipid accumulation was determined with the use of immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent staining.

RESULTS

The serum GAL-3BP level was found to be positively associated with MetS. The logistic regression analyses demonstrated that participants expressing the upper levels of GAL-3BP were more likely to develop MetS than those expressing less of the glycoprotein (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.49, 3.83). The association between the serum GAL-3BP level and MetS was found preferentially in postmenopausal women (OR = 2.30, 95%CI: 1.31, 4.05). In addition, GAL-3BP was increased in the serum and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of high fat diet (HFD) mice. Moreover, GAL-3BP was highly expressed in VAT macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirmed serum GAL-3BP to be positively associated with MetS, highlighting it as a useful biological marker of MetS in Chinese participants.

PCOSKBR2: a database of genes, diseases, pathways, and networks associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome KnowledgeBase (PCOSKBR2) is a manually curated database with information on 533 genes, 145 SNPs, 29 miRNAs, 1,150 pathways, and 1,237 diseases associated with PCOS. This data has been retrieved based on evidence gleaned by critically reviewing literature and related records available for PCOS in databases such as KEGG, DisGeNET, OMIM, GO, Reactome, STRING, and dbSNP. Since PCOS is associated with multiple genes and comorbidities, data mining algorithms for comorbidity prediction and identification of enriched pathways and hub genes are integrated in PCOSKBR2, making it an ideal research platform for PCOS. PCOSKBR2 is freely accessible at http://www.pcoskb.bicnirrh.res.in/ .

Estrogen receptor 1 gene polymorphisms (PvuII and XbaI) are associated with type 2 diabetes in Palestinian women

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a multifactorial disease where both genetic and environmental factors contribute to its pathogenesis. The PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms of the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene have been variably associated with T2DM in several populations. This association has not been studied in the Palestinian population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the PvuII and XbaI variants in the ESR1 and T2DM and its related metabolic traits among Palestinian women.

Methods

This case-control study included 102 T2DM and 112 controls in which PvuII and XbaI variants of the ESR1 gene were genotyped using amplicon based next generation sequencing (NGS).

Results

Allele frequencies of both PvuII and XbaI variants were not significantly different between patients and control subjects (P > 0.05). In logestic regression analysis adjusted for age and BMI, the ESR1 PvuII variant was associated with risk of T2DM in three genotypic models (P < 0.025) but the strongest association was observed under over-dominant model (TT+CC vs. TC) (OR = 2.32, CI [1.18-4.55] adjusted P = 0.013). A similar but non-significant trend was also observed for the ESR1 XbaI variant under the over-dominant model (AA+GG vs. AG) (OR = 2.03, CI [1.05-3.95]; adjusted P = 0.035). The frequencies of the four haplotypes (TA, CG, CA, TG) were not significantly different in the T2DM patients compared with control group (P > 0.025). Among diabetic group, an inverse trend with risk of cardio vascular diseases was shown in carriers of CG haplotype compared to those with TA haplotype (OR = 0.28, CI [0.09-0.90]; adjusted P = 0.035). Further, stratified analyses based on ESR1 PvuII and XbaI genotypes revealed no evidence for association with lipid levels (TC, TG, HDL, LDL).

Conclusions

This is the first Palestinian study to conclude that ESR1 PuvII and XbaI variants may contribute to diabetes susceptibility in Palestinian women. Identification of genetic risk markers can be used in defining high risk subjects and in prevention trials.