Impact of metabolic syndrome on the risk of endometrial cancer and the role of lifestyle in prevention

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the second gynecological cancer with the highest global incidence. Among many associated risk factors, metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important and preventable one. It comprises a group of conditions that often occur together: central adiposity, hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. This review aimed to describe the epidemiological and biological relationship between MetS and EC, focusing on the role of lifestyle in prevention. A literature search was carried out in the PubMed database. 4824 publications were screened, and 123 were included for this review. The association between MetS and EC has been described. Chronic adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance are involved in the development of obesity, particularly visceral adiposity. These changes promote the ideal environment for the development of EC. Strategies based on lifestyle modifications may be effective for the prevention of MetS and consequently EC. Some of these modifications include adopting a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, depending to the accessibility of these foods for each region. Avoiding ultra-processed foods and increasing daily physical activity were also some suggested modifications. We propose that women be screened for MetS to establish early treatment and to possibly prevent EC. Clinical trials designed to prove the effect of lifestyle modifications on the prevention of EC are needed.

Women with COPD from biomass smoke have reduced serum levels of biomarkers of angiogenesis and cancer, with EGFR predominating, compared to women with COPD from smoking

The main causes of COPD are smoking (COPD-TS) and exposure to biomass smoke (COPD-BS), considered as different phenotypes. The association of COPD-TS with lung cancer (LC) is well established, but not in COPD-BS. Thus, we studied the serum concentration of cytokines that participate in inflammation, angiogenesis, and tumor progression, used frequently as LC biomarkers, in women with COPD-BS compared with COPD-TS (n = 70). Clinical and physiological characteristics and the serum concentration (multiplex immunoassay) of 16 cytokines were evaluated. The analysis revealed that women with COPD-BS were shorter and older, and had lower concentrations of 12 serum cytokines: 6 proinflammatory and angiogenic IL-6Rα, PECAM-1, leptin, osteopontin, prolactin, and follistatin; and 6 that participate in angiogenesis and in tumor progression FGF-2, HGF, sVEGFR-2, sHER2/neu, sTIE-2, G-CSF, and SCF. Notably, there was a significant increase in sEGFR in women with COPD-BS compared to women with COPD-TS. PDGF-AA/BB and sTIE-2 did not change. These findings suggest that women with COPD-BS have markedly decreased proinflammatory, angiogenic, and tumor progression potential, compared to women with COPD-TS, with sEGFR as the predominant mediator, which might reflect a differential pattern of inflammation in women exposed to BS, favoring the development of chronic bronchitis.

Participation of the miR-22-HDAC4-DLCO Axis in Patients with COPD by Tobacco and Biomass

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation and systemic inflammation. The main causes of COPD include interaction between genetic and environmental factors associated with tobacco smoking (COPD-TS) and/or exposure to biomass smoke (COPD-BS). Several microRNAs (miRNAs) control posttranscriptional regulation of COPD-TS associated gene expression. The miR-22-HDAC4-IL-17 axis was recently characterized. It is still unknown, however, whether this axis, participates in COPD-BS. To investigate, 50 patients diagnosed with severe-to-very severe COPD GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stages III/IV, were recruited, 25 women had COPD-BS (never smokers, exposed heavily to BS) and 25 had COPD-TS. Serum levels of miRNA-22-3p were measured by RT (Reverse Transcription)-qPCR, while the concentration of HDAC4 (Histone deacetylase 4) was detected by ELISA. Additionally, we looked for association between serum HDAC4 and DLCOsb (Single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide), as % of predicted by age, height, and gender, one of the main differences described between COPD-BS and COPD-TS. Women with COPD-BS were older and shorter and had a higher DLCOsb %P (percent predicted) compared to COPD-TS. Serum miR-22-3p was downregulated in COPD-BS relative to COPD-TS. In contrast, the concentration of HDAC4 was higher in COPD-BS compared to COPD-TS. Furthermore, a positive correlation between serum HDAC4 levels and DLCOsb %P was observed. We concluded that the miR-22-HDAC4-DLCO axis behaves differently in patients with COPD-BS and COPD-TS.

miR-34a in serum is involved in mild-to-moderate COPD in women exposed to biomass smoke

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation that is due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities. The main causes of COPD are Gene-environment interactions associated with tobacco smoking (COPD-TS) and biomass smoke (COPD-BS). It is well know that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the control of post-transcriptional regulation and are involved in COPD-TS; nevertheless, those miRNAS are participating in the COPD-BS are unidentified. Thus, we studied which miRNAs are involved in COPD-BS (GOLD stages I–II).

Methods

In the screening phase, the profile of the miRNAs was analyzed in serum samples (n = 3) by means of a PCR array. Subsequently, the miRNAs were validated with RT-qPCR (n = 25) in the corresponding study groups. Additionally, the serum concentration of Notch1 was measured comparing COPD-BS vs COPD-TS.

Results

miR-34a was down-regulated in COPD- BS vs COPD-TS. In the other study groups, three miRNAs were differentially expressed: miR-374a was down-regulated in COPD-BS vs C, miR-191-5p was up-regulated in COPD-BS vs H-BS, and miR-21-5p was down-regulated in COPD-TS compared to the C group. Moreover, the serum concentration of Notch1, one of the targets of miR-34a, was increased in COPD-BS compared to women with COPD-TS.

Conclusions

This is the first study in patients with COPD due to biomass that demonstrates miRNA expression differences between patients. The observations support the concept that COPD by biomass has a different phenotype than COPD due to tobacco smoking, which could have important implications for the treatment of these diseases.

Women with COPD by biomass show different serum profile of adipokines, incretins, and peptide hormones than smokers

Background

The main causes of COPD are tobacco smoking (COPD-TS) and biomass smoke exposure (COPD-BS). COPD-TS is known to induce changes in adipokines, incretins, and peptide hormones, frequent biomarkers of inflammation; however, it is unknown if similar changes occur in COPD-BS.

Methods

Clinical and physiological characteristics, and serum concentration of C-peptide, ghrelin, GIP, GLP-1, glucagon, insulin, leptin, PAI-1, resistin, and visfatin were measured in women with COPD-BS, COPD-TS, and healthy controls.

Data were compared with one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test; nonparametric were expressed as median (interquartile ranges), with Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc test. Multivariate analysis, age, BMI, MS, and FEV₁% pred with levels of inflammatory mediators in COPD women.

Results

FEV1% pred, FVC% pred, and FEV1/FVC ratio were decremented in COPD. In COPD-TS increased C-peptide, ghrelin, GIP, GLP-1, and leptin, and reduced glucagon, PAI-1, resistin, and visfatin. In COPD-BS enlarged ghrelin, insulin, leptin, and PAI-1 comparatively with COPD-TS and control, while C-peptide and GLP-1 relatively with controls; conversely, glucagon, and resistin were reduced. Multivariate analysis showed association of ghrelin, insulin, PAI-1, and visfatin with BS exposure.

Conclusions

women with COPD-BS have a distinct profile of adipokines, incretins, and peptide hormones, and specifically with ghrelin, insulin, PAI-1, and visfatin related to BS exposure.