Effect of Moderate Aerobic Exercise on Complement Activation Pathways in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Women

BACKGROUND

The complement system is pivotal in host defense mechanisms, protecting against pathogenic infection by regulating inflammation and cell immunity. Complement-related protein activation occurs through three distinct pathways: classical, alternative, and lectin-dependent pathways, which are regulated by cascades of multiple proteins. Complement activation is recognized in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) to be associated with obesity and insulin sensitivity. Exercise reduces insulin resistance and may help reduce obesity, and therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of exercise on the activation of complement-related proteins in PCOS and control women.

SUBJECTS AND MEASUREMENTS

In this study, 10 controls and 11 PCOS subjects who were age- and weight-matched underwent an 8-week supervised exercise program at 60% maximal oxygen consumption. Weight was unchanged though insulin sensitivity was increased in PCOS subjects and controls. Fasting baseline and post-exercise samples were collected and 14 complement-related proteins belonging to classical, alternative, and lectin-dependent pathways were measured.

RESULTS

Baseline levels of complement C4b and complement C3b/iC3b were higher in PCOS (P < 0.05) compared with controls. Exercise reduced complement C1q (P < 0.05), C3 (P < 0.001), C4 (P < 0.01), factor B (P < 0.01), factor H (P < 0.01), and properdin (P < 0.05) in controls, but not in PCOS women.

CONCLUSION

Exercise induced complement changes in controls that were not seen in PCOS subjects, suggesting that these pathways remain dysregulated even in the presence of improved insulin sensitivity and not improved by moderate aerobic exercise.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN42448814.

The Relationship Between Brown Adipose Tissue Content in Supraclavicular Fat Depots and Insulin Sensitivity in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes

BACKGROUND

The evaluation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and its role in metabolism and obesity remains an important topic in the recent literature. This study evaluated the influence of the BAT triglyceride content measured by proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and prediabetes on insulin sensitivity.

METHODS

A total of 25 patients with DM2 and prediabetes (45.9 ± 10.1 years old, body mass index [BMI] of 31.6 ± 5.4 kg/m²) underwent anthropometric measurements (BMI), insulin sensitivity analysis (M value during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), proton MR spectroscopy, and blood tests (total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, high-density lipoproteins, and triglycerides). The relationship between the triglyceride content in the supraclavicular fat depot and insulin sensitivity, anthropometric measurements, and blood test results was assessed.

RESULTS

The triglyceride content in the supraclavicular fat depot varied between 79.2% and 97.1% (mean: 92.6% ± 4.2%). The triglyceride content in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue of the neck was significantly higher (85.3%-99.3%; mean: 95.5% ± 2.9%; P = 0.0007). The triglyceride content in the supraclavicular fat depot exhibited a significantly moderate correlation with the BMI (r = 0.64; P = 0.0009). A significant weak negative correlation between the supraclavicular fat content and M value was revealed (r = -0.44; P = 0.002). Patients with high insulin resistance (IR) had a higher triglyceride content in the supraclavicular fat depot than patients with normal and lower IR (94.3% ± 2.0% vs. 90.4% ± 5.2%; P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing the BAT content in the supraclavicular fat depot can influence the development of IR in patients with DM2 and prediabetes.

Clinical significance of M value in gallbladder polypoid lesions

AIM: To investigate the clinical significance of M value, which is calculated according to ultrasonic features of gallbladder polypoid lesions.

METHODS: Clinical data for 114 patients with gallbladder polypoid lesions were collected from January 2011 to December 2013 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shihezi University. The data recorded all patients' ultrasonic characteristics including lesion size, location, number, pedicle size, echo intensity, gallbladder wall thickening or not, and boundary of polypoid lesions. The M value was calculated according to the formula M = 0.02 × age + 0.31 × X₁ + 0.9 × X₂ + 0.15 × X₃ - 5.5, and postoperative pathology was used as a reference.

RESULTS: The 114 patients were divided into different types of gallbladder polypoid lesions or gallbladder cancer after surgery according to pathological diagnosis. Among these patients, 79 (69.30%) had cholesterol polyps, 14 (12.28%) had inflammatory polyps, 3 (2.63%) gallbladder adenomyomatosis, 4 (3.51%) adenomatous polyps, 4 (3.51%) malignant adenomas, and 10 (8.77%) gallbladder cancer. Among them, 93 (81.58%) cases had an M value < 0 and all of them were benign lesions; 7 (6.14%) cases had an M value ≥ 0 but < 2.5, including 4 benign lesions, 2 precancerous lesions, and 1 malignant lesion; 14 (12.28%) cases had an M value ≥ 2.5, including 13 malignant lesions and 1 precancerous lesion. There was a positive correlation between M value and pathological type (r = 0.881, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The M value has important significance in clinical diagnosis and guiding treatment of gallbladder polypoid lesions.