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BACKGROUND: In non-PCOS patients the concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) has been employed to identify individuals at higher risk for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes mellitus. A few studies have examined the role of HbA1C in PCOS patients and current results are controversial. AIM: To compare the strength of the association between glycated hemoglobin and other predictors of cardiovascular risk in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 197 PCOS patients and 72 non-PCOS women. Transvaginal ultrasound, biochemical and hormone measurement were performed. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) was correlated with other variables related to dysmetabolic/vascular diseases. RESULTS: The HbA1C levels were 6.0±1.4% and 4.9±0.4% in PCOS patients and non-PCOS controls, respectively (p<0.001). The HbA1C levels were≥5.7% in 46.4% of PCOS and in none of the control subjects (OR=90.8). HbA1C was well-correlated with several anthropometric, metabolic and endocrine parameters. Stepwise multiple regression including HbA1C and other known predictors of cardiovascular risk resulted in a significant model in which body mass index (BMI) and free testosterone exhibited the best correlation with HbA1C (adjusted R(2)=0.530; F=39.8; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: HbA1C was elevated and correlated with anthropometric, biochemical and endocrine variables of metabolic/vascular disease risks in PCOS patients. Combined HbA1C, BMI and free testosterone levels provided a significant model with potential use to evaluate metabolic/vascular disease in PCOS patients.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cellular and humoral immune responses after oral hormone therapy in postmenopausal women. Study design This was a prospective cohort study, with intervention. The main outcome measures were delayed-type IV cell-mediated hypersensitivity, leukocytes, immunoglobulins, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). METHODS: The delayed-type cell-mediated hypersensitivity was measured by using five common allergens before and after 3 months of hormone therapy. Each type of leukocyte cell was counted before and after hormone therapy. Different subtypes of lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. Immunoglobulins G, A and M were measured by nephelometry; immunoglobulin E was measured by electrochemiluminescence. IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were determined by chemiluminescence. RESULTS: Hormone therapy increased the response to tuberculin antigen without changing the total number of leukocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and CD4 +, CD8 + B cells. Both monocyte number and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio suffered a slight modification (p = 0.057). Immunoglobulins A, M and E remained unchanged and immunoglobulin G decreased (p = 0.029). IL-6 levels remained stable but IL-10 concentrations increased significantly after hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: Short-term oral hormone treatment has no impact on the cellular immune response but, concerning the humoral immune response, immunoglobulin G decreased and the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher.

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In recent years, magnetic nanoparticles have been studied due to their potential applications as magnetic carriers in biomedical area. These materials have been increasingly exploited as efficient delivery vectors, leading to opportunities of use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents, mediators of hyperthermia cancer treatment and in targeted therapies. Much attention has been also focused on "smart" polymers, which are able to respond to environmental changes, such as changes in the temperature and pH. In this context, this article reviews the state-of-the art in stimuli-responsive magnetic systems for biomedical applications. The paper describes different types of stimuli-sensitive systems, mainly temperature- and pH sensitive polymers, the combination of this characteristic with magnetic properties and, finally, it gives an account of their preparation methods. The article also discusses the main in vivo biomedical applications of such materials. A survey of the recent literature on various stimuli-responsive magnetic gels in biomedical applications is also included.

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BACKGROUND: Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is measured in serum and urine for the early detection of ectopic pregnancy, patients with higher risk of miscarriage, embryos or fetuses with chromosome abnormalities, prediction of pre-eclampsia or fetal growth restriction and identification or follow-up of trophoblast neoplasia. This review examines basic knowledge on the heterogeneity of hCG protein core and sugar branches and its relevance to assays used in a clinical setting. METHODS: The databases Scielo and Medline/Pubmed were consulted for identification of the most relevant published papers. Search terms were gonadotrophin, glycoprotein structure, hCG structure and molecular forms of hCG. RESULTS: The synthesis of alpha (hCGalpha) and beta (hCGbeta) peptide chains and their further glycosylation involve the complex action of different enzymes. After assembly, hCG reaches the cell surface and is secreted as a bioactive heterodimer. The complex cascade of enzymes acting in hCG secretion results in heterogeneous molecular forms. The hCG molecules are differently metabolized by the liver, ovary and kidney, but the majority of hCG forms are excreted in the urine. Intact hCG, hCGalpha, hCGbeta, hyperglycosylated (hCGh), nicked (hCGn) and core fragment of hCGbeta (hCGbetacf) forms have relevant clinical use. The immunogenicity of each hCG variant, their epitopes distribution and the available antibodies are important for the development of specific assays. Depending on the prevalent form or proportion in relation to the intact hCG, the choice of assay for measurement of a specific molecule in a particular clinical setting is paramount. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of hCG and/or its related molecules is useful in clinical practice, but greater awareness is needed worldwide regarding the use of new sensitive and specific assays tailored for different clinical applications.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in early follicular phase throughout the reproductive years. METHOD: FSH and LH concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Linear and polynomial regressions were carried out considering basal FSH as the dependent and age as the independent variable. RESULTS: FSH levels increased throughout the reproductive years (P<0.025). A positive correlation between age and basal FSH levels was detected (P<0.05). The Pearson squared coefficient of r(2)=0.889 was obtained. Using polynomial regression, the inclination of the parabole (Y=7.97-0.009x+0.057x(2)) was 0.359 and the generalized correlation coefficient was r=0.795. The goodness of fit analysis showed that the parabole may better represent the phenomenon (F=4.7; P<0.05). The LH levels remained constant, increasing only beyond 40 years of age. CONCLUSION: The FSH levels rose in a nonlinear way during the reproductive life and the LH concentrations increased discreetly only in patients over 40 years of age.

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Diante da crescente importancia dos estados hiperprolactinemicos atendidas nos ambulatorios do Departamento de Ginecologia, Obstetricia e Pediatria do Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto - USP. Para o grupo controle (grupo I), tomaram-se outras 71 pacientes normoprolactinemicas (PRL entre 5 e 50ng/ ml) atendidas no referido servico, com doencas variaveis. As pacientes hiperprolactinemicas foram divididas nos grupos II (PRL) entre 50 e 100ng/ml, n igual 27) e III (PRL maior que 100ng/ml,n igual 21).A amenorreia foi mais frequente nos grupos II e III, enquanto os outros I, em menstruais foram mais frequentes no grupo I. A galactorreia esteve presente em 17% das pacientes do grupo I, em 18,6% do grupo II e em 62% do grupo III, sendo que a forma espontanea predominou no grupo III. Diante dos dados encontrados, os autores sugerem a dosagem da PRL nos casos de amenorreia ou outros disturbios menstruais, galactorreia, esterilidade e hipotiroidismo, assim como a investigacao radiologica sistematica de hipofise nos casos de hiperprolactinemia. Propoe-se ainda um protocolo pratico de conduta na sindrome amenorreia e/ou galactorreia

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Submeteram-se 19 pacientes (9 normo e 10 hiperprolactinemicas) ao teste de estimulacao com TRH, 200 microgramo EV.Observou-se que, quanto maior o nivel de PRL plasmatica, menor foi seu incremento maximo frente ao estimulo. As pacientes normoprolactinemicas apresentaram incremento superior a 280% nos niveis de PRL enquanto que todas as pacientes com tumor hipofisario (PRL > 100 mg/ml) tiveram resposta inferior a 100%. No grupo de pacientes hiperprolactinemicas, sem tumor radiologicamente detectado, observou-se tanto resposta positiva (incremento > 280%) como resposta negativa (incremento < 100%) ao teste. Nas pacientes com galactorreia, apos o tratamento com bromoergocriptina, por 30 dias, observou-se que, quanto maior o nivel inicial, maior o decrescimo maximo da PRL plasmatica. Tambem em todos os grupos, observou-se melhora clinica das pacientes tratadas com bromoergocriptina. Os autores recomendam o uso desta droga, principalmente nos casos de hiperprolactinemia sem tumor detectado, e justificam, inclusive, o seu uso em recidivas e tumores avancados de hipofise, como opcao terapeutica, sendo indubitavel sua acao sobre a diminuicao do tamanho dos adenomas

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