Volume 46, Issue 3

Introduction The aim of this review was to review and summarize the current evidence regarding the expression and role of leptin and its receptor (LEPR) in colorectal cancer (CRC). This includes discussing their involvement in carcinogenesis, progression, and prognosis, as well as assessing their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Content We conducted a scoping literature review using several databases. We included studies in English or French that analyzed the expression of leptin and LEPR in the serum or tissue of CRC patients. Additionally, the GEPIA2 platform was employed to investigate the association between leptin and LEPR expression levels and overall survival, as well as their expression across pathological stages and microsatellite subtypes in CRC. Summary A total of 76 eligible studies published between 1994 and 2024 were included. Analyses through immunohistochemical methods, transcriptomics, and serum measurements indicated elevated expression of leptin and LEPR in CRC. However, findings regarding their prognostic value varied: some studies reported a link between high leptin and LEPR levels and poor prognosis, while others found no correlation or even suggested favorable outcomes. This variability in results can be attributed to differences in methodology, patient diversity, and genetic polymorphisms. Outlook The leptin-LEPR system seems to play a significant role in the development and progression of CRC, but its exact prognostic impact remains uncertain due to inconsistent findings. Further standardized and large-scale studies are necessary to clarify its clinical relevance. The leptin-LEPR axis shows promise as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target, particularly in the context of obesity-related CRC.

Objectives Obesity is one of the risk factors that can cause male infertility through various mechanisms. Appropriate exercise can prevent and treat diseases. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of voluntary exercise on the subfertility induced by a high-fat diet in male rats. Methods 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control(C), voluntary wheel-running exercise (Ex), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet combined with voluntary wheel-running exercise (HFD-Ex). The rats in the HFD groups were fed with a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Voluntary wheel-running exercise was conducted for 10 weeks. After 10weeks, blood samples, hypothalamus, epididymis, and testis were collected to assess the sperm parameters, hypothalamic levels of Kisspeptin, Kisspeptin receptors, and leptin, testicular expression of ZO-1, Claudin-3, and Claudin-11, serum levels of gonadotropins, testosterone, and leptin, as well as testicular levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. The integrity of the blood-testis barrier was evaluated using light microscopy after FITC injection. Results An increase in sperm malformation, serum level of leptin, BTB permeability, and testicular level of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed in the HFD group. Hypothalamic protein levels of Kiss and KissR, serum levels of testosterone, and testicular expression of ZO-1, Claudin-3, and Claudin-11 were significantly lower in HFD rats compared to the control group. Voluntary exercise prevented an increase in sperm malformation, serum level of leptin, BTB permeability, and testicular level of TNF-α and IL-6 . Conclusions Voluntary exercise might prevent high-fat diet-induced male infertility by preserving the BTB’s integrity and improving sperm parameters.

Objectives Vitamin D binding protein (DBP) polymorphism has been linked to parameters related to metabolism, but the problem in hypertensive patients has not been well characterized. The current study sought to characterize the distribution of DBP phenotypes in patients diagnosed with essential hypertension, and evaluate the possible relationships with cardiovascular risk. Methods We studied 411 Caucasian patients with essential hypertension. DBP phenotypes were determined using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on serum samples. A review of clinical and laboratory measurements for each patient including blood pressure, serum lipids, and body mass index (BMI), as well as rates of diabetes diagnosis, was conducted and compared across DBP phenotypes. A matched control group (n=141) was utilized for initial comparisons. Results DBP phenotype distribution in the study population was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and parallelled the control group. We found no significant differences for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, lipoprotein(a), or other demographic variables, between DBP phenotypes. Unexpectedly, DBP 2-2 phenotype was associated with a significantly higher BMI, and a greater diabetes prevalence in patients, especially in females. Notably, serum triglyceride levels in females classified as DBP 2-2 were also significantly elevated suggesting the possible metabolic consequences are gender specific. Conclusions DBP 2-2 phenotype appears to be linked to adverse metabolic features in hypertensive patients, particularly among women. These findings support a potential role for DBP genetic variation as a determinant of obesity and diabetes risk, highlighting the need to consider sex-specific genetic influences in metabolic syndrome risk assessments.

Objectives Stress is a physiological state that is essential for the survival of living organisms. Heart rate variability (HRV) and cortisol hormone are indicators of the stress system. According to research, it has been demonstrated that the activation of the stress system is not consciously controlled by the individual, but rather occurs subconsciously. It is a novel concept to employ HRV indexes to assess the level of cortisol concentration as a more reliable indicator of stress system activation, as opposed to relying solely on the individual’s emotional state. Methods In order to understand the relationship between stress and cortisol secretion and its effect on electrophysiological biomarkers like HRV, the algorithms were designed using machine learning algorithms such as SVM, XGB, and MLP in the 634 adult healthy men (20–50 years old). Trait social stress test was utilized to make wide range of cortisol concentration from no to moderate stress. Results These algorithms classified cortisol level between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM in the optimal (5–15 ng/mL), non (less than 5 and more than 15 ng/mL) range, using HRV indexes (12 features). The XBG algorithm could achieve best classification with an accuracy rate of 99 % and an F1 rate of 99 %. They also indicated the state of an individual’s stress system by indicating the concentration level of cortisol, which is its fundamental indicator. Conclusions In addition to classifying stress, the HRV can also classify salivary cortisol in adult health men.

Objectives Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) assays are commonly used as a pregnancy test. False-positive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) values in urine were reported in 15 patients (nine males and six females) presenting with urinary tract infection. Methods Extopic hCG production and presence of heterophilic antibodies were excluded as potential causes of interference. Results Orbitrap mass spectrometry revealed the presence of uromodulin, an abundant urinary glycoprotein, as the likely cause of the interference. Falsely elevated hCG values correlated well with urinary alpha 1 microglobulin (a tubular protein) concentrations and with the urinary leukocyte count. The false positive hCG signal disappeared after antibiotic administration. Conclusions These data suggest that false-positive hCG test results in urine may occur in patients presenting with upper urinary tract infections due to uromodulin interference.