Differential Autophagy Response in Men and Women After Muscle Damage

Following muscle damage, autophagy is crucial for muscle regeneration. Hormones (e.g., testosterone, cortisol) regulate this process and sex differences in autophagic flux exist in the basal state. However, to date, no study has examined the effect of a transient hormonal response following eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage (EE) between untrained young men and women. Untrained men (n = 8, 22 ± 3 years) and women (n = 8, 19 ± 1 year) completed two sessions of 80 unilateral maximal eccentric knee extensions followed by either upper body resistance exercise (RE; designed to induce a hormonal response; EE + RE) or a time-matched rest period (20 min; EE + REST). Vastus lateralis biopsy samples were collected before (BL), and 12 h, and 24 h after RE/REST. Gene and protein expression levels of selective markers for autophagic initiation signaling, phagophore initiation, and elongation/sequestration were determined. Basal markers of autophagy were not different between sexes. For EE + RE, although initiation signaling (FOXO3) and autophagy-promoting (BECN1) genes were greater (p < 0.0001; 12.4-fold, p = 0.0010; 10.5-fold, respectively) for women than men, autophagic flux (LC3-II/LC3-I protein ratio) did not change for women and was lower (p < 0.0001 3.0-fold) than men. Furthermore, regardless of hormonal changes, LC3-I and LC3-II protein content decreased (p = 0.0090; 0.547-fold, p = 0.0410; 0.307-fold, respectively) for men suggesting increased LC3-I lipidation and autophagosome degradation whereas LC3-I protein content increased (p = 0.0360; 1.485-fold) for women suggesting decreased LC3-I lipidation. Collectively, our findings demonstrated basal autophagy was not different between men and women, did not change after EE alone, and was promoted with the acute hormonal increase after RE only in men but not in women. Thus, the autophagy response to moderate muscle damage is promoted by RE-induced hormonal changes in men only.

The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigue.

Identification of Key genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer using an integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background Accumulating evidence suggested a strong association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cancer (OC), but the potential molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we identify unrecognized but significant genes correlated to PCOS and OC via bioinformatics. Materials and methods Multiple bioinformatic analysis, such as Differential expression analysis, Univariate Cox analysis, functional and pathway enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network construction, survival analysis, and Immune infiltration analysis were utilized. We further evaluated the effect of OGN on FSHR expression via immunofluorescence. Results The TCGA-OC dataset, GSE140082 (for OC) and GSE34526 (for PCOS) dataset were downloaded. 12 genes, RNF144B, LPAR3, CRISPLD2, JCHAIN, OR7E14P, IL27RA, PTPRD, STAT1, NR4A1, OGN, GALNT6 and CXCL11, were recognized as signature genes. Drug sensitive analysis was showed that OGN might be a hub gene in the progression of PCOS and OC. Experimental analysis found OGN could increase the FSHR expression, indicating OGN could regulate the hormonal response in PCOS and OC. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that the function of OGN might be closely related with m6A and ferroptosis. Conclusions Our study indicated 12 signatures that might involved in the prognosis significance of OC, and closely related the correlation between OC and PCOS. Furthermore, the hub gene, OGN, was a significant gene in the OC and PCOS progression via regulating the hormonal response.

Clinical, metabolic and hormonal features of the formation of impaired hypoglycemia awareness

The review presents the prevalence, pathogenetic aspects of the development of impaired hypoglycemia awareness in diabetes mellitus and its effect on the course of the disease. A key aspect in the pathogenesis of atypical hypoglycemias is the brain adaptation to a low glucose concentration in blood, which entails a disorder of hormonal response to hypoglycemia. This process is an autonomous dysfunction associated with hypoglycemia. It is noted the role of atypical hypoglycemia in the development of cardiovascular complications, cognitive impairments and pregnancy failure in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Hormonal Response of Gibberellin (Ga3), Grafting and Seasonal Variations on Growth and Yield Parameters on Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus)

The effect of Gibberellin Hormonal Response and Grafting methods on the Growth and Yield of Okra was investigated, with the aim of inducing variability that could be exploited in the improvement of some quality traits in Okra plants. Gibberellin, grafting and a combination of grafting with Gibberellin) were applied on to the Okra seeds. The seeds of Okra were treated at four different concentrations of Gibberellin (0.1mM, 1.0 mM, 2.0 mM and 0.0 mM as control) after which some of the mutants were grafted using tongue grafting method at seedlings stage. The other set of seeds were not treated with the hormone but were grafted at seedlings stage. The results obtained revealed highly significant difference (P≤ 0.01) in the effects of Gibberellin on survival rates, number of fruits, and fruit weight. Similarly, highly significant differences (P≤0.01) were found between the treatments in Survival rate, except on the number of fruits and fruit weight, where no significant differences exist. More so, significant differences were found in the traits between the seasons except in fruit number. The result showed that Gibberellin and grafting improve important quality traits of Okra. The mutants and grafted Okra could be grown both during the rainy and dry seasons, while 0.1 mM concentration of Gibberellin and grafting improve some important quality traits of Okra that could be utilized for further improvement of Okra. However, the response of Okra to grafting was higher. Based on the findings, the study concluded that, grafting improves some important quality traits of Okra that are of high economic value and possible recommendations that could be made.