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Up-regulation of genes involved in the insulin signalling pathway (IGF1, PTEN and IGFBP1) in the endometrium may link polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometrial cancer

Shafiee MN, Seedhouse C, Mongan N, Chapman C, Deen S, Abu J, et al.

Mol Cell Endocrinol, 2016 Mar 15;424:94-101.
PMID: 26802879 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.01.019

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynaecological cancer amongst women in the UK. Although previous studies have found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have at least a three-fold increase in endometrial cancer (EC) risk compared to women without PCOS, the precise molecular mechanisms which link between PCOS and EC remain unclear. It has been suggested that insulin resistance may contribute to the increased risk of EC in PCOS. The specific expression of genes related to the insulin-signalling pathway including the IGF system in the endometrium of women with PCOS has however never been measured and compared to that in women with EC without PCOS and control women without EC or PCOS. .

Study site: University teaching hospital in the United Kingdom
Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP1) gene expression is similarly increased in polycystic ovary syndrome and endometrial cancer

Shafiee MN, Mongan N, Seedhouse C, Chapman C, Deen S, Abu J, et al.

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 2017 May;96(5):556-562.
PMID: 28176325 DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13106

INTRODUCTION: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome have a three-fold higher risk of endometrial cancer. Insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia may be pertinent factors in the pathogenesis of both conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate endometrial sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 gene expression in polycystic ovary syndrome and endometrial cancer endometrium, and to correlate endometrial sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 gene expression with serum lipid profiles.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed at Nottingham University Hospital, UK. A total of 102 women (polycystic ovary syndrome, endometrial cancer and controls; 34 participants in each group) were recruited. Clinical and biochemical assessments were performed before endometrial biopsies were obtained from all participants. Taqman real-time polymerase chain reaction for endometrial sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 gene and its systemic protein expression were analyzed.
RESULTS: The body mass indices of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (29.28 ± 2.91 kg/m(2) ) and controls (28.58 ± 2.62 kg/m(2) ) were not significantly different. Women with endometrial cancer had a higher mean body mass index (32.22 ± 5.70 kg/m(2) ). Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 gene expression was significantly increased in polycystic ovary syndrome and endometrial cancer endometrium compared with controls (p
Preventing endometrial cancer risk in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) women: could metformin help?

Shafiee MN, Khan G, Ariffin R, Abu J, Chapman C, Deen S, et al.

Gynecol Oncol, 2014 Jan;132(1):248-53.
PMID: 24183733 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.10.028

Current data indicate that there is a significant risk of endometrial cancer (EC) in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), although further research needed to clarify the exact molecular mechanisms. Endometrial hyperplasia is a premalignant condition that usually heralds EC and it shares identical risk factors with EC. Metabolic syndrome with a triad of obesity, hyperinsulinaemia and diabetes, which is commonly observed in PCOS appears to be a key mechanism in EC pathogenesis. Measures to improve insulin resistance could therefore play a role in reducing the risk of EC in women with PCOS. Metformin is an insulin sensitising agent which is safe, widely available and currently licensed for type-2 diabetes. It has been clearly shown in both animal and human studies that metformin is of value in reversing endometrial hyperplasia. Metformin may therefore prevent EC in PCOS. This article reviews the use of metformin in reducing EC risk in PCOS and makes a case for future research on this topic.
The effect of Metformin on endometrial tumor-regulatory genes and systemic metabolic parameters in polycystic ovarian syndrome--a proof-of-concept study

Shafiee MN, Malik DA, Yunos RI, Atiomo W, Omar MH, Ghani NA, et al.

Gynecol Endocrinol, 2015 Apr;31(4):286-90.
PMID: 25495168 DOI: 10.3109/09513590.2014.989982

The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the effects of three-month Metformin therapy on the expression of tumor-regulatory genes (p53, cyclin D2 and BCL-2) in the endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A total of 40 women, aged between 21 and 45 years with PCOS (Rotterdam criteria) were recruited. The participants were assessed at pre- and 3-month-post-Metformin therapy for the menstrual regularities, weight reduction, Ferriman Galway scores, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and p53, BCL-2 and cyclin D2 gene expression. Five participants conceived spontaneously after the initial recruitment. Majority (68%) resumed regular menstrual cycles after Metformin. There were significant reduction in BMI (p = 0.001), weight (p = 0.001) and Ferriman Galway scores (p = 0.001). A significant improvement was seen in mean FBG (p = 0.002), total cholesterol (p = 0.001), LDL (p = 0.003) and HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.015). Tumor suppressor gene (p53) was significantly up-regulated after Metformin (10 out of 14 women), with p value 0.016. BCL-2 and cyclin D2 (oncogenes) were slightly up-regulated without significant difference (p = 0.119 and 0.155, respectively). In conclusion, Metformin therapy improved clinical and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS and up-regulated p53 tumor suppressor gene significantly. Further studies are however required to independently validate our findings.