Objectives: There is a growing evidence indicating an impact of endocrine distrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) on human reproduction. Its higher levels in serum or urine have been documented in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), however the relationship to ovarian steroidogenesis remains unclear. Aim of the study was to compare urinary BPA (U-BPA) concentrations among PCOS women and control group. Second aim was to assess the relationship of U-BPA to ovarian steroidogenesis in the group with PCOS. Methods: Eighty six Caucasian women (age 28.5 ± 5.1 years) diagnosed with PCOS and 32 controls of age 24.9 ± 4.4 years were included in the study. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters and steroid hormones. U-BPA was measured in the morning urine sample using high pressure liquid chromatography. Results: PCOS women had significantly higher U-BPA as compared with control group (p=0.0001). Those with high levels of U-BPA (U-BPA ≥ 2.14 ug/g creatinine) demonstrated higher serum insulin (p=0.029) and HOMA IR (p=0.037), lower serum estrone (p=0.05), estradiol (p=0.0126), FSH (p=0.0056), and FAI (p=0.0088), as compared with low-BPA group (U- BPA <2.14 ug/g creatinine). In PCOS women, U-BPA positively correlated with age (p=0.0026; R ² =0.17), negatively with estradiol (p=0.0001, R ² =0.5), testosterone (p=0.0078, R ² =0.15), free-testosterone (p=0.0094, R ² =0.12) and FAI (p=0.0003, R ² =0.32), respectively. Conclusions: PCOS women have significantly higher U-BPA concentrations than healthy controls. U-BPA positively correlates with age and negatively with ovarian steroid hormones suggesting a possible suppressive effect of bisphenol A on ovarian steroidogenesis.

The endothelin system may play a role in the pathogenesis of vasovagal syncope (VVS) because it is implicated in blood pressure regulation. We hypothesized that endothelin-related genetic polymorphisms might modulate susceptibility to VVS. This study aimed to evaluate the possible influence of endothelin-1 (EDN1) and endothelin receptor A (EDNRA) gene variants on the occurrence of tilt-induced VVS and autonomic nervous system activity during the head-up tilt test (HUT). Results were expressed as mean ± SEM. In 254 patients with recurrent syncope (age 45.33±1.22 years, 94 males, 160 females), heart rate variability (HRV) was measured during HUT. EDN1 rs5370 G>T and EDNRA rs5333 T>C gene polymorphisms were assessed using high-resolution melting analysis. There was no statistically significant association between polymorphisms EDN1 rs5370 and EDNRA rs5333 and positivity of HUT or hemodynamic types of VVS. Patients with GT or TT genotypes at the rs5370 locus of the EDN1 had significantly higher values of high-frequency (HF) and the standard deviation of the average NN intervals at the time of the syncope, and they tended to have lower low-frequency (LF) and LF/HF ratio when compared to homozygotes (GG). No statistically significant differences were found in HRV parameters concerning the EDNRA rs5333 genotypes. Our findings suggest the potential role of EDN1 rs5370 variants in regulating autonomic nervous activity and pathogenesis of VVS.

Adenosine is a multifunctional nucleoside with several roles across various levels in organisms. Beyond its intracellular involvement in cellular metabolism, extracellular adenosine potently influences both physiological and pathological processes. In relation to its blood level, adenosine impacts the cardiovascular system, such as heart beat rate and vasodilation. To exploit the adenosine levels in the blood, we employed the liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Immediately after collection, a blood sample mixed with acetonitrile solution that is either enriched with ¹³C-labeled adenosine or a newly generated mixture is transferred into the tubes containing the defined amount of ¹³C-labeled adenosine. The ¹³C-enriched isotopic adenosine is used as an internal standard, allowing for more accurate quantification of adenosine. This novel protocol for LC–MS-based estimation of adenosine delivers a rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible means for quantitative estimation of total adenosine in blood. The method also allows for quantification of a few catabolites of adenosine, i.e., inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. Our current setup did not allow for the detection or quantifying of uric acid, which is the final product of adenosine catabolism. This advancement provides an analytical tool that has the potential to enhance our understanding of adenosine’s systemic impact and pave the way for further investigations into its intricate regulatory mechanisms.

Adenosine is a multifunctional nucleoside with several roles across various levels in organisms. Beyond its intracellular involvement in cellular metabolism, extracellular adenosine potently influences both physiological and pathological processes. In relation to its blood level, adenosine impacts the cardiovascular system, such as heart beating rate and vasodilation. To exploit the adenosine levels in the blood, we employed the liquid chromatography method coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Immediately after the collection, a blood sample mixed with acetonitrile solution that is either enriched with 13C-labeled adenosine or a newly generated mixture is transferred into the tubes containing the defined amount of 13C-labeled adenosine. The 13C-enriched isotopic adenosine is used as an internal standard, allowing for more accurate quantification of adenosine. This novel protocol for LC-MS-based estimation of adenosine delivers a rapid, highly sensitive, and reproducible means for quantitative estimation of total adenosine in blood. The method also allows quantification of a few catabolites of adenosine, i.e., inosine, hypoxanthine, and xanthine. This advancement provides the analytical tool that has the potential to enhance our understanding of adenosine's systemic impact and pave the way for further investigations into its intricate regulatory mechanisms.

Feochromocyt?m/paragangli?m (PPGL) je zriedkav? neuroendokrinn? n?dor z chromafinn?ch buniek sympatikov?ch gangli?. V 90 % pr?padov je lokalizovan? v dreni nadobli?iek (feochromocyt?m), ak je ulo?en? extraadren?lne (cca 10 %), ide o paragangli... Feochromocyt?m/paragangli?m (PPGL) je zriedkav? neuroendokrinn? n?dor z chromafinn?ch buniek sympatikov?ch gangli?. V 90 % pr?padov je lokalizovan? v dreni nadobli?iek (feochromocyt?m), ak je ulo?en? extraadren?lne (cca 10 %), ide o paragangli...