Metformin increases the novel adipokine cartonectin/CTRP3 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Tan BK et al. (2013) Recently cartonectin was reported as a novel adipokine, with lower levels in diet-induced obese mice, glucose-lowering effects, and antiinflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a proinflammatory state associated with obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular complications. The objective of the study was to investigate cartonectin levels and regulation in sera and adipose tissue (AT) as well as the effects of metformin of women with PCOS and control subjects. This was a cross-sectional study [PCOS (n = 83) and control (n = 39) subjects]. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to assess mRNA and protein expression of cartonectin. Serum cartonectin was measured by an ELISA. Serum and omental adipose tissue cartonectin were significantly lower in women with PCOS compared with control subjects (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively). Furthermore, cartonectin showed a significant negative association with body mass index, waist to hip ratio, glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and intima-media thickness (P < .05 and P < .01, respectively); in multiple regression analyses, triglycerides (P =.040) and hs-CRP (P = .031) were predictive of cartonectin levels (P < .05). After 6 months of metformin treatment, there was an associated increase in serum cartonectin (P < .05). Importantly, changes in hs-CRP were significantly negatively correlated with changes in serum cartonectin (P = .033). Finally, cartonectin protein production and secretion into conditioned media were significantly increased by metformin in control human omental AT explants (P < .05). Serum and omental AT cartonectin are lower in women with PCOS. Metformin treatment increases serum cartonectin levels in these women and in omental AT explants.//////////////////
General function
Cytokine
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Cellular localization
Secreted
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Ovarian function
Antral follicle growth
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C1QTNF3 in the murine ovary and its function in folliculogenesis. Mao Z et al. (2018) C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 3 (C1QTNF3) is a novel adipokine with modulating effects on metabolism, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system. C1QTNF3 expression levels in the sera and omental adipose tissues of women with PCOS are low compared to control subjects. However, the expression and function of C1QTNF3 in the ovary has not previously been examined. Here, we assessed the expression patterns of C1qtnf3 in the ovary and explored its role in folliculogenesis. The C1qtnf3 transcript abundance was higher in large follicles than in small follicles and was under the influence of gonadotropin. C1QTNF3 was detected mainly in the granulosa cells and oocytes of growing follicles and modestly in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles and in luteal cells. Excess androgen significantly decreased C1QTNF3 expression in the ovaries in vivo and in granulosa cells in vitro. Recombinant C1QTNF3 protein accelerated the weight gain of ovarian explants and the growth of preantral follicles induced by follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) in vitro. The stimulatory effect of C1QTNF3 on ovarian growth was accompanied by the initiation of AKT, mTOR, p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation, an increase in CCND2 expression and a reduction in cleaved CASP3 levels. Moreover, the addition of C1QTNF3 accelerated proliferation and reduced activated CASP3/7 activity in granulosa cells. In vivo, the ovarian intrabursal administration of the C1QTNF3 antibody delayed gonadotropin-induced antral follicle development. Taken together, our data demonstrate that C1QTNF3 is an intraovarian factor that promotes follicle growth by accelerating proliferation, decelerating apoptosis and promoting AKT/mTOR phosphorylation.//////////////////
Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
Granulosa
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Follicle stages
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Serum C1q and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related protein 9 in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Forouhi N et al. (2016) To compare CTRP9 levels in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and without PCOS. Furthermore, to determine the correlation between serum CTRP9 levels and some variety of anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The study included 29 PCOS patients and 27 healthy volunteers of the same age and BMI. Body weight, height and waist circumference were assessed. Blood samples were taken for assessment of serum CTRP9 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. In addition, blood samples were collected for fasting insulin, glucose, and lipid profiles, and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were calculated. Similar serum CTRP9 were found in PCOS subjects and controls (8.8±19.9 vs 5.0±7.6ng/mL). Serum CTRP9 concentration positively correlated with serum LDL-C and total cholesterol in patient group. However, no correlation between CTRP9 and other biochemical and anthropometric variables was found. Serum CTRP9 logs of PCOS participants exhibit a positive association with unfavorable lipid profile in this report.//////////////////