The antibacterial activity of human cervical mucus (CM) was examined on standardized microbial colonized agar plates (agar diffusion test). In parallel, the lysozyme content of CM was determined by means of a turbidimetric test system in aliquots of the same CM specimens. Suspensions of living lyophilized Micrococcus lysedeikticus were used as bacterial substrate. Testing was performed in a total of 133 CM samples, obtained at mid-cycle from sexually active women from unselected infertile couples with a median age of 30 (range 21-42) years. All mucus specimens showed considerable antibacterial activity with clearly visible circular inhibition zones around the CM-filled holes in the colonized agar plates. Related to the effect of hen's egg white (HEW)-lysozyme on the same plates, the median activity of the CM specimens in the agar diffusion test was equivalent to 33.0 (range 6.4-391.4) microg/ml HEW-lysozyme. However, there was a wide inter-individual range of antibacterial effects of cervical secretions. The cervical index did not significantly influence the outcome of either test. The pH of the endocervical CM also was not correlated with the antibacterial effect. Sexual activity leading to the presence of spermatozoa in CM considerably increased its antibacterial effect. The activity was markedly higher in samples obtained within hours after intercourse compared with those taken after sexual abstinence of >/=5 days (P < 0.05). In microbially colonized CM specimens compared to sterile CM, all obtained under hormonally standardized conditions, the antibacterial activity in the agar plate test was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The results of this pilot study demonstrate the considerable antibacterial activity of human CM.

The incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rising in parallel with increasing bodyweight and loss of glucose control, implicating a high risk of hepatic and extra-hepatic complications. This longitudinal observational study analysed several indicators for MAFLD in 240 overweight subjects (body mass index (BMI) &gt; 28 kg/m²) at 2 visits within in average 16 months. Subjects were categorised according to their insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR) and diabetic status. Liver fat and liver stiffness were measured with sonographic elastography (FibroScan®), and by calculation of Fatty Liver Index (FLI), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). Parameters indicative for liver steatosis, i.e., the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and the FLI, were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) groups (p&lt;0.05). FLI values and the HOMAIR significantly correlated with sonographic liver fat content (CAP) (r=0.53, p&lt;0.0001; r=0.34, p&lt;0.001, respectively). An inverse correlation was observed between serum adiponectin levels and CAP (r=-0.20; p&lt;0.019) and adiponectin levels and FLI (r=-0.37; p&lt;0.0001). Over 16 months, fasting insulin levels and HOMAIR score increased mainly driven by the group of obese subjects with T2DM. No significant change in liver fat or stiffness was observed that period. In subjects with a BMI ≥ 28kg/m², the prevalence of MAFLD increases in line with increasing insulin resistance and loss of glucose control. Despite some further deterioration in insulin sensitivity, liver fat content appeared relatively unchanged over 16 months. Disclosure T.Forst: Consultant; Pfizer Inc., Speaker's Bureau; Amarin Corporation, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Inc., Cipla Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly and Company, MSD Life Science Foundation, Novo Nordisk, Sanofi. I.Botz: None. M.Berse: None. S.K.Baumann: None. A.Schultz: None.

Background: The incidence of metabolic dysfunction- associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is rising in parallel with increasing bodyweight and loss of glucose control, implicating a high risk of hepatic and extra-hepatic complications. Subjects / Methods: This longitudinal observational study analysed several indicators for MAFLD in 240 overweight subjects (body mass index (BMI) > 28 kg/m²) at 2 visits within in average 16 months. Subjects were categorised according to their insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR) and diabetic status. Methods: Liver fat and liver stiffness were measured with sonographic elastography (FibroScan®), and by calculation of Fatty Liver Index (FLI), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). Results: Parameters indicative for liver steatosis, i.e., the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and the FLI, were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) groups (p<0.05). FLI values and the HOMAIR significantly correlated with sonographic liver fat content (CAP) (r=0.53, p<0.0001; r=0.34, p<0.001, respectively). An inverse correlation was observed between serum adiponectin levels and CAP (r=-0.20; p<0.019) and adiponectin levels and FLI (r=-0.37; p<0.0001). Over 16 months, fasting insulin levels and HOMAIR score increased mainly driven by the group of obese subjects with T2DM. No significant change in liver fat or stiffness was observed that period. Conclusions: In subjects with a BMI ≥ 28kg/m², the prevalence of MAFLD increases in line with increasing insulin resistance and loss of glucose control. Despite some further deterioration in insulin sensitivity, liver fat content appeared relatively unchanged over 16 months.

Background: The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising in parallel with increasing bodyweight and loss of glucose control, implicating a high risk of hepatic and extra-hepatic complications. Subjects / Methods: This longitudinal observational study analysed several indicators for NAFLD in 240 overweight subjects (body mass index (BMI) > 28 kg/m²) at 2 visits within in average 16 months. Subjects were categorised according to their insulin sensitivity (HOMAIR) and diabetic status. Methods: Liver fat and liver stiffness were measured with sonographic elastography (FibroScan®), and by calculation of Fatty Liver Index (FLI), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS). Results: Parameters indicative for liver steatosis, i.e., the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and the FLI, were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) groups (p<0.05). FLI values and the HOMAIR significantly correlated with sonographic liver fat content (CAP) (r=0.53, p<0.0001; r=0.34, p<0.001, respectively). An inverse correlation was observed between serum adiponectin levels and CAP (r=-0.20; p<0.019) and adiponectin levels and FLI (r=-0.37; p<0.0001). Over 16 months, fasting insulin levels and HOMAIR score increased mainly driven by the group of obese subjects with T2DM. No significant change in liver fat or stiffness was observed that period. Conclusions: In subjects with a BMI ≥ 28kg/m², the prevalence of NAFLD increases in line with increasing insulin resistance and loss of glucose control. Despite some ongoing deterioration in insulin sensitivity, liver fat content appeared relatively unchanged over 16 months.