Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting females of reproductive age. It has been associated with cardiometabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disorders, and increases the risk of developing fecundity pathologies including recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and infertility. C1q/tumor necrosis factor‐α‐related protein‐6 (CTRP6) is a novel adipokine involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, host inflammation, and organogenesis. In the present study, we aimed to determine the association of serum CTRP6 levels with some components of metabolic syndrome in PCOS patients (infertile PCOS [inf‐PCOS] and PCOS‐RPL). This case–control study included 120 PCOS patients (60 inf‐PCOS and 60 PCOS‐RPL) and 60 healthy controls. Serum high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) and homocysteine were measured using commercial kits, while adiponectin and CTRP6 levels were assessed using ELISA technique. Inf‐PCOS and PCOS‐RPL individuals had higher levels of serum CTRP6 than controls (546.15 ± 125.02 ng/ml and 534.04 ± 144.19 ng/ml vs. 440.16 ± 159.24 ng/ml; both p < .001). Moreover, serum adiponectin levels were significantly reduced, while fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, free testosterone, and hs‐CRP levels were significantly elevated in PCOS group, when compared with controls. Furthermore, serum CTRP6 positively associated with body mass index in all subjects. It showed an inverse correlation with adiponectin in PCOS group and subgroups. However, it had a direct association with hs‐CRP in PCOS group and inf‐PCOS subgroup, but not PCOS‐RPL subgroup. These findings unravel a probable role of CTRP6 in PCOS pathogenesis, which poses a possibility to be a good diagnostic target. However, further investigation is needed.

To date, selective blockade of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signalling has been developed as a new approach for treatment for many inflammatory diseases. As β-D-mannuronic acid (M2000) has been known as an anti-inflammatory molecule in several experimental models, we investigated the antagonistic effects of M2000 on TLR2 and TLR4 downstream signalling transduction pathway in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell lines overexpressing TLR2/CD14 and the TLR4/MD2/CD14 complex, respectively. M2000 effectively inhibited mRNA expression of MyD88 and p65, major subunit of nuclear factor-κB, in HEK293 cells stimulated by lipoteichoic acid (LTA, a TLR2 agonist) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a TLR4 agonist) with no evidence of cytotoxicity. In addition, M2000 also suppressed LTA and LPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory cytokines in these cells. Furthermore, the results revealed that M2000 had no significant effect on Tollip mRNA expression as a negative regulator of TLR signalling in aforesaid cells. Overall, these data point to M2000 inhibitory effect on Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4 signalling in HEK293 cells. This information might provide new insights into the possible roles of this small drug in order to introduce it as a TLR signalling pathway inhibitor. However, more studies are needed to confirm β-D-mannuronic acid antagonistic effects including the effects of M2000 on peritoneal isolated macrophages and also on blood cells in patients with inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.

Objective Two newly discovered adipokines, including Meteorin-like protein (Metrnl) and asprosin, have been implicated in glucose and insulin metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the associations of these adipokines with obesity in children and adolescents. Methods This study was performed on 35 normal-weight children and 35 children with obesity. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were determined. Serum concentrations of Metrnl, asprosin, and insulin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Metrnl level was significantly lower in obese children than normal-weight children. Additionally, Metrnl was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), insulin, waist-to-hip ratio, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Our results also revealed that circulating asprosin levels were significantly increased in obese children compared to the control subjects and were positively correlated with BMI, insulin, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, and LDL-C. Conclusion Obesity is accompanied by significant alterations in Metrnl and asprosin and therefore these adipokines, especially Metrnl, are suggested as new promising therapeutic targets for obesity and its associated metabolic imbalances.

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