Our data provide evidence for a strong link between a high TT/DHT ratio and an adverse metabolic phenotype in PCOS patients. This correlation was only found in PCOS patients, suggesting the TT/DHT ratio to be a new biomarker for an adverse metabolic phenotype in PCOS patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a multifactorial dysregulation of bone and vascular calcification and closely linked to increased cardiovascular mortality and concomitant bone disease. We aimed to investigate specific microRNA (miRNA) signatures in CKD patients to find indicators for vascular calcification and/or bone mineralization changes during CKD and after kidney transplantation (KT). A miRNA array was used to investigate serum miRNA profiles in CKD patients, then selected miRNAs were quantified in a validation cohort comprising 73 patients in CKD stages 3 to 5, 67 CKD patients after KT, and 36 healthy controls. A spectrum of biochemical parameters including markers for kidney function, inflammation, glucose, and mineral metabolism was determined. The relative expression of miR-223-3p and miR-93-5p was down-regulated in patients with CKD stage 4 and 5 compared to healthy controls. This down-regulation disappeared after kidney transplantation even when lower glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) persisted. MiR-223-3p and miR-93-5p were associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and eGFR levels, and by trend with interleukin-8 (IL-8), C-peptide, hematocrit, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). This study contributes new knowledge of serum miRNA expression profiles in CKD, potentially reflecting pathophysiological changes of bone and calcification pathways associated with inflammation, vascular calcification, mineral and glucose metabolism. Identified miRNA signatures can contribute to future risk markers or future therapeutic targets in bone and kidney disease.

Data from our human primary testicular cell culture model suggest that vitamin D plays a major role in male steroidogenesis in vitro.

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Calcification in the vasculature is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular diseases and mortality outcomes. The present knowledge about expression of calcification regulators in bone compared to vasculature is fragmentary. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate changes in the gene expression of calcification regulators (CR) in arterial vessels during different stages of atherosclerosis and to document potential corresponding changes in the bone. Atherosclerotic changes in the vessels were defined by three histological stages of atherosclerosis: (0) no changes, (1) intima thickening or (2) intima calcification. Bone tissue samples were subgrouped accordingly. Conclusion: We were able to demonstrate that changes in the expression of calcification regulators occur in the stage of vessel thickening even prior to vessel wall calcification. Changes in the expression of CR in the vessels were counterbalanced in bone.