Background:The sex-dependent effects of chronic exposure to dietary genistein on cardiovascular health are poorly understood. Purpose: This study examined the effects of a genistein-containing diet on cardiovascular plasma markers, aortic morphology, blood pressure, and expression of cardioprotective proteins in male and female mice. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed either genistein diet (600 mg genistein/kg diet; 600G) or a genistein free diet (0G) for a period of 2 months. Results: After treatment, male and female mice fed 600G gained significantly less weight than their control counterparts fed 0G. Plasma insulin levels were significantly decreased in males only, whereas no changes in the other plasma markers were observed with 600G regardless of sex. Aortae from genistein-fed male mice demonstrated significant decreases in inner and outer luminal diameters and smooth muscle cell density. In female mice fed 600G, no changes in inner and outer luminal diameters were observed compared to female mice fed 0G, but smooth muscle cell density was significantly increased. Despite these differences in aortic morphology, no changes in arterial blood pressure were noted, regardless of sex or diet with genistein. Expression of cardiac glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) was increased in male hearts treated with genistein, while expression of endothelium nitric oxide synthase was significantly increased in females fed 600G compared to controls. However, no differences in inducible nitric oxide synthase protein were observed in all groups studied. Conclusion: Our data indicate that a 2-month diet with genistein results in changes in aortic morphology and expression of cardiac protein and its effects appear to be sex-dependent.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an environmentally persistent synthetic fluoropolymer that has been identified as an endocrine disruptor. Although its mechanism of action remains largely unknown, it has been suggested to decrease steroidogenesis. The aims of this study were to determine if PFOA decreases progesterone (P4) synthesis in stimulated Mouse Leydig Tumor (mLTC‐1) cells and which steroidogenic enzymes are involved. Cells were treated with PFOA (100nm ‐ 100μM) for 24h before stimulation for 4h with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or forskolin. Cell viability was measured using the CellTiter‐Blue® Cell Viability Assay. The effects of PFOA on P4 production were assessed by ELISA. The expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), p450 side‐chain cleavage (p450scc), and the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) were determined by real‐time PCR. Cells treated with 100μM PFOA for 24h showed an 86% reduction in hCG‐induced P4 synthesis compared to untreated cells. To ensure that this decline was not due to diminished LHR expression (mRNA levels were decreased in PFOA‐treated cells), cells were also stimulated with forskolin. Similar results were obtained. There was no significant decrease in cell viability. There was no significant difference in levels of p450scc mRNA between PFOA‐stimulated and unstimulated cells. However, the levels of StAR mRNA levels were markedly declined in cells treated with 100μM PFOA. These data show inhibition of steroidogenesis in PFOA‐treated mLTC‐1 cells and an associated decrease in the expression of LHR and StAR mRNA. Funding: Center for Undergraduate Research and Dept of Biological Sciences, GRU

Ninety percent of children with sleep apnea admitted for overnight observation following sedated MRI did not have an ORE. AHI, anesthesia complications, and NIV use may help target higher-risk patients and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

No abstract