title: Aquaglyceroporin-7 overexpression in women with the polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aquaglyceroporin-7 (AQP7) is an adipose glycerol channel protein that has been suggested to be involved in whole-body glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of AQP7 in visceral adipose tissues from women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  
  
  METHODS
  AQP7 mRNA and protein levels were measured in omental adipose tissue from 5 women with the PCOS and 4 healthy controls matched for body mass index and age; this was done by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. -
  
  
  RESULTS
  The women with the PCOS had significantly higher homeostasis model insulin resistance indices (HOMA) and their quantitative insulin sensitivity check indices were significantly lower compared to the controls (p < 0.05). No significant difference was noted between the two groups for the plasma glycerol concentration. AQP7 mRNA expression and protein levels in omental adipose tissue from women with the PCOS were significantly higher than those of the controls (p = 0.007). AQP7 expression showed a positive correlation with fasting insulin levels, insulin levels at 2 h after glucose loading and HOMA in women with the PCOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AQP7 overexpression may be related to insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in women with the PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shin Kong Wu Ho-Su Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Kok-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Seow
authors.forename: Yu-Hung
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Peng-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Jiann-Loung
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Low-Tone
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Chi-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Juan
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D009852:Omentum; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C114141:AQP7 protein, human; D020346:Aquaporins; D001786:Blood Glucose; D012333:RNA, Messenger