title: Evaluation of Toll-Like receptor 2 and 4 RNA expression and the cytokine profile in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the gene expression of Toll-Like (TLR-2 and TLR-4) receptors and cytokine profile in postmenopausal women with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 311 Brazilian women (age≥45 years and amenorrhea≥12 months) were included. Women showing three or more of the following diagnostic criteria were diagnosed as positive for MetS: waist circumference>88 cm, triglycerides≥150 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol<50 mg/dL, blood pressure≥130/85 mmHg, and fasting glucose≥100 mg/dL. The expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 in peripheral blood was evaluated by RNA extraction and subsequent real time PCR analysis. The cytokine profile, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukins 1β, 6, and 10, were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression of TLR-2 RNA was demonstrated in 32.5% and TLR-4 in 20.6% of the subjects. There was no association between the expression of TLR-2 and TLR-4 and the presence or absence of MetS (P>0.05). A greater production of IL-6 was associated with TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions and greater production of TNF-α was associated only with TLR-2 expression (P>0.05). Only the lower quartile of IL-10 was associated with the presence of the MetS (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TLR-2 and TLR-4 expressions were associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF-α, with no association with biomarkers of MetS. The low concentrations of IL-10 may suggest an anti-inflammatory modulation in postmenopausal women with MetS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudio Lera
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Orsatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eliana Aguiar
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Petri Nahas
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Botucatu Medical School, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nahas-Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Science Institute of Health Sciences-UFTM, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabio Lera
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Orsatti
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University- UNESP, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanessa Innocenti
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Giorgi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America.
authors.forename: Steven S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Witkin
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4