Microchimerism of Fetal Origin in Ovarian Tissues from Women with Pelvic Endometriosis

Objective: To investigate whether fetal microchimeric cells were detected in ovarian tissues with pelvic endometriosis. Methods: Ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from five women who had at least one live-born son and who underwent enucleation of endometriotic cyst or oophorectomy after a diagnosis of endometriotic cyst. Control tissues were obtained from five women with endometriosis who had no pregnant history. Tissue sections were analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization for the presence of fetal cells, defined by X and Y chromosome. Results: Fluorescence in situ hybridization using paraffin-embedded ovarian specimens was performed successfully. Male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five patients. No male cells were found in ovarian tissues from all five controls. Conclusion: Fetal microchimeric cells, possibly from feto-maternal cell trafficking were detected in ovarian tissues with endometriosis were obtained from women who had prior male pregnancies. Further study is necessary to understand the role of persistent fetal microchimeric cells in the progression of endometriosis.ope

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women

Objective: To investigate the types, cost and self-satisfaction of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) Methods: Total 2211 postmenopausal women visiting 8 university hospitals in Seoul and Kyung-ki province were enrolled in this study. Survey was conducted in personal interviewing. Data was collected and analyzed. Results: 1758 of 2211 (79.5%) participants were on CAM and 1342 (60.7%) were on conventional treatment for osteoporosis. CAM was mostly initiated by choice of one’s own or recommendations by family and friends. 28.8% of participants notified their CAM to their physicians while 61.2% did not. Most common (65.6%) reason why they did not notify was "because doctors did not ask". Self-satisfaction on CAM was excellent, 80.8% of participants answering "more than average satisfaction". 58.2% of participants answered the cost per month for CAM was about ten thousand to a hundred thousand won. Conclusion: Many postmenopausal women were performing CAM for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, with satisfaction and durability. More concern and accurate guide of physician are essential to avoid ineffective treatment and economic wasteope

The Immunologic Expression of Apoptosis Related Proteins and Apoptotic Cells in Human Ovarian Follicles

Objective: To investigate the expression of apoptosis related proteins and apoptotic cells on the human ovarian follicles. Materials and Methods: Thirty five Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human ovarian tissue blocks were selected from the surgical pathology files of the department of pathology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, for the period from 1996 to 1998. All specimen were from premenopausal women aged from 32~45. Ovarian tissues were collected from the patients performing hysterectomy for benign uterine diseases. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the detection of DNA fragmented cell, Bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas-ligand. Results: Bcl-2 and bax were not expressed on the surrounding cells and oocyte of the primary, primordial and preantral follicles. Fas and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) were not expressed on the surrounding cells on the primordial and primary follicles. But expressed on the surrounding granulosa cells and oocyte in the primordial and primary follicles. In the healthy follicles, Bcl-2 was expressed on the granulosa cells, however, Bax was not expressed. DNA fragmented cells were expressed on the inner granulosa cell layer of atretic follicles. Conclusion: Fas, Fas-ligand, and Bax may be responsible for the follicular atresia and Bcl-2 may be involved in the follicular survival in the human ovary.ope

The Effect of Isoflavone on Serum Lipid Profiles and Bone Markers in Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: We investigated the effect of isoflavone on postmenopausal symptoms, urinary isoflavone excretion, serum lipid profiles and bone markers to know the effect of isoflavone in postmenopausal women. Methods: 30 postmenopausal women took part in this study. They are divided into 3 subgroups according to the dose of isoflavone supplementation of 100 mg/day, 150 mg/day, and 200 mg/day. Isoflavones were consumed for 6 months. Fasting serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol lenel, lipoprotein-a, osteocalcin, and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were measured initially and 6 months after each isoflavone supplementations. Result: The urinary isoflavone excretion was dose dependent in postmenopausal women and average 24-hr urinary recoveries of daidzein and genistein were approximately 15% and 7% respectively. isoflavone may not affect the serum total cholesterol, TG, LDL cholesterol, and lipoprotein-a levels. but isoflavone increase the HDL cholesterol level in each supplementation, especially increase significantly in 150 mg from 48.6±8.2 mg/dl to 57.3±9.9 mg/dl. Isoflavone decrease the bone marker, but it is not significant statistically. Conclusion: We suggest the isoflavone may beneficial effect on lipid profiles especially increasing serum HDL cholesterol level.ope

A case of disruption of symphysis pubis diagnosed after delivery of a primigravida

Peripartum pubic symphysis separation is a recognized complication of delivery with incidence ranging 1:300 to 1:30,0002,4-6. The underlying etiology of symptomatic symphyseal separation has not fully elucidated. Diagnosis is mostly based on clinical findings. Complete recovery was made only by analgesics and physical therapy. The occurrence of symphyseal separation does not necessitate an alteration in the management of subsequent pregnancy7. We have experienced a case of disruption of symphysis pubis during labor supposed to be caused by too rapid labor course. Details regarding this case and a review of the literature are presented.ope

Effects of 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate on β-hCG secretion by cultured peripheral mononuclear cells during pregnancy

Objective : Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in culture release a biologically active human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This effect is detectable during pregnancy with a maximum between the 16th and 19th week. HCG plays an important role for the corpus luteum rescue during the early gestational age and possibly for the immunotolerance. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between the productivity of cultured PBMC of pregnant women and the ability to maintain early pregnancy, and whether 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increases hCG sectetion by cultured PBMCs. Materials and Methods : PBMC were obtained from 20 pregnant women between 16th to 19th week of gestation , and cultured with TPA. Culture cells were harvested and hCG mRNA were extracted and RT-PCR were performed. Culture supernatants were collected and hCG concentration were determined by commercial RIA methods. Results : The mean age was 31.0 years old, 19 of 20 (95%) pregnant women's PBMC secereted hCG and expressed hCG mRNA, but in control group exept male hepatitis B patient, none of them produced hCG. TPA activated expression of hCG in PBMC in linear manner. Conclusion : Pregnant women's cultured PBMC secreted hCG, but not in non-pregnant or male. We could confirm the mRNA of hCG in PBMC as well in the placental control. The productivity of hCG in PBMC might be closely related with maintenance of early pregnancy.ope

Useful Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Endometriosis

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The Influences of Medical and Surgical History on Bone Mineral Density in Korean Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: This multi-center study was performed to examine the influences of medical and surgical history on bonemineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal women. Methods: BMDs at the lumbar spine and femur neck were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1,105postmenopausal women. All subjects did not take any medicine for the treatment of osteoporosis, such as estrogenor bisphosphonate. Questions about symptoms, medications, and history of medical disease and surgery were askedby using a standardized questionnaire. The odds ratios (OR) of risk factors were calculated. Results: Pain or changes in the back morphology were related to a risk of osteoporosis at both the lumbar spine(OR: 1.96) and femur neck (OR: 2.27). Height loss was also associated with an increased prevalence of osteoporosis(OR: 2.02～2.14) as well as osteopenia (OR: 1.60～1.69) at both area. Women who experienced fractures showeda higher frequency of low bone mass (OR: 2.03～3.72) at the spine and hip. Immobilization was associated withthe increased risks of osteopenia (OR: 1.46) and osteoporosis (OR: 1.89) at the lumbar spine only. In contrast, theuse of oral contraceptives was a protective factor for osteoporosis at the femur neck (OR: 0.26). The prevalence ofosteopenia and osteoporosis appeared to be independent of the following parameters: family history of osteoporosis,history of medical disease or surgery, and medications. Conclusion: Pain or changes in the back morphology, loss of height, history of fracture, and immobilization for longerduration are risk factors, whereas ever-use of oral contraceptives is a protective factor for postmenopausal boneloss in Korean women.ope

Impact of Long-Term Dienogest Therapy on Quality of Life in Asian Women with Endometriosis: the Prospective Non-Interventional Study ENVISIOeN

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Association between susceptibility to advanced stage endometriosis and the genetic polymorphisms of aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor and glutathione-S-transferase T1 genes

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine whether genetic polymorphisms of aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR), glutathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and glutathione-S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) are associated with susceptibility to advanced stage endometriosis in a Korean population. METHODS: This study comprised 316 women with advanced stage endometriosis and 256 control women without endometriosis. Genotyping of the AhRR codon 185 was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotyping for gene deletions were carried out by multiplex PCR analysis. RESULTS: G allele frequency at codon 185 of AhRR was increased in patients with endometriosis (P=0.047), and there was a trend for an association of C/G+G/G genotypes with risk of endometriosis (P=0.06). The proportion of null mutation at GSTT1 also tended to increase (P=0.06) in patients with endometriosis, whereas there was no difference in the genotype distribution of GSTM1 genes. Analyzing AhRR and GSTT1 together, we found that patients with high-risk genotypes at both loci have increased risk of endometriosis, compared with patients without high-risk genotypes (P=0.015). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the AhRR codon 185 and GSTT1 polymorphisms are associated with the risk of advanced stage endometriosis.ope