The Regulators of VEGF Expression in Mouse Ovaries

The objectives of this study were to explore whether ovarian vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in mice can be regulated by IL-6 (interleukin-6), angiotensin II, FSH, and hCG; and to test whether the mouse ovarian VEGF expression can result in angiogenesis. The ICR mice were sacrificed, and their ovaries were recovered. Recovered ovaries were treated with IL-6, angiotensin II, FSH, and hCG separately and incubated for 24 hours in α-MEM. Expression of mRNA and protein of VEGF were assessed by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The resulting angiogenesis was evaluated through immunohistochemical analysis for CD34. Treatment of mice ovaries with IL-6, FSH, and hCG resulted in a significant increase of VEGF mRNA, and IL-6 was the most potent inducer of VEGF. IL-6 and FSH resulted in increased neovascularization in the follicular phase of mouse ovaries. In contrast, angiotensin II could not increase VEGF expression or neovascularization. We documented an in vitro increase in VEGF expression by IL-6, FSH, and hCG; and reaffirmed that the proliferative response of murine ovarian endothelial cells paralleled an increase of VEGF expression

The role of minimal access surgery in the acute abdomen

Laparoscopic guided procedures have become increasingly common in most general surgeon's practices. As surgeons have become more experienced with laparoscopy, they are able to use it in situation where they may not have considered in the past. The purpose of this article is to explain the use of laparoscopes as it can benefit patients with a variety of acute abdominal pathologies

Vascular Problems of the Pelvis

Regardless of the gender, the human pelvis represents a complex anatomic region shared by the organs of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and the reproductive system. All these structures are included in a rigid bone case which also harbors the intricate neurovascular network that crosses over the pelvic area in direction to the lower limbs. The adequate approach of the diseases arising in the pelvic vascular network is difficult requiring precise anatomical knowledge and often the collaboration of interdisciplinary teamwork. The present chapter describes in detail the pelvic vascular anatomy and also provides a full discussion of both the tumor-related and tumor-unrelated diseases affecting these vascular structures