Serum MicroRNA Biomarkers Regulated by Simvastatin in a Primate Model of Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory and estrogen-dependent disease that causes pain and infertility in reproductive-aged women. Due to the delay in diagnosis, there is a pressing need for accurate biomarkers. Detection of serum noncoding RNA molecules such as microRNAs (miRNAs) shows promise as a noninvasive diagnostic strategy; we previously identified miRNAs that are highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for the disease. In this study, we investigate the expression of these miRNAs in a nonhuman primate model of endometriosis. As part of a pilot study evaluating simvastatin for the treatment of endometriosis, the disease was induced in 16 baboons by induction laparoscopy and the animals were divided into 2 groups. One group was treated with simvastatin for 90 days, while the second group received vehicle only. Endometriosis was evaluated after 3 months by laparoscopy. Serum samples were analyzed for 9 circulating miRNAs using quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction, focusing on the miRNAs we found to be dysregulated in human endometriosis. In the simvastatin-treated endometriosis group, levels of miR-150-5p and miR-451a were decreased, while miR-3613-5p levels were increased compared to the untreated endometriosis group. The changes in circulating miRNA expression patterns parallel our previous results in human patients and show that specific miRNAs correlate with endometriosis severity and reverted toward control expression levels after simvastatin treatment. This is the first report showing serum miRNA expression normalized in response to endometriosis treatment, supporting the potential for this class of biomarkers to be used both to diagnose endometriosis and to monitor its progression and response to therapy

Histological assessment of skin grafts stored in amniotic fluid and saline

We investigated the efficacy of amniotic fluid as a substance in which to store grafts; it is rich in nutrients, proteins, and growth factors, and has well-known antimicrobial features. We compared it with the widely-used and practical saline. Split-thickness grafts 4 x 4 cm were prepared from the back of 20 rats and divided into four groups (n = 5 each). The rolled grafts were wrapped in gauze dampened with saline or amniotic fluid and placed into refrigerators in sterile containers for storage. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28, histological examinations were made. A semiquantitative evaluation of the histological damage to the skin was made by scoring its degree of severity. Compared with saline, histological scores in the grafts stored in amniotic fluid were found to be significantly lower on the 14th, 21st, and 28th days (p values on days 14, 21, and 28; cell swelling: 0.014, 0.006, and 0.005, respectively; nuclear swelling: 0.003, 0.006, and 0.007, respectively; nuclear pleomorphism: 0.004, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively; nuclear haloes: 0.015, 0.005, and 0.005, respectively; nuclear pyknosis: 0.003, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively; dermo-epidermal clefting: 0.005, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively; eosinophilia and mitosis: 0.003, 0.006, and 0.004, respectively; dermal collagen: 0.003, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively). Amniotic fluid maintained preservation better for skin grafts than saline. Comparison with other modern storage media would be beneficial

The relationship between subclinical cardiovascular disease and lipocalin-2 levels in women with PCOS

Objective: In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between lipocalin-2 (LCN2) levels and cardiovascular risk in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)