Evaluation of tumor necrosis factor alpha polymorphism frequencies in endometriosis

The pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], is a pathogenic element for a number of disorders. Previous studies have reported that the -1031 T/C and -238 G/A polymorphisms in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene are important factors in reproductive-related disorders. One of the most common gynecological diseases of women during the reproductive years is endometriosis. This study aims to assess an association between the -1031 T/C, -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms of the TNF-a gene promoter region to endometriosis. In this case-control study, we enrolled 65 endometriosis patients and 65 matched healthy control women by simple sampling. Polymerase chain reaction [PCR] analysis was used to analyze -1031 T/C, -238 G/A and -308 G/A polymorphisms in the TNF-alpha gene promoter region. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. We found a strong association between the -1031 T/C polymorphism in the promoter region of the TNF-alpha gene with endometriosis [P=0.001]. There were no significant associations between the -238 G/A [P=0.243] and -308 G/A [P=l] polymorphisms with endometriosis and again endometriosis stages have no association with these polymorphisms. The -1031 T/C polymorphism and CC genotype can be used as a relevant marker to identify women at risk of developing endometriosis

Evaluation of CD56[dim] and CD56[bright] natural killer cells in peripheral blood of women with IVF failures

Infertility is an increasing medical and social problem. In vitro fertilization [IVF] has become a common and accessible treatment for a wide variety of indications that have variable outcomes. Natural killer [NK] cells have been identified as relevant immunological factors involved in reproductive success or failure. The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of peripheral blood CD56[+] [CD56[dim] and CD56[bright]] cells and the level of NK cell in patients with IVF failure with those of successful IVF control women. We assessed the level of CD56[dim] CD16[+] and CD56[bright] CD16[-] cells in 50 women under IVF treatment and compared between successful IVF and IVF failure with the flowcytometry technique. Of studied women, 68% did not response to IVF therapy and 32% had successful IVF, the level of CD56[dim] CD16[+] cells in women with IVF failure was significantly higher than successful IVF [p<0.0001] but the level of CD56[bright] CD16[-] cells was not significantly different between women with IVF failure and successful IVF [p=0.28]. The results of present study demonstrated that the level of NK cells as a risk factor is associated with pregnancy loss in women with IVF failure. However, number of sample in this study is low and further studies with more sample size are needed to be done. We suggest considering treatment option for women undergoing repeated IVF failure with increased percentage of CD56[dim] cells and the level of peripheral blood NK cell

Cervicovaginal microbial flora in methenamine silver staining method

Vagina like all other mucosal organs owns its especial bacterial/microbial flora. Though may be pathogen in other circumstances, members of vaginal normal flora do not cause disease on healthy vaginal mucosa. In this study, we tried to determine the relationship between microscopic findings on Methenamine silver stained cervicovaginal smears and clinical symptoms. A total of 389 cervicovaginal smears were examined cytologically from April to August 2005, among which 103 satisfactory smears of patients who were normally enstruating were subsequently selected. The originally Papanicolaou-stained smears were stained with Methenamine silver method. The cervicovaginal flora in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was classified into four groups. The relationship between the type of genital flora and the presence of Candida or Actinomyces spp was also determined. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using Chi-square test. In 103 evaluated patients, 46 [44.7%] were symptomatic and the rest were asymptomatic. The most prevalent genital microbial flora in both symptomatic [21.7%] and asymptomatic [37.9%] patients was type II [Lactobacilli]. Microbial frequency differences were significant for types II [P = 0.034] and III [P = 0.039] in both groups. Coexistence of microbial flora of type I [P = 0.02] and type IV [P = 0.033] with Candida was statistically significant. Coexistence of all types of microbial flora with Actinomyces was not proved significant. Symptomatic women, except those with potential pathogens, tend to have Lactobacillus flora. Therefore, it is advisable that all Lactobacilli types be investigated through microbiological methods in symptomatic patients. In silver stained slides, there was a clear relationship between the type of vaginal microbial flora and the presence of Candida spp