Patterns of proliferation and fibrosis in a rat model of endometriosis following administration of Allium cepa / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease among reproductive-age women. Numerous hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In Turkey, the consumption of Allium cepa (commonly known as the “onion cure”) is a popular treatment employed to alleviate a variety of gynecological disorders. @*Methods@#In this study, our objective was to assess the therapeutic mechanisms of the onion bulb A. cepa using an autologous endometriosis model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Previous research has shown that A. cepa possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties. We evaluated the pathological condition of endometriotic implants by employing hematoxylin-eosin staining and Ki67 immunohistochemistry analysis. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) have been identified as profibrotic markers that are highly overexpressed in endometriotic tissues relative to eutopic endometrial tissue. Furthermore, TGF-β1 influences the differentiation and progression of endometriosis. To quantify profibrotic activity, we measured TGF-β1 and α-SMA using the immunosorbent assay method. @*Results@#Lower histologic evaluation scores for endometriotic implants were observed in the group receiving high-dose A. cepa relative to the other groups. Ki67 expression was reduced following the high-dose A. cepa regimen, which consisted of 30% A. cepa and 70% normal feed. However, no statistically significant differences in TGF-β1 or α-SMA levels were observed among the groups (p=0.7 and p=0.778, respectively). @*Conclusion@#The findings suggest that A. cepa could serve as a therapeutic agent in endometriosis treatment, as evidenced by the reduction in proliferative potential. Nevertheless, A. cepa was not associated with significantly lower levels of endometriosis-associated TGF-β1 or α-SMA.

The effects of berberine on ischemia-reperfusion injuries in an experimental model of ovarian torsion / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine’s short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. @*Methods@#This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). @*Results@#The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. @*Conclusion@#Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

Are there any preventable risk factors for women who had surgery for Pelvic Organ Prolapse and stress Urinary Incontinence?

Objective: The present study evaluates the preventable risk factors in symptomatic women with previous surgery for pelvic organ prolapse [POP] and/or stress urinary incontinence [SUI]

Methods: Four hundred and one women previously operated were divided into two groups as; women operated for POP [325 cases] and women operated for SUI [76 cases]. The control group consisted of 233 age and body mass index [BMI]-matched subject operated for benign gynecologic reasons and exhibited no evidence of POP or SUI. These groups were compared in terms of age, BMI, gravida, parity, mode of delivery, smoking status, menopause status and chronic diseases

Results: Grand_multiparity [parity >/= 5] increased the risk of POP/SUI surgery and POP surgery 2.71 and 2.94 times, respectively [p=0.0003 and p=0.0001, respectively]. Vaginal birth increased the risk of POP/ SUI surgery 2.33 times [p=0.03]

Conclusion: Grand_multiparity increased the risk of POP/SUI surgery and POP surgery while vaginal birth increased the risk of POP/SUI surgery. Among them, particularly, grand_multiparity seem to be the only preventable risk factors

Comparison of frequency of asymptomatic microhematuria in patients with stage 2-4 versus stage 0-1 pelvic organ prolapse

Objective: To compare the frequency of asymptomatic microhematuria [AMH] in patients with stage 2-4 and stage 0-1 pelvic organ prolapse [POP]. Methods: The hospital database was searched for women diagnosed with pelvic floor disorders and all medical records were reviewed retrospectively for the presence of AMH. An additional search was conducted for women with other benign gynecological conditions such as myoma uteri, endometrial hyperplasia or adnexal masses without evidence of pelvic organ prolapse [control group]. The control group was created using 1:1 matching for age and menopausal status. The frequency of AMH in these patients were compared. The degree of hematuria was categorized as reported by the laboratory as 3 to 25 [low grade hematuria], 26 to 50 [intermediate grade hematuria] and 51 or more [high grade hematuria] red blood cell/high powered field. Results: AMH is statistically significant more often seen in study group than in control group [p:0.016]. In the prolapse group 20 women [13.7%] had AMH compared with 9 [6.2%] in the control group. All of 29 patients with AMH had low grade hematuria defined as < 25 red blood cell/high powered field. Patients were followed up for 22 +/- 7 [12 to 33] months. No bladder cancer and no cancer of the upper urinary tract has been detected in these 29 patients with AMH during follow-up. Conclusions: Women with stage 2-4 POP are more likely to be diagnosed with AMH than those with stage 0-1 prolapse