The effects of bisphosphonates on differentiation of human amniotic fluid-derived mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblast / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: It has been known that amniotic fluid (AF) is rich source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Bisphosphonates are widely used in clinical treatment of various metabolic bone diseases and their primary action is the inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption. However, litter is known about whether bisphosphonates affect the differentiation into osteoblast, especially from AF-derived MSCs (AFMSCs). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate whether these bisphosphonates influence in the process of AFMSCs differentiation into osteoblast. METHODS: AF samples were obtained by second trimester amniocentesis for fetal karyotyping from 6 pregnant women. Cells were treated with various concentration (0, 10(-10), 10(-8), 10(-6) M) of zoledronate and alendronate and analyzed over 21 days of culture. Differentiation into osteoblast was determined by cell staining and RT-PCR for alkaline phosphatase (ALP). RESULTS: It was observed that AFMSCs could differentiate into osteoblast. Alendronate had more potent effect than zoledronate in osteoblastic differentiation. ALP expression was increased with increasing concentration of zoledronate and it was highest in 10(-8) M alendronate. However, no effect of bisphosphonates was found in 14 days of culture. CONCLUSION: This study shows that AFMSCs can be differentiated into osteoblast. The induction of these differentiation following bisphosphonate treatment was appear to be drug type-, dose-, and culture time-dependent. However, further studies are needed to conclude a consistent outcome for the effects of bisphosphonate on differentiation potential of AFMSCs.

Successful correction of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse by repair of fascial defects and by using uterosacral ligament suspension / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To report the method and efficacy of the site specific-defects repair in the endopelvic fascia and uterosacral ligament suspension for the correction of posthysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse. METHODS: This study was performed in 3 patients with posthyterectomy vaginal vault prolapse who underwent the surgery for the reconstruction of endopelvic fascia and the correction of vault prolapsed vagina by using uterosacral ligament suspension at the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Moon-Hwa Hospital. Among them, 1 patient was treated by laparotomy, and 2 patients were treated by laparoscope. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 49 to 67 years. The mean operation time was 111 minutes (105-120 minutes). The status of postoperative vagina was normal in all 3 patients, who were discharged 9 days after operation without symptoms. No complication or recurrence were found in them despite long-term follow-up for 24 months, 12 months, 7 months, respectively after operation. One patient has been treated with HRT therapy. CONCLUSION: The reconstruction of the defect of endopelvic fascia and uterosacral ligament fixation may be very safe, effective, and functional in the correction of vaginal vault prolapse. This study reports the treatment of vaginal vault prolapse using uterosacral ligament within Korea for the first time.