Effects of anastrozole on Ki-67 antigen expression in the vaginal epithelium of female rats in persistent estrus

OBJECTIVES: Aromatase inhibitors are the first-choice drugs for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer. However, in addition to the scarcity of studies, there are controversies about their effects on vaginal epithelial cell proliferation in rats, especially those in persistent estrus. METHODS: To investigate vaginal epithelial cell proliferation by Ki-67 antigen expression, persistent estrus was induced in 42 randomly selected rats. These rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: group I (control, n=21), which received 0.1 mL of propylene glycol (vehicle) daily, and group II (experimental, n=21), which received 0.5 mg/kg or 0.125 mg/day of anastrozole diluted with 0.1 mL of propylene glycol. RESULTS: Light microscopy showed a higher concentration of cells with brown Ki-67 stained nuclei in the control compared to the experimental group. The mean percentage of Ki-67 stained nuclei per 500 cells in the vaginal epithelium was 68.64±2.64 and 30.46±2.00 [mean±standard error of the mean (SEM)] in the control and experimental groups, respectively (p<0.003). CONCLUSION: This study showed that anastrozole, at the dose and treatment duration selected, significantly decreased cell proliferation in the vaginal mucosa of the rats in persistent estrus.

Revisión de la utilidad del uso de progesterona en aborto recurrente de causa no precisada / Review of the usefulness of the use of progesterone in recurrent abortion of unknown cause

Resumen Introducción El AR de causa no precisada es un problema de salud reproductiva que impacta importantemente a las parejas. En casi el 50% de los casos de AR no se encuentra una etiología clara, por lo que es necesario lograr encontrar estrategias de tratamiento que puedan ayudar a mejorar las probabilidades de lograr un embarazo de término. Objetivo analizar la bibliografía existente en cuanto a la utilidad de la progesterona para reducir tasa de aborto en las parejas con AR de causa no precisada en ciclos naturales Métodos: Revisión sistemática cualitativa respecto al uso de progesterona en casos de aborto recurrente de causa no precisada. Resultados Se encontraron 3 artículos. Todos usaron progesterona vaginal, 2 desde el inicio de la fase lútea con disminución de los abortos, uno no demostró este efecto con inicio más tardío de la intervención. Conclusiones Los estudios encontrados orientan a que el uso de progesterona vaginal podría ser de utilidad para disminuir abortos en pacientes con AR iniciando la suplementación al comienzo de la fase lútea.

Reactional changes in short-term levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (lng-ius) use

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endocervical and vaginal environment changes in women using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). METHODS: A quasi-experimental study included sixty women who had an LNG-IUS inserted in the Family Planning Clinic of UNICAMP between April and November of 2016. Women in reproductive age, non-pregnant, without the use of antibiotics and contraceptives seeking for LNG-IUS insertion were selected for this study. All women were evaluated with regard to vaginal and endocervical pH, vaginal and endocervical Gram-stained bacterioscopy, and Pap-smear before and two months after LNG-IUS insertion. Clinical aspects such as cervical mucus, vaginal discharge, and cervical ectopy were also observed. RESULTS: After LNG-IUS insertion, there was an increase in the following parameters: endocervical pH>4.5 (p=0.02), endocervical neutrophil amount (p<0.0001), vaginal cytolysis (p=0.04). There was a decrease in vaginal discharge (p=0.01). No statistically significant changes were found in vaginal pH, neutrophils amount in the vaginal mucosa, vaginal discharge appearance, vaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal coccobacillary microbiota, cervical mucus appearance, or cervical ectopy size. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term LNG-IUS use did not increase vulvovaginal candidiasis or bacterial vaginosis, and led to diminished vaginal discharge. Notwithstanding, this device promoted reactional changes in the vaginal and endocervical environment, without modification on cervical ectopy size.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Avaliar as alterações do ambiente endocervical e vaginal em mulheres usuárias de sistema intrauterino liberador de levonorgestrel (SIU-LNG). MÉTODOS: Um estudo quase-experimental incluiu 60 mulheres que inseriram o SIU-LNG na Clínica de Planejamento Familiar da UNICAMP entre abril e novembro de 2016. Mulheres em idade reprodutiva, não gestantes, sem uso de antibióticos e contraceptivos, em busca pela inserção do SIU-LNG, foram selecionadas para este estudo. Todas as mulheres foram avaliadas quanto ao pH vaginal e endocervical, bacterioscopia vaginal e endocervical por coloração de Gram, exame de Papanicolau antes e dois meses após a inserção de SIU-LNG. Aspectos clínicos como muco cervical, corrimento vaginal e ectopia cervical também foram observados. RESULTADOS: Após a inserção do SIU-LNG houve aumento nos seguintes parâmetros: pH endocervical >4,5 (p=0,02), quantidade de neutrófilos endocervicais (p<0,0001), citolise vaginal (p=0,04). Houve diminuição do conteúdo vaginal (p=0,01). Não foram encontradas alterações estatisticamente significativas no pH vaginal, na quantidade de neutrófilos na mucosa vaginal, apecto do corrimento vaginal, candidíase vaginal, vaginose bacteriana, microbiota cocobacilar vaginal, aparência de muco cervical ou tamanho da ectopia cervical. CONCLUSÃO: O uso do SIU-LNG em curto prazo não aumentou a candidíase vulvovaginal ou a vaginose bacteriana, levou à diminuição do conteúdo vaginal. No entanto, este dispositivo promoveu mudanças reacionais no ambiente vaginal e endocervical, sem modificação no tamanho da ectopia cervical.

Efecto de la frecuencia de aplicación de estrógenos locales sobre el grosor endometrial en mujeres posmenopáusicas / Effect of local estrogen application frequency on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women

Resumen Introducción: Los estrógenos conjugados vía vaginal para aliviar la atrofia y sequedad vaginales pueden producir cambios endometriales. Objetivo: Conocer el efecto de la frecuencia de aplicación de estrógenos conjugados vía vaginal en el grosor endometrial en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Método: Se estudiaron 70 mujeres posmenopáusicas con sequedad vaginal que recibieron estrógenos conjugados en crema (0.625 mg/1 g) durante 12 semanas divididas de la siguiente manera según la frecuencia de aplicación: grupo 1, dos veces por semana (n = 35) y grupo 2, tres veces por semana (n = 35). Al inicio y final del tratamiento se determinó el valor estrogénico en la citología vaginal y se realizó ultrasonido endovaginal para medir el grosor endometrial. La comparación entre los grupos se realizó con U de Mann-Whitney y entre los valores pre y postratamiento con prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: De 70 mujeres reclutadas solo se estudiaron 38 mujeres, 19 en cada grupo, pareadas por valor estrogénico inicial. No se encontró diferencia entre los grupos, ni antes ni después del tratamiento, en el índice de maduración, valor estrogénico ni grosor endometrial. Conclusión: No hubo diferencias en el grosor endometrial entre las distintas frecuencias de aplicación de estrógenos conjugados en crema.

Abstract Introduction: Conjugated estrogens, when used by the vaginal route for the relief of vaginal dryness and atrophy, can produce endometrial changes. Objective: To know the effect of vaginal conjugated estrogens application frequency on endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women. Method: Seventy postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness who received conjugated estrogen cream (0.625 mg/1 g) for 12 weeks were studied. The women were divided according to application frequency as follows: group 1, twice-weekly (n = 35), and group 2, thrice-weekly (n = 35). At baseline and at end-of-treatment, vaginal cytology was examined to determine the estrogenic value, and an endovaginal ultrasound was performed to measure endometrial thickness. The comparison between groups was carried out with Mann Whitney's U-test, and the comparison between baseline and post-treatment values, with Wilcoxon's test. Results: Of 70 recruited women, only 38 were studied, 19 in each group, paired by baseline estrogenic value. No difference was found between groups, neither at baseline nor after treatment, in the maturation index, estrogenic value or endometrial thickness. Conclusion: There were no differences in endometrial thickness between the conjugate estrogen cream different application frequencies.

Subclinical atherogenesis in patients with mild psoriasis: A role for IL-6? / Aterogênese subclínica em pacientes com psoríase leve: um papel para IL-6?

Summary Introduction: A link of psoriasis with subclinical atherosclerosis has been postulated and cytokine network might intermediate this association. Few data are available in patients with mild psoriasis. We evaluated carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in drug-free psoriatic individuals and controls. In parallel, we searched for associations of cIMT with disease activity indexes and serum interleukins (IL) in psoriatic patients. Method: An experienced radiologist performed the cIMT analyses. Cytokine concentrations were assessed by flow cytometry. Disease activity was evaluated based on psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) as well as body surface area (BSA). Results: Sixty-five (65) patients and 64 controls were studied. Mean age of patients (50.9 years) did not differ from controls (p=0.362). A low PASI and BSA (< 10) prevailed (69.2% and 56.9%, respectively). Median levels of IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were significantly lower in cases than in controls (adjusted p<0.05), while IL-6 and IL-8 medians did not differ between groups (adjusted p>0.05). Smoking habit and diabetes mellitus predominated in cases (p=0.002). An altered cIMT (≥ 0.9 mm) was more frequent in cases than in controls (23.8% versus 8.5%, adjusted p=0.045). Mean cIMT was higher in cases with a borderline significance (p=0.057). cIMT scores did not correlate to PASI (rs=0.066; p=0.250) or BSA (rs=0.175; p=0.185), but did correlate significantly with serum IL-6 (rs=0.26; p=0.005). Conclusion: Subclinical atherosclerosis was more frequent in patients with mild psoriasis than controls. cIMT in psoriatic individuals correlated with serum IL-6, pointing to an eventual proatherogenic role of IL-6 in these patients. Newer studies should clarify the connection of atherogenesis with cytokines in psoriasis.

Resumo Introdução: Foi postulada uma ligação entre psoríase e aterosclerose subclínica. A rede de citocinas pode intermediar essa associação. Poucos dados estão disponíveis em pacientes com psoríase leve. Avaliamos a espessura íntima-média carotídea (cIMT) em psoriáticos e controles livres de medicação. Paralelamente, pesquisamos a associação de cIMT com os índices de atividade de doença e interleucinas séricas (IL) em pacientes com psoríase. Método: Um radiologista experiente procedeu à análise do cIMT. As concentrações de citocinas foram avaliadas por citometria de fluxo. A atividade da doença foi avaliada pelo índice de gravidade (PASI) e pela área de superfície corporal (BSA). Resultados: Sessenta e cinco (65) pacientes e 64 controles foram estudados. A idade média dos pacientes (50,9 anos) não diferiu dos controles (p=0,362). PASI e BSA baixos (< 10) prevaleceram (69,2% e 56,9%, respectivamente). As medianas de IL-12p70, TNF-α, IL-1β e IL-10 foram significativamente menores nos casos do que nos controles (p<0,05 ajustado), enquanto as medianas de IL-6 e IL-8 não diferiram nos grupos (p>0,05 ajustado). Tabagismo e diabetes mellitus predominaram nos casos (p=0,002). Um cIMT alterado (≥ 0,9 mm) foi mais frequente nos casos do que nos controles (23,8% versus 8,5%, p=0,045 ajustado). A média de cIMT foi maior nos casos com significância borderline (p=0,057). Os escores de cIMT não se correlacionaram com o PASI (rs=0,066; p=0,250) ou o BSA (rs=0,175; p=0,185), mas se correlacionaram significativamente com a IL-6 sérica (rs=0,26; p=0,005). Conclusão: A aterosclerose subclínica foi mais frequente em pacientes com psoríase leve do que nos controles. Em psoriáticos, cIMT correlacionou-se com níveis de IL-6 no soro, apontando para um eventual papel pró-aterogênico para a IL-6 nesses pacientes. Novos estudos devem esclarecer a ligação da aterogênese com citocinas na psoríase.

Effect of a gel containing pilocarpine on vaginal atrophy in castrated rats

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of Carbopol gel formulations containing pilocarpine on the morphology and morphometry of the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats. METHODS: Thirty-one female Wistar-Hannover rats were randomly divided into four groups: the control Groups I (n=7, rats in persistent estrus; positive controls) and II (n=7, castrated rats, negative controls) and the experimental Groups, III (n=8) and IV (n=9). Persistent estrus (Group I) was achieved with a subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate on the second postnatal day. At 90 days postnatal, rats in Groups II, III and IV were castrated and treated vaginally for 14 days with Carbopol gel (vehicle alone) or Carbopol gel containing 5% and 15% pilocarpine, respectively. Next, all of the animals were euthanized and their vaginas were removed for histological evaluation. A non-parametric test with a weighted linear regression model was used for data analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: The morphological evaluation showed maturation of the vaginal epithelium with keratinization in Group I, whereas signs of vaginal atrophy were present in the rats of the other groups. Morphometric examinations showed mean thickness values of the vaginal epithelium of 195.10±12.23 μm, 30.90±1.14 μm, 28.16±2.98 μm and 29.84±2.30 μm in Groups I, II, III and IV, respectively, with statistically significant differences between Group I and the other three groups (p<0.0001) and no differences between Groups II, III and IV (p=0.0809). CONCLUSION: Topical gel formulations containing pilocarpine had no effect on atrophy of the vaginal epithelium in the castrated female rats.

Analysis of the Ki-67 index in the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats treated with tamoxifen

OBJECTIVES: Vaginal atrophy and breast cancer are common conditions in postmenopausal women and tamoxifen is the standard endocrine treatment for hormone-sensitive tumors. The present study aimed to assess the effect of tamoxifen on Ki-67 protein expression in the vaginal epithelium of castrated rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty Wistar-Hannover adult, virgin, castrated rats were randomly divided into two groups, group I (control, n=20) and group II (tamoxifen, n=20), receiving 0.5 ml of propylene glycol and 250 µg of tamoxifen diluted in 0.5 ml of propylene glycol, respectively, daily by gavage for 30 days. On the 31st day, the rats were euthanized and their vaginas were removed and fixed in 10% buffered formalin for the immunohistochemical study of Ki-67 protein expression. Data were analyzed by the Levene and Student’s t tests (p<0.05). RESULTS: The mean index of Ki-67 expression in the rat vagina of groups I and II was 4.04±0.96 and 26.86±2.19, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the present study, tamoxifen, at the dose and treatment length used, induced a significant increase in the cell proliferation of the vaginal mucosa in castrated rats, as evaluated by Ki-67 protein expression.

Contraceptive, estrogenic and anti-estrogenic potentials of methanolic root extract of carpolobia lutea a in rodents

Several plants are used in herbal medicine for family planning. Carpolobia lutea is a medicinal plant in South Eastern Nigeria used for family planning. The study, was designed to investigate the contraceptive, estrogenic and antiestrogenic potentials of the methanolic root extract of Carpolobia lutea in both rats and mice. The contraceptive effect of extract [7 - 21mg/kg] administered by intraperitoneal route for four days in divided doses was tested in mice and rats. Sexually-active males were introduced on day 5 at the ratio of 3F:1M and kept with these females till the end of the experiment. Investigations on the estrogenic and antiestrogenic property of the extract [7-21mg/kg] were done in immature rats that had undergone surgical removal of both ovaries. The effects of the extract [vaginal opening, vaginal cornification, uterine wet weight] were compared with 17-beta-estradiol [0.l micro g/rat/day] as standard drug. Twenty-four hours later, the animals were sacrificed following the last dose and the weights of uterus, kidney, liver and small intestine were recorded. The extract prevented conception in both mice and rats for two gestational periods. Significant changes [p<0.05-0.001] were observed in the length and weight of pups relative to control. There were no abnormalities observed in the pups over thirty days. In ovariectomized immature young rats, the extract showed estrogenic effect [vaginal opening, vaginal cornification and increased uterine wet weight] in low doses while in high doses, it showed antiestrogenic effect. These findings agree with the traditional use of Carpolobia lutea in the control of fertility. The contraceptive property of the extract may be associated with the direct effects of its chemical constituents

Indirect evaluation of estrogenic activity post heterotopic ovarian autograft in rats / Avaliação indireta da atividade estrogênica após transplante heterotópico de ovário em ratas

PURPOSE: To morphologically evaluate the estrogenic effect on the uterus and vagina of rats submitted to ovarian autografts. METHODS: Twenty Wistar EPM-1 adult rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, followed by ovarian transplants in retroperitoneal regions. The animals were divided in four groups of five animals, according to the day of euthanasia: G4, G7, G14 and G21, corresponding to the 4th, 7th, 14th and 21st day after surgery, respectively. Vaginal smears were collected from the first day of surgery until euthanasia day. After that, the vagina and uterus were removed, fixed in 10 percent formaldehyde and submitted to histological analysis and stained with hematoxiline and eosine. RESULTS: All animals showed estrous cycle changes during the experiment. In 4th day, the uterus showed low action of estrogen with small number of mitosis and eosinophils as well as poor development. On the 7th day, the endometrium was atrophic without mitotic signals and presented a small number of eosinophils. On the 14th and 21th days the histological findings were similar, with the presence of mitosis in the endometrial glands and intense leucocyte infiltration with a large number of eosinophils. Morphometric results showed that the endometrial and myometrial thickness as well as the number of eosinophils presented the highest values during the 14th and 21th days of the evaluation. The 7th day group also presented the lowest eosinophil numbers. Vaginal epithelium features were: 4th and 7th day groups presented non-keratinized stratified epithelium with 5 and 2 cell layers, respectively. The 14th and 21st day groups presented non-keratinized stratified epithelium with 14 and 15 cell layers. CONCLUSION: Experimental ovarian autografts in the evaluated organs presented maximum estrogen activity after the 21st day of surgery, according to morphological and morphometric data.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar morfologicamente a atividade estrogênica no útero e vagina de ratas submetidas a transplante autólogo de ovário. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizadas 20 ratas adultas, Wistar EPM-1, submetidas à ooforectomia bilateral seguida de transplante de ovário em retroperitônio, distribuídas em grupos, conforme a data pré-estabelecida para eutanásia, com cinco animais cada: G4, G7, G14 e G21 - eutanásia no 4º, 7º, 14º e 21º dia de pós-operatório, respectivamente. No 1º dia após a cirurgia foi iniciada coleta de esfregaço vaginal diariamente até o dia pré-estabelecido para eutanásia. Após a eutanásia foi realizada exérese em bloco da vagina e útero, que foram fixados em formol 10 por cento para processamento histológico e coloração pela Hematoxilina-Eosina. RESULTADOS: Todos os animais mostraram alterações do ciclo estral no decorrer dos dias do experimento. No 4º dia, o útero mostrava sinais de baixa atividade estrogênica, o endométrio apresentava poucas figuras de mitose, pouco desenvolvimento e pequena quantidade de eosinófilos. Já no 7º dia, o endométrio encontrava-se atrofiado, sem atividade mitótica e com raros eosinófilos. No 14º e 21º dias os achados foram semelhantes, com presença de mitose nas glândulas endometriais e intenso infiltrado leucocitário, com predomínio de eosinófilos. Os resultados da morfometria mostraram que tanto as espessuras endometrial e miometrial quanto o número de eosinófilos foram maiores no 14º e 21º dias de avaliação, com menores valores no 7º dia. As características do epitélio vaginal foram: epitélio pavimentoso não queratinizado no 4º e 7º (com cerca de cinco e duas camadas celulares, respectivamente) e pavimentoso queratinizado em no 14º e 21º dias (com cerca de 14 e 15 camadas celulares, respectivamente) CONCLUSÃO: O transplante experimental autólogo de ovário manteve a atividade estrogênica nos órgãos avaliados, com atividade estrogênica máxima ao final de 21 dias, conforme parâmetros morfológicos...

A prospective randomized comparative study of the effects of intranasal and transdermal 17 beta-estradiol on postmenopausal symptoms and vaginal cytology.

CONTEXT: Investigating the adverse effects of oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT), the clinical effectiveness of alternative combinations and route of administrations. AIM: To compare the effects of intranasal and transdermal 17 beta-estradiol combined with vaginal progesterone on vasomotor symptoms and vaginal cytology. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A 12-week, prospective, randomized comparative study was conducted between July 2005 and September 2006. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty postmenopausal women aged between 42-57 years, who had scores of > or =1.7 on the menopause rating scale-I (MRS-I) items "1-6", were randomly assigned to receive intranasal (300 microg/day, n =40) or transdermal (50 microg/day, n =40) 17 beta-estradiol continuously. All patients also received a vaginal progesterone gel twice weekly. Vasomotor symptoms were evaluated at weeks 0, 4, 8 and 12. Vaginal maturation index (VMI) was evaluated at weeks 0 and 12 of the study. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: The Mann-Whitney U and the Wilcoxon tests were used. P < 0.05 was regarded as significant. RESULTS: Thirty-two women in the intranasal and 29 women in the transdermal group completed the study. The total score of the MRS, the sum-scores of Factor 1 "HOT FLUSHES" and Factor 2 "PSYCHE" significantly decreased in both groups at week 4. Factor 3 "ATROPHY" scores significantly decreased only in the transdermal group at week 12. The VMI showed no changes within and between the two groups at the end of the study. CONCLUSION: Intranasal and transdermal 17beta-estradiol combined with vaginal progesterone gel as a continuous HRT caused a similar decrease in vasomotor symptoms but did not have any significant effect on VMI after 12 weeks of treatment in this study population.

Randomized comparison of lower and standard dosages of transdermal estradiol on serum estradiol levels and vaginal maturation index.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum estradiol (E2) in postmenopausal women who received 0.025 mg/d or 0.05 mg/d transdermal estradiol, in an equivalent trial. MATERIAL AND METHOD: One hundred and eight postmenopausal women were randomized into 0.025 mg/d and 0.05 mg/d of transdermal E2 matrix patch. After 12 weeks, serum E2 and vaginal maturation index (VMI) were checked in both groups. Adverse effects, such as breast tenderness, application site reaction, weight gain, and headache, were also assessed. RESULTS: Serum E2 in 0.025 mg/d and 0.05 mg/d groups were 42.43 +/- 35.11 and 48.41 +/- 22.36 pg/mL, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Equivalence was found under CI of +/- 14 pg/mL. Mean value of superficial cells and vaginal maturation index (VMI) were comparable between both groups. Adverse effects seem to be less in the lower dosage group compared to the standard dosage group. CONCLUSION: The lower dosage (0.025 mg/d) of the transdermal E2 matrix system is probably an appropriate treatment option for postmenopausal women who need minimal effective and minimal adverse effects.

Influence of ovariectomy and flutamide treatment on vaginal tissue and body weight

To determine the effect of flutamide on vaginal histology, and to ascertain whether flutamide regulates body weight gain in the ovariectomized rat model. We chose 36 sexually mature female Wistar-Albino rats in this study. The study took placed in the Department of Medical Science Application and Research Center of Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey, in 2002. We divided the model rats into 3 groups: group 1 - control group, group 2 - sham-operated group and group 3 - bilaterally ovariectomized group. In addition, we gave flutamide to group 3. We found that the body weight was higher in the ovariectomized rats than the control rats. Furthermore, the body weight decreased a little after flutamide therapy. The thickness in the vaginal epithelium of the control group decreased, moreover, the appearance of stromal tissue was rather loose. After flutamide applications, infiltration of the stromal cells increased, the vaginal epithelial layer thickened and became keratinized. Microscopic papillae and anatomical processes appeared in the flutamide treated group. We observed that the antiandrogen drug flutamide is hormonally active and may exhibit estrogenic-antiestrogenic activity in rats. Our study may be a source for further research examining the relationship between the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide and reproductive function in female rats

Effect of oral estriol on urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma hormone level in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of oral estriol on urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol level in postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms. METHOD: Twenty-eight postmenopausal women with urogenital symptoms who volunteered to participate in this study received 2 mg of oral estriol daily for 12 weeks. The urogenital symptoms, vaginal cytology, and plasma hormone level before and after treatment were analysed using paired t-test. RESULTS: The genital and urological symptoms improved (P < 0.05) after treatment in all subjects. The vaginal cytology showed estrogenic effect on the karyopyknotic index and maturation value. There was a significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of plasma estradiol after 12 weeks of treatment. However, the difference of plasma FSH level before and after treatment was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The daily oral estriol had a positive effect on the urogenital symptoms and vaginal cytology. The plasma estradiol increased after 12 weeks of treatment but the plasma FSH did not change.

Estudio Toxicológico de un producto derivado de la Caña de Azúcar / Toxicity study of a product derived from sugar cane

Se presentan los resultados obtenidos en la evaluación toxicológica preclínica de un principio activo formulado en crema con propiedades cicatrizantes y antifúngicas a partir de un producto natural derivado de la caña de azúcar, al cual se le determinó su inocuidad en animales de experimentación mediante la estimación de la dosis letal media en conejos F1 y ratas albinas Wistar, utilizando niveles de dosis elevados. También se estudió el potencial irritante sobre la piel, mucosa ocular, vaginal y rectal, así como su potencial como agente sensibilizante. De forma general los síntomas tóxicos observados no fueron significativos y desaparecieron en un período corto, no se presentó mortalidad y se comprobó la ausencia de efectos irritantes sobre la piel y mucosas evaluadas. Se demostró que el producto no es un agente sensibilizante. Los resultados obtenidos en el estudio realizado permiten clasificar al producto de una baja toxicidad

Analise quimico-farmaceutica do terconazol / Chemical pharmaceutical analysis of the terconazol

O terconazol e respectivas formas farmaceuticas de creme e ovulos foram analizados por metodos fisicos, fisico-quimicos e quimicos. Fizeram-se testes de caracterizacao como faixa de fusao, analise elementar, perda por dessecacao, solubilidade, rotacao especifica, residuo por incineracao e analise termica. Realizaram-se provas de identificacao cromatografica, espectrometrica e quimica funcional. Efetuaram-se determinacoes quantitativas em meio nao aquoso, metodo de Schoniger, espectrometria no UV, no visivel com ion ferrico e cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia

Verificación de la actividad hormonal del tamoxifen sintetizado en Cuba / Verification of hormone activity or Tamoxifen synthetized in Cuba

En los últimos años ha cobrado gran importancia el uso de los antiestrógenos en el tratamiento de las neoplasias mamarias. El tamoxifén es uno de los más ampliamente utilizados con buena eficacia terapéutica y baja toxicidad. En nuestro país se obtuvo este compuesto cumpliendo los requerimientos químicos de la Farmacopea y se demostró su actividad hormonal en sistemas in vivo, comparable a la del producto comercial