TNF-α effect on human delivery onset by CB1/TRPV1 crosstalk: new insights into endocannabinoid molecular signaling in preterm vs. term labor. Analysis of the EC/EV pathway and predictive biomarkers for early diagnosis of preterm delivery.

BACKGROUND: Endocannabinoids/endovanilloid (EC/EV) system and inflammation are recognized as key regulators of cell-signaling pathways in female reproduction. The knowledge of predictive biomarkers involved in preterm birth (PTB) represents an important goal to make an early diagnosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of EC/EV system and inflammation in human delivery, in placental samples from spontaneous deliveries. METHODS: We examined the expression of genes encoding for the components of EC/EV system (CB1, CB2, TRPV1, MAGL, FAAH, DAGL, NAPE-PLD) and for inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) with qRT-PCR techniques, in human placental samples from preterm delivery (at 30 and at 34 weeks) compared to term delivery (40 weeks, control group). RESULTS: We found a marked increase of CB1, anandamide, and inflammatory cytokines, mainly TNF-α, together with TRPV1 down-regulation in term delivery group, compared to preterm groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted the emergent pivotal role of the EC/EV system and inflammation in spontaneous term delivery and provided the framework for future studies that investigate the CB1/TRPV1 crosstalk in preterm birth. Particularly, we found a link between the stimulation of CB1 receptors and the antagonism of TRPV1 channels, that could be used in PTB prevention, through selected molecules.

[Diagnostic accuracy of endocervicoscopy as preoperative tool to improve the excisional treatment of cervical preneoplastic lesions].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endocervicoscopy as a preoperative examination to improve the outcome of the excisional treatment (LEEP) of high-grade cervical preneoplastic lesions. METHODS: Patients with histologic diagnosis of CIN II-CIN III undergoing LEEP divided in two groups: in group A (85 women) a preoperative endocervicoscopy was performed, in group B (85 women) no additional examination was performed before LEEP. The size of the surgical specimen (H, D, W) and the margins of the lesion were evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-four women in group A and 80 in group B completed the follow-up. group A showed significant correlation between colposcopic examination and endocervicoscopic examination (P=0.001, k=0.30) and between endocervicoscopic and definitive histological examination (P<0.05, k=0.16). The depth of the operative sample was significantly lower (P<0.0001) in group A (0.91±0.4) than in group B (1.58±0.2), group A showed fewer patients B with positive endocervical margins than group B (3 vs. 17, P<002). Colposcopic, cytological and virological follow-up did not show significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Endocervicoscopy as preoperative tool for excisional treatment of cervical lesions showed high diagnostic effectiveness and allows to perform a conservative surgery.