ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis (EMS) is a chronic gynecological disorder with an urgent need of a reliable non-invasive diagnostic strategy. Recently, there has been increasing interest in using the contents of exosomes, especially exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs), as potential biomarkers for various types of diseases. In this study, we assessed the differentially expressed miRNAs in exosomes derived from primary normal and ectopic endometrial cells. METHODS: We used miRNA microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs. Among the selected exosomal miRNAs, we focused on hsa-miR-202-3p and hsa-miR-202-5p and validated their expression levels using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. We then further examined their expression in exosomes derived from vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) from patients with EMS and the negative control group. RESULTS: The data show that hsa-miR-202-3p and hsa-miR-202-5p were expressed significantly higher in leukorrhea-derived exosomes from EMS patients compared with the negative controls. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that leukorrhea-derived exosomal hsa-miR-202 could serve as a potential useful biomarker for diagnosing EMS.
Subject(s)
Endometriosis , Exosomes , Leukorrhea , MicroRNAs , Female , Humans , Endometriosis/diagnosis , Endometriosis/genetics , Endometriosis/metabolism , Leukorrhea/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Biomarkers/metabolism , Exosomes/geneticsABSTRACT
A comparison was made of two brands of pH test paper and electronic instrumentation for measuring the pH of vaginal secretions. When the pH of vaginal secretions was greater than 4.5 (abnormal), there was no significant difference between the methods, showing that pH test paper is reliable for pH determination of vaginal secretions.
Subject(s)
Leukorrhea/metabolism , Electrodiagnosis , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Predictive Value of Tests , Reagent StripsABSTRACT
The vaginal discharge of women with bacterial vaginosis often has a prominent fishy odor. Intensification of this fishy odor by the addition of strong base to the vaginal discharge suggests that it could be due to trimethylamine, the substance responsible for the characteristic odor of spoiling fish. Samples were collected from 11 women with a vaginal discharge having a fishy odor and from 10 women with no detectable odor. Gas chromatographic analysis of headspace samples of alkalinized vaginal discharges indicated the presence of trimethylamine in all 11 samples with the fishy odor but not in the other samples. The chemical identity of trimethylamine was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of headspace samples from two vaginal discharge samples. It is concluded that trimethylamine is the primary cause of the fishy odor associated with bacterial vaginosis.
Subject(s)
Leukorrhea/metabolism , Methylamines/analysis , Odorants/analysis , Vagina/analysis , Bacterial Infections/metabolism , Chromatography, Gas , Dimethylamines/analysis , Female , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion ConcentrationSubject(s)
Antifungal Agents/analysis , Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy , Cervix Mucus/analysis , Ketoconazole/analysis , Leukorrhea/metabolism , Triazoles/analysis , Administration, Oral , Adult , Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Biological Assay , Candida/drug effects , Female , Humans , Ketoconazole/administration & dosage , Triazoles/administration & dosageABSTRACT
The facultative and strictly anaerobic vaginal microbial flora was investigated in 40 women with non-specific vaginitis and in 40 control women seen in private gynaecological practice. Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic gram-negative bacilli, anaerobic gram-negative and gram-positive cocci were all associated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001), whereas lactobacilli occurred less frequently in non-specific vaginitis than in controls (p less than 0.01). The most common anaerobes were Veillonella parvula, Bacteroides bivius, Bacteroides assaccharolyticus, Bacteroides capillosus and Peptococcus asaccharolyticus. Anaerobic gram-negative curved rods were found in 11% of cases of non-specific vaginitis. A characteristic pattern of short chain organic acids was found on gas liquid chromatographic analysis of vaginal secretions in non-specific vaginitis. A succinate/lactate peak ratio of 0.3 or more was found in 75% of women with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001). Clue cells, a positive amine test, a pH higher than 5.0, and the absence of lactobacilli on a Gram stained vaginal smear strongly correlated with non-specific vaginitis (p less than 0.001).
Subject(s)
Gardnerella vaginalis , Gram-Negative Anaerobic Bacteria/isolation & purification , Haemophilus , Vagina/microbiology , Vaginitis/microbiology , Adult , Anaerobiosis , Bacteroides/isolation & purification , Carboxylic Acids/analysis , Female , Gardnerella vaginalis/isolation & purification , Haemophilus/isolation & purification , Humans , Lactobacillus/isolation & purification , Leukorrhea/metabolism , Peptococcus/isolation & purification , Vagina/analysis , Veillonella/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Seminal fluid was studied biochemically for sperm identification in stains. The qualitative and quantitative distribution of amino acids in samples of fresh sperm has been alayzed. These findings were compared to the results of a similar study of fresh samples and stains of urine, saliva, vaginal fluor, and sweat. The results obtained show a specific and relatively constant level of amino acids in each of five biological liquids. There was no significant variation in results between fresh samples and stains.
