Use of serum copper and zinc levels in the diagnostic evaluation of endometrioma and epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and endometrioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 21 epithelial ovarian cancer patients, 47 endometrioma patients, 31 healthy women of reproductive age, and 10 healthy women in menopause. Cu and Zn levels and Cu/Zn ratios were compared. RESULTS: In the endometrioma group, Cu levels (P = 0.04) and Cu/Zn ratio (P < 0.01) were higher, while Zn levels (P < 0.01) were lower compared to the control group. The threshold value of 1.15 with 62% sensitivity and 61% specificity was calculated for the Cu/Zn ratio using the ROC curve (AUC = 0.688; P = 0.005). In the ovarian cancer group, Cu levels (P ≤ 0.01) and Cu/Zn ratio (P = 0.02) were higher, whereas Zn levels (P ≤ 0.02) were lower compared to the control group. The Cu/Zn ratio threshold value of 1.37 was calculated with 76% sensitivity and 90% specificity (AUC = 0.829; P = 0.004). The Zn level was lower (P = 0.02), and the Cu/Zn ratio was higher (P = 0.01) in the ovarian cancer group compared to the endometrioma group. CONCLUSION: The threshold value of the Cu/Zn ratio for ovarian cancer could be determined with a specificity of 90%, whereas the sensitivity and specificity of the Cu/Zn ratio for endometrioma were low.

The effects of resveratrol on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of resveratrol (RSV) over ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 female Wistar rats (22 days old) were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control group; n = 6) received 0.1 ml intraperitoneal (IP) saline from days 22-26; group 2 (mild-stimulated group; n = 6) received 10 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) on day 24 and 10 IU of hCG 48 h later (day 26); group 3 (OHSS group; n = 6) was given 10 IU of PMSG for 4 consecutive days from day 22 and 30 IU hCG on the fifth day to induce OHSS; group 4 (OHSS + RSV group; n = 6) was treated the same as group 3, but received 60 mg/kg RSV 2 h before PMSG injection for 4 consecutive days and 2 h before the hCG injection on the fifth day. RESULTS: Weight gain was highest in the OHSS group. Ovarian weights were lower in the treatment group than OHSS group. Peritoneal fluid VEGF levels were lower for RSV group compared to group 2 and 3. Total VEGF immunoreactivity was higher in OHSS group than group 1, 2 and 4. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that RSV is beneficial for prevention of OHSS by reducing the increases in body and ovarian weight and VEGF activity. These effects may be mediated by anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic capacity of RSV.

Elevated PAPP-A levels in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the serum concentrations of PAPP-A (pregnancy associated placental protein-A), a biomarker which is associated with cardiovascular disease, in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 62 women with PCOS, and 68 age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as PAPP-A levels were assessed in each subject. RESULTS: Women with PCOS and controls yielded similar median serum levels of PAPP-A (1.7 ng/ml versus 1.8 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.328). However, when patients were compared based on BMI; subgroup analyses found that among women with BMI<27 kg/m2, patients with PCOS exhibited higher PAPP-A levels than controls (2.1 ng/ml versus 1.8 ng/ml, respectively, p = 0.018). When women with PCOS were evaluated in their own based on BMI, lean PCOS women showed higher levels of PAPP-A (2.1 ng/ml versus 1.5 ng/ml, p = 0.002). PAPP-A levels were negatively correlated with age (p = 0.031, r = -0.189), BMI (p = 0.002, r = -0.265) and triglyceride levels (p < 0.001, r = -0.3). CONCLUSION: The data of the present study suggested that PAPP-A might be a clinical indicator in PCOS, in which the risks of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular event are increased. Especially a group of young patients with BMI <27 kg/m2 might benefit from the cardiovascular risk evaluation using PAPP-A, supplying prognostic information for high risk in the development of cardiovascular disease.

The effect of swim-up and gradient sperm preparation techniques on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation in subfertile patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the effect of two different sperm preparation techniques, including swim-up and gradient methods on sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation status of semen samples from unexplained and mild male factor subfertile patients undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). DESIGN: A prospective randomized study was conducted in 65 subfertile patients, including 34 unexplained and 31 male factor infertility to compare basal and post-procedure DNA fragmentation rates in swim-up and gradient techniques. Sperm DNA fragmentation rates were evaluated by a sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test in two portions of each sample of semen that was prepared with either swim-up or gradient techniques. Sperm motility and morphology were also assessed based on WHO 2010 criteria. RESULTS: Swim-up but not gradient method yielded a statistically significant reduction in the DNA fragmented sperm rate after preparation as compared to basal rates, in the semen samples of both unexplained (41.85 ± 22.04 vs. 28.58 ± 21.93, p < 0.001 for swim-up; and 41.85 ± 22.04 vs. 38.79 ± 22.30, p = 0.160 for gradient) and mild male factor (46.61 ± 19.38 vs. 30.32 ± 18.20, p < 0.001 for swim-up and 46.61 ± 19.38 vs. 44.03 ± 20.87, p = 0.470 for gradient) subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Swim-up method significantly reduces sperm DNA fragmentation rates and may have some prognostic value on intrauterine insemination in patients with decreased sperm DNA integrity.

The Impact of laparoscopic surgery of peritoneal endometriosis and endometrioma on the outcome of ICSI cycles.

Our objective was to assess the role of laparoscopic removal of ovarian endometriomas and ablation of peritoneal endometriosis on the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) - Embryo Transfer cycles by comparing with the results of patients with untreated endometriomas and tubal factor without underlying endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopy. For this purpose, between 2002 and 2015, outcomes of 257 ICSI cycles of 150 patients, including 91 cycles of 48 patients in minimal endometriosis, 57 cycles of 25 patients in endometrioma removal, 65 cycles of 53 patients in non-operated endometrioma, and 44 cycles of 24 patients in tubal factor groups were retrospectively analyzed. Basal ovarian reserve was significantly lower, mean starting and total gonadotropin consumption was significantly higher, and mean serum E2 on the day of hCG injection, number of dominant follicles, number of retrieved total, and MII oocytes were all significantly lower in the endometrioma cystectomy group. Fertilization and embryo cleavage rates were also significantly the lowest in the endometrioma cystectomy group, whereas clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were comparable among all groups. The number of transferred embryos and duration of infertility were the most significant predictors of clinical pregnancy and live birth. Basal antral follicle count was also significant in predicting live birth.

Comparison of age-related changes in anti-Müllerian hormone levels and other ovarian reserve tests between healthy fertile and infertile population.

In this study, we aimed to determine whether anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels vary between fertile and infertile populations and compare them with basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and antral follicle count (AFC). This was a prospective study that included 177 primarily infertile patients who underwent IVF treatment and 162 healthy fertile patients admitted to our clinic for benign diseases. FSH and AMH levels and the AFC of the infertile and fertile populations were compared between the age categories <30, 30-39 and ≥40. Correlations between AMH, basal FSH, and AFC with age were evaluated. AFC and AMH levels did not differ between the fertile and infertile groups in all age categories. AMH was inversely correlated with age in both the fertile and infertile populations. However, AFC revealed a stronger correlation with age in both the fertile and infertile populations compared with basal FSH and AMH. Age was positively correlated with basal FSH and inversely correlated with AMH and AFC. In conclusion, there was no significant difference between the fertile and infertile populations in terms of AMH or AFC. The decrease in ovarian reserve in infertile patients is directly related to age, not infertility.

Comparison of The Effectiveness of Clomiphene Citrate versus Letrozole in Mild IVF in Poor Prognosis Subfertile Women with Failed IVF Cycles.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of clomiphene citrate (CC) vs. letrozole (L) plus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in poor prognosis women with previous failed ovarian stimulation undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included cycles with CC and L plus hMG/GnRH antagonist protocols of 32 poor responders who had failed to have ideal follicles to be retrieved during oocyte pick-up (OPU) or embryo transfer (ET) at least for 2 previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles with microdose flare protocol or GnRH antagonist protocol from January 2006 to December 2009. Main outcome measures were implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates per cycle. Duration of stimulation, mean gonadotropin dose used, endometrial thickness, number of mature follicles, serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, number of retrieved oocytes and fertilization rates were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total number of 42 cycles of 32 severe poor responders were evaluated. Total gonadotropin consumption was significantly lower (1491 ± 873 vs. 2808 ± 1581 IU, P=0.005) and mean E2 level on the day of hCG injection were significantly higher in CC group than L group (443.3 ± 255.2 vs. 255.4 ± 285.2 pg/mL, P=0.03). ET, overall pregnancy and live birth rates per cycle were significantly higher in CC than L protocol (27.2 vs. 15%, 13.6 vs. 0% and 4.5 vs. 0%, respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Severe poor responders who had previously failed to respond to microdose or GnRH antagonist protocols may benefit from CC plus hMG/GnRH antagonist protocol despite high cancellation rate.

Recombinant FSH increases live birth rates as compared to clomiphene citrate in intrauterine insemination cycles in couples with subfertility: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH) or clomiphene citrate (CC) in couples with unexplained and male subfertility. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred and nineteen subfertile couples were enrolled in this randomized prospective study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 75IU rFSH or 100mg CC for two cycles. Cycles with more than four dominant follicles and/or serum E2 levels higher than 1500pg/ml were cancelled. Primary outcomes were live birth rates per patient and per cycle, secondary outcomes were clinical and multiple pregnancy rates. RESULTS: One hundred and nine women received rFSH and 110 received CC. Both cumulative clinical pregnancy and live birth rates per patient were significantly higher in gonadotropin group (43.1% and 37.6%) as compared to CC group (28.2% and 20%) (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Live birth rate per cycle were significantly higher in gonadotropin group (24.3%) in comparison with CC group (13.8%) (p<0.05). However, clinical pregnancy rate per cycle was not different between groups (28.4% vs 20%) (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between gonadotropin and CC group groups in terms of multiple pregnancy rates (10.4% vs 12.5%, p>0.05). Continuous variables were compared with Student's t test. Categorical variables were compared with Chi square test. CONCLUSION: rFSH has significantly higher cumulative clinical pregnancy and live birth rates when compared to CC with similar multiple pregnancy rates in subfertile patients undergoing IUI.

The effect of raloxifene on left ventricular hypertrophy in postmenopausal women: A prospective, randomized, and controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: In healthy women, there is a progressive age-related increase in myocardial mass that is not seen in their male counterparts and occurs primarily in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogenic actions on bone and the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of raloxifene on myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal patients. METHODS: A total of 22 postmenopausal osteoporotic women were included in this open-label, randomized, prospective, controlled study. Patients were randomized into two groups: 11 of the patients (group 1) were treated with raloxifene 60 mg/day, and the other 11 patients(group 2) were defined as the control group. Quantitative 2-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic examination was performed in all patients at the beginning and repeated at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. Left ventricle mass (LVM) and left ventricle mass index (LVMI) were calculated for all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 57.2±3.9 years, and baseline clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were similar between the two groups. After 6 months of raloxifene treatment, there was no difference in echocardiographic parameters of LVM and LVMI compared with the control group (201.2±25.9 gr vs. 169.7±46.2 gr, p=0.14 and 120.4±25.9 gr/m2 vs. 105.5±26.3 gr/m2, p=0.195, respectively). There was also no significant difference in LVM and LVMI in the within-group analysis of both groups. CONCLUSION: Raloxifene therapy does not affect myocardial hypertrophy in postmenopausal women after 6 months of treatment.

A potential novel treatment strategy: inhibition of angiogenesis and inflammation by resveratrol for regression of endometriosis in an experimental rat model.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of resveratrol in experimentally induced endometrial implants in rats through inhibiting angiogenesis and inflammation. Endometrial implants were surgically induced in 24 female Wistar-Albino rats in the first surgery. After confirmation of endometriotic foci in the second surgery, the rats were divided into resveratrol (seven rats), leuprolide acetate (eight rats), and control (seven rats) groups and medicated for 21 d. In the third surgery, the measurements of mean areas and histopathological analysis of endometriotic lesions, VEGF, and MCP-1 measurements in blood and peritoneal fluid samples, and immunohistochemical staining were evaluated. After treatment, significant reductions in mean areas of implants (p < 0.01) and decreased mean histopathological scores of the implants (p < 0.05), mean VEGF-staining scores of endometriotic implants (p = 0.01), and peritoneal fluid levels of VEGF and MCP-1 (p < 0.01, for VEGF and p < 0.01, for MCP-1) were found in the resveratrol and leuprolide acetate groups. Serum VEGF (p = 0.05) and MCP-1 (p = 0.01) levels after treatment were also significantly lower in the resveratrol and leuprolide acetate groups. Resveratrol appears to be a potential novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of endometriosis through inhibiting angiogenesis and inflammation. Further studies are needed to determine the optimum effective dose in humans and to evaluate other effects on reproductive physiology.

Effect of luteal phase support after ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of luteal phase support on clinical pregnancy and live birth rates after ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination (IUI). METHODS: 579 cycles from 2010 to 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Ovarian stimulation was performed with gonadotropins, and rHCG was used for ovulation triggering. All patients received IUI. 451 cycles were supported by receiving vaginal micronized progesterone capsules (142 cycles) or vaginal progesterone gel (309 cycles) whereas 128 cycles were not supported. RESULTS: Clinical pregnancy (20.6 versus 9.4%; p = 0.004) and live birth rates (14 versus 7%; p = 0.036) were higher for supported group than for unsupported group. Progesterone gel and micronized progesterone subgroups achieved similar clinical pregnancy and live birth rates (21.4 versus 19%, p = 0.567 and 14.2 versus 13.4%, p = 0.807; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Luteal phase support improved the success of IUI cycles affecting both clinical pregnancy and live birth rates when gonadotropins were used for ovulation induction. The use of vaginal progesterone gel or micronized progesterone significantly improves clinical pregnancy rates. The live birth rates were higher in the progesterone gel group, but were similar in the micronized progesterone group compared to the unsupported group.

The effect of captopril on endometriotic implants in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of captopril on experimentally induced endometriosis in a rat model. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-four adult, mature female Wistar-Albino rats in which endometriotic implants were induced by transplanting autologous uterine tissue to ectopic sites on the peritoneum. After the endometriotic implants were formed surgically, the 24 rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (captopril group, eight rats) were given 50 mg kg(-1)d(-1) of oral captopril for 21 d. Group 2 (leuprolide acetate group, eight rats) were given a single 1 mg kg(-1) subcutaneous injection of leuprolide acetate. Group 3 (control) were given no medication and served as controls (eight rats). The surface area of the endometriotic implants and the score of histologic analysis. Also, VEGF and MCP-1 levels in peritoneal fluids and bloods were analyzed. RESULTS: At the beginning of the medical treatment, the mean surface areas of the endometriotic implants were comparable in all three groups. At the end of the treatment the mean implant surface area in the captopril group and leuprolide acetate group was less than that in the control group. Mean histopathological examination score for the implants post treatment was lower in the captopril and leuprolide acetate groups. Peritoneal fluids VEGF level in the captopril and leuprolide acetate groups was lower than that in the control group. The post-treatment MCP-1 level was also lower in the captopril and leuprolide acetate groups than in the control group. The serum VEGF and MCP-1 levels post treatment were significantly lower in the captopril and leuprolide acetate groups than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Administration of captopril reduced the size and progression of endometriotic lesions in a rat model.

The gradient technique improves success rates in intrauterine insemination cycles of unexplained subfertile couples when compared to swim up technique; a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of gradient and swim-up semen preparation techniques on pregnancy rates in couples undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles with low dose gonadotropin stimulation with the diagnosis of unexplained or mild male subfertility. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty three couples were randomized into swim up or gradient technique groups for sperm preperation. The clinical and on going pregnancy rates per cycle and per patient were evaluated. RESULTS: Both clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates per cycle were significantly higher in the "gradient" group (19% and 16.9%) in comparision with the "swim up" group (9.7% and 6.9%) (p < 0.05). Clinical pregnancy and on-going pregnancy rates per patient were higher in the "gradient" group (26.1% and 23.4%) when compared to the "swim up" group (15.2% and 10.7%), (p < 0.05). In the subgroup of 191 unexplained subfertile couples with 290 cycles; the "gradient" group also revealed significantly higher clinical and ongoing pregnancy rates per cycle (21.6% and 17.9%) when compared with the "swim up" group (10.3% and 7.1%) (p < 0.05). In total of 48 treatment cycles upon 32 couples with mild male factor subfertility no significant difference were found between the two sperm preparation techniques in terms of clinical (% 5.3 vs %6.9, p > 0.05) and ongoing (% 5.3 vs %6.9, p > 0.05) pregnancy rates per cycle. CONCLUSION: The gradient technique significantly improves clinical outcome in IUI cycles of unexplained subfertile couples when compared to swim up technique. In male subfertile patients, both techniques yield similar clinical outcomes.

Effect of Pertubation on Pregnancy Rates before Intrauterine Insemination Treatment in Patients with Unexplained Infertility.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between marital violence and distress level among women with a diagnosis of infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, a total of 180 patients were included in the study. Amongst these, pertubation of the uterine cavity was carried out in 79 patients prior to insemination. One patient in the pertubation group was later excluded because insemination could not be performed due to cycle cancellation. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between the study and control groups. When the pregnancy rates of both groups were evaluated, 14(17.8%) patients in the study group achieved pregancy. Three (3.8%) had a biochemical pregnancy, 1(1.3%) miscarried and 10(12.7%) had live births. In the control group, a total of 24(23.8%) pregnancies were achieved, amongst which one (1%) had a biochemical pregnancy, 3(3%) miscarried and 20(19.8%) resulted in live births. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of total pregnancy and live birth rates (p>0.05). There was a 21% total pregnancy loss rate. There was no significant difference between the control and study groups in terms of pregnancy loss rates (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study on a homogenous group of unexplained infertile patients determined that the addition of pertubation to a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation plus intrauterine insemination (COH+IUI) treatment protocol did not affect pregnancy rates (Registration Number: NCT01999959).

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) alternative skipping of exon 2 or 3 affects ovarian response to FSH.

Genes critical for fertility are highly conserved in mammals. Interspecies DNA sequence variation, resulting in amino acid substitutions and post-transcriptional modifications, including alternative splicing, are a result of evolution and speciation. The mammalian follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene encodes distinct species-specific forms by alternative splicing. Skipping of exon 2 of the human FSHR was reported in women of North American origin and correlated with low response to ovarian stimulation with exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). To determine whether this variant correlated with low response in women of different genetic backgrounds, we performed a blinded retrospective observational study in a Turkish cohort. Ovarian response was determined as low, intermediate or high according to retrieved oocyte numbers after classifying patients in four age groups (<35, 35-37, 38-40, >40). Cumulus cells collected from 96 women undergoing IVF/ICSI following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation revealed four alternatively spliced FSHR products in seven patients (8%): exon 2 deletion in four patients; exon 3 and exons 2 + 3 deletion in one patient each, and a retention of an intron 1 fragment in one patient. In all others (92%) splicing was intact. Alternative skipping of exons 2, 3 or 2 + 3 were exclusive to low responders and was independent of the use of agonist or antagonist. Interestingly, skipping of exon 3 occurs naturally in the ovaries of domestic cats--a good comparative model for human fertility. We tested the signaling potential of human and cat variants after transfection in HEK293 cells and FSH stimulation. None of the splicing variants initiated cAMP signaling despite high FSH doses, unlike full-length proteins. These data substantiate the occurrence of FSHR exon skipping in a subgroup of low responders and suggest that species-specific regulation of FSHR splicing plays diverse roles in mammalian ovarian function.

Antral follicle count determines poor ovarian response better than anti-Müllerian hormone but age is the only predictor for live birth in in vitro fertilization cycles.

PURPOSE: To determine the predictive value of serum anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations and antral follicle counts (AFC), on ovarian response and live birth rates after IVF and compare with age and basal FSH. METHODS: Basal levels of AMH, FSH and antral follicle count were measured in 192 patients prior to IVF treatment. The predictive value of these parameters were evaluated in terms of retrieved oocyte number and live birth rates. RESULTS: Poor responders in IVF were older, had lower AFC and AMH but higher basal FSH levels. In multivariate analysis AFC was the best and only independent parameter among other parameters and AMH was better than age and basal FSH to predict poor response to ovarian stimulation. Addition of AMH, basal FSH, age and total gonadotropin dose to AFC did not improve its prognostic reliability. Area under curve (AUC) for each parameter according to ROC analysis also revealed that AFC performed better in poor response prediction compared with AMH, basal FSH and age. The cut-off point for mean AMH and AFC in discriminating the best between poor and normal ovarian response cycles was 0.94 ng/mL (with a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 86%) and 5.5 (with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 91%), respectively. However, age was the only independent predictor of live birth in IVF as compared to hormonal and ultrasound indices of ovarian reserve. CONCLUSION: AFC is better than AMH to predict poor ovarian response. Although AMH and AFC could be used to predict ovarian response they had limited value in live birth prediction. The only significant predictor of the probability of achieving a live birth was age.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with elevated plasma soluble CD40 ligand, a marker of coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of plasma soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Baskent University School of Medicine in Turkey. PATIENT(S): Thirty-one patients with PCOS and 31 non-PCOS (control) patients. INTERVENTION(S): Determination of plasma sCD40L and homocysteine levels. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Plasma sCD40L, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), LH, FSH, E(2), total T, DHEAS, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, homocysteine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). RESULT(S): The mean serum fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group. The mean serum homocysteine level was significantly higher in the PCOS group. Despite a trend for higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in the PCOS group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The mean plasma sCD40L level in the PCOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group (5.14 +/- 3.65 ng/mL vs. 3.45 +/- 2.64 ng/mL, respectively). CONCLUSION(S): Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with elevated levels of sCD40L and homocysteine.

Raloxifene has favourable effects on metabolic parameters but has no effect on left ventricular function in postmenopausal women.

In this prospective randomized study, we investigated the effect of raloxifene on the echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function and on blood levels of lipids, homocysteine, and lipoprotein (a) in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients and compared the results with those treated with risedronate. A total of 44 women were included in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups. Twenty-two patients received raloxifene 60 mg/day (group 1), and 22 patients received risedronate 5mg/day (group 2; the control group). All patients underwent quantitative two-dimensional pulsed wave Doppler and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Levels of fasting total-C, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, homocysteine, and lipoprotein (a) were measured. All echocardiographic and biochemical parameters were assessed at the beginning of the study and after the 6-month follow-up. Demographic characteristics and baseline metabolic and echocardiographic parameters were similar in the two groups. After 6 months of the therapy, serum levels of total-C, LDL-C, and homocysteine decreased significantly (P=.04, P=.02, P=.008, respectively) in the treated group when compared with the control group. All echocardiographic measurements except a wave from level of basal interventricular septum were similar in the two groups both before and after 6 month of therapy. In the control group, a wave from level of basal interventricular septum increased significantly (P=.019). In conclusions raloxifene may decrease serum levels of total-C, LDL-C, and homocysteine in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients and raloxifene therapy seems to have no significant effect on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Immunohistochemical characteristics of intramural leiomyomata that enlarge during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to determine the immunohistochemical characteristics of intramural leiomyomata that enlarged during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: For this retrospective case-control clinical study and immunohistochemical analysis, 5 patients with enlarged intramural leiomyomata during COH for IVF, who had undergone myomectomy immediately after a failed IVF cycle, were recruited retrospectively. Fifteen consecutive patients who had had myomectomy for intramural leiomyomata <5 cm, but had never undergone any infertility treatment, served as the control group. Histological examinations and immunohistochemical staining with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and fibronectin were performed on all specimens taken from the study and control groups. The main outcome measures were defined as histological and immunohistochemical scores. RESULTS: Hematoxylin and eosin as well as PCNA staining showed increased mitotic index, cellularity and proliferation index in these growing leiomyomata (study group). There were neither increased mitoses nor cellularity in the leiomyomata of the control group, while PCNA, TGF-beta and fibronectin scores in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION(S): This study is the first to report increased TGF-beta, PCNA, cellularity and mitosis in leiomyomata enlarging during COH for IVF. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to determine the role of TGF-beta, PCNA and fibronectin in the growth of leiomyomata during COH.

Black cohosh and fluoxetine in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms: a prospective, randomized trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fluoxetine and black cohosh in the treatment of women with postmenopausal symptoms. A total of 120 healthy women with menopausal symptoms were recruited to this prospective study with a follow-up period of 6 mo. They were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups and were treated with fluoxetine or black cohosh. After entry into the study, patients were examined at the first, second, third, and sixth months of the treatment period. The women kept diaries in which they reported the daily number and intensity of hot flushes and night sweats. In addition, at the beginning and end of the third month, they completed questionnaires consisting of a modified Kupperman Index, Beck's Depression Scale, and a RAND-36 Quality-of-Life Questionnaire. Statistically significant differences were noted in the Kupperman Index and Beck's Depression Scale at the end of the third month in both groups compared with baseline values. In the black cohosh group, the Kupperman Index decreased significantly compared with that in the fluoxetine group by the end of the third month. On the other hand, in the fluoxetine group, Beck's Depression Scale decreased significantly compared with that in the black cohosh group. Monthly scores for hot flushes and night sweats decreased significantly in both groups; however, black cohosh reduced monthly scores for hot flushes and night sweats to a greater extent than did fluoxetine. At the end of the sixth month of treatment, black cohosh reduced the hot flush score by 85%, compared with a 62% result for fluoxetine. By the sixth month of the study, 40 women had discontinued the study--20 (33%) in the fluoxetine group and 20 (33%) in the black cohosh group. Compared with fluoxetine, black cohosh is more effective for treating hot flushes and night sweats. On the other hand, fluoxetine is more effective in improvements shown on Beck's Depression Scale.