[Vitamin C decreases MMP-9 synthesis induced by hydrogen peroxide in an in vitro chorioamniotic membrane model]. / La vitamina C disminuye la síntesis de MMP-9 inducida con peróxido de hidrógeno en un modelo de estudio in vitro de membranas corioamnióticas.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hydrogen peroxide ability to induce the synthesis of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in an in vitro chorioamniotic membrane model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An experimental, transversal, analytic and prospective study was made. From amniotic membranes (n = 13) of term labour pregnant women chorionic and chorioamniotic explants were prepared; these were stimulated with hydrogen peroxide [200 mcM]. A group of explants were cultured with vitamin C, 48 hours prior to the hydrogen peroxide stimulus. Twenty-four hours after hydrogen peroxide stimulus the supernatants were collected and metalloproteinase-9 production was determined by zymography methods. RESULTS: Hydrogen peroxide induced the synthesis of metalloproteinase-9 in chorionic and chorioamniotic membranes. When chorionic and chorioamniotic membranes were cultured with vitamin C prior to the hydrogen peroxide stimulus, the MMP-9 production diminished (p < 0.05; Dunn's method). CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen peroxide induced the synthesis of metalloproteinase-9 in chorionic and chorioamniotic membranes. When chorionic and chorioamniotic membranes were cultured with vitamin C, 48 hours prior to peroxide hydrogen stimulus, the metalloproteinase-9 production diminished with statistical significance.

[Endometriosis and deficient intake of antioxidants molecules related to peripheral and peritoneal oxidative stress]. / Endometriosis y consumo deficiente de moléculas antioxidantes relacionado con estrés oxidante periférico y peritoneal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antioxidant intake and the lipoperoxidation status in plasma and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in 48 women with endometriosis obtained at the Sterility Clinic from the National Institute of Perinatology. The antioxidant intake was evaluated applying the Questionnaire Assessment of Antioxidants and Retinol Intakes in Mexican women validated by the National Institute of Public Health. The lipoperoxidation status was determined in plasma and peritoneal fluid with the malondyaldehyde method. Results were analyzed by ANOVA of Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTS: The antioxidant intake (vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and zinc) of women with endometriosis showed a significative statistical difference when data was compared with the control group, including total group and those stratified in pathology stages. The lipoperoxidation status in plasma and peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis, analyzed in group, did not show statistical difference versus healthy women. When data was stratified according to the pathology severity, the percentage of lipoperoxidation status increased in plasma in the severe grade of endometriosis and in peritoneal fluid in the moderate and severe grades. CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant intake in women with endometriosis showed an inverse correlation with the pathology intensity. As endometriosis severity intensifies, a less intake of antioxidants is present. There is a positive association between the pathology development and the lipoperoxidation status.

[Endometriosis and discouragement of immunology cytotoxic characteristics]. / Endometriosis y abatimiento de las características de la respuesta inmunológica citotóxica.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the immunology kind of response Th1 (cytotoxic) or Th2 (humoral) prevailing at peripheral and peritoneal environment at endometriosis women (ENW). STUDY DESIGN: Observational, transverse, analytical, retrospective, cases and controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cooperative and cytotoxic lymphocytes obtained from peritoneal fluid (PF) and peripheral blood (PB) were used to determine IFN-gamma and IL-2 intracellular synthesis at ENW. IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 concentration were determined at PF, PB at ENW and fertile women (FERW). Results were analyzed by ANOVA, t student and Mann-Whitney tests, accepting p < 0.05, as a statistic difference. RESULTS: Peritoneal environment of ENW shows a smaller intracellular synthesis of IFN-gamma and IL-2 at cooperative and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, as in the PF at ENW. The decrease is associated to a smaller percentage of activated, cooperative T lymphocytes and NK cells (p < 0.05, at all the variable), versus FERW. This phenomenon is observed more stressed at the III and IV pathology degree. CONCLUSIONS: ENW show a peritoneal environment with a smaller immunology cytotoxic capacity, versus FERW. The discouragement of the immunology cytotoxic capacity increases associated to the pathology intensity.

[Changes in the systemic immunologic response in association with endometriosis using an animal model]. / Alteración de la respuesta inmunológica sistémica en asociación con endometriosis, empleando un modelo de estudio animal.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis constitutes the growth of endometrial tissue in a place other than the uterine cavity. Its etiopathogenesis is unknown, although there is some evidence associating it with the decrease of cytotoxic activity in the immunological system. OBJECTIVE: Evaluating the relationship between the development of ectopic endometrial tissue and the immunological status, and enumerating lymphocyte subpopulations and cytokine synthesis in T lymphocytes, using a murine endometriosis model. METHODOLOGY: Spleen lymphocytes isolated from two study groups of 10 female mice of the Balb/c strain that had been submitted to the surgical implantation of autologous endometrial tissue in the peritoneal cavity, and sacrificed after 5 (group I) and 8 (group II) weeks, were incubated--or not--with PMA/lonomicine. Lymphocyte T numbers and their cytokine production were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: A lower dispersion of the ectopic tissue growth value was observed in group II (24% vs. 42%). A smaller population of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and a greater IL-4 production in the stimulated cells of the study group (p < 0.05) were observed, as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of endometrial tissue in the uterine cavity decreases the amount of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and increases IL-4 production in total T lymphocytes, suggesting a modulation of the systemic immunological response to TH-2.