Effect of Myrcene on Th17/Treg Balance and Endocrine Function in Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Insufficiency Mice through the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a defect of ovarian functions in women younger than 40 years old. Although a large number of studies have focused on investigating autoimmune POI, its detailed pathogenesis is still largely unknown. Several studies have indicated that Myrcene exerted a part in the biological processes of various diseases. Nonetheless, whether Myrcene could influence the development of autoimmune POI remains to be elucidated. METHODS: POI model was established by injecting zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (pZP3). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was applied to evaluate the pathological features of ovarian tissues. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for assessing the concentrations of estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and interleukin (IL)-17. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted for assessing the balance of Th17/Treg cells. RESULTS: The results showed that decreased levels of body weight, ovarian weight and ovarian index were reversed by Myrcene in POI model mice. The estrous cycles in mice were extended in pZP3 mice and Myrcene administration restored it to normal. The reduced number of primordial, primary, and secondary follicles as well as the increased number of atretic follicles in POI mice were offset by Myrcene administration. Moreover, Myrcene could modulate the Th17/Treg balance in autoimmune POI. Besides, Myrcene suppressed the MAPK signaling pathway in pZP3 mice. CONCLUSION: Myrcene regulated the Th17/Treg balance and endocrine function in autoimmune POI mice through the MAPK signaling pathway, which might provide a reference for improving the treatment of autoimmune POI.

Evaluation of acupuncture treatments of postpartum female pelvic floor dysfunction by four-dimensional transperineal pelvic floor ultrasound.

INTRODUCTION: In the present investigation, a systematic evaluation of the clinical treatment performance of diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction is explored. By comparing the 4Dtransperineal pelvic floor ultrasound images with the acupuncture treatment performance of the patients, an evaluation system with various parameters is established to provide critical information to guide the clinical treatment fpostpartum female pelvic floor dysfunction (FPFD). METHODS: Eighty patients diagnosed with FPFD are divided into 2 groups. After the designated treatment to the patients, they are carefully examined using transperineal pelvic floor ultrasound. The shape and activity of bladder neck, cervix and rectum anal canal under resting, anal sphincter and Valsalva movements are observed and recorded. The morphology and continuous shape of levator ani muscle in different states after 4D image reconstruction are obtained. RESULTS: After the acupuncture treatment, the bladder neck descent is decreased by 3.8 cm and the anal levator muscle area is decreased by 3.4 cm2 comparing with the control group. The anal levator muscle hole diameter is decreased by 0.3 cm, while the anterior and posterior diameter is reduced by 0.5 cm. Reduced possibility of cystocele and uterine prolapse is demonstrated by X2 test. These changes upon acupuncture therapy are in line with the improved conditions of the patients, indicating these parameters can help evaluate the therapy performance. CONCLUSION: 4D pelvic floor ultrasound imaging provides objective and quantified information for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of FPFD and the assessment of therapy efficacy, making it a promising novel method in practical applications.

Paeonol prevents migration and invasion, and promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting 5­lipoxygenase.

Cervical cancer is a common public health issue with high morbidity worldwide. Paeonol (Pae) has been recognized as a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of various cancer types. However, whether Pae could exert a protective effect on cervical cancer remains to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of Pae in cervical cancer cells and identify the potential mechanism. Cell Counting Kit­8 and colony­formation assays were conducted to test the proliferation of HeLa cells. Additionally, wound healing and transwell assays were used to detect the migratory and invasive abilities of cells. The plasmid that overexpressed 5­lipoxygenase (5­LO) or control vector was constructed and transfected into the cells. Subsequently, flow cytometry was used to monitor the apoptotic rate of cells. The expression levels of apoptosis­associated proteins and 5­LO were detected using western blot analysis. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR analysis detected the expression of 5­LO. Pae inhibited the proliferation, invasion and migration of HeLa cells, promoted cell apoptosis and downregulated the expression of 5­LO. Overexpression of 5­LO, however, attenuated these effects. Thus, Pae could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion, as well as promote apoptosis of HeLa cells by regulating the expression of 5­LO.

Sialic Acid and Iron Content in Breastmilk of Chinese Lactating Women.

OBJECTIVE: To study sialic acid and iron content in breastmilk in Chinese women during different lactation stages. METHODS: Sialic acid and iron content of colostrum, transitional milk, mature milk, and involutional milk were determined using a neuraminidase assay kit and the ferrozine method, respectively in 88 lactating women (58 Term, 30 Preterm). RESULTS: The mean (SD) sialic acid levels of colostrum, transitional milk, mature milk, and involutional milk were 2201.4 (676.6) mg/L, 1445.9 (423.4) mg/L, 395.3 (96.0) mg/L and 273.0 (76.9) mg/L, respectively. The median iron content were 0.05 mg/L, 0.06 mg/L, 0.25 mg/L and 0.35 mg/L, respectively, in successive stages of lactation. Sialic acid and iron were significantly higher in breast milk of preterm mothers compared to term mothers. CONCLUSION: Sialic acid and iron content in breast milk vary greatly throughout the lactation stages, which probably reflects the infants' needs for growth and development at different stages.