Analysis of estrogen and progesterone receptor gene polymorphisms in leiomyoma.

BACKGROUND: Leiomyoma, one of the most common benign tumors, causes morbidity during the reproductive years in women. The molecular pathogenesis of the disease is not clear. Leiomyomas are hormone-sensitive tumors affecting around 20%-25% of women. Gene polymorphism studies could be important and explaining in the evaluation of multifactorial diseases such as leiomyoma. Polymorphisms involving genes responsible for the synthesis and signalization of steroid hormones could be used as genetic markers for hormone-related conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of ERα-351 XbaI A/G, ERα-397 PvuII T/C, and progesterone receptor (PGR) PROGINS polymorphisms on the development of leiomyomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 213 samples (103 leiomyoma patients and 110 healthy controls) participated. The ERα-351 XbaI A/G and ERα-397 PvuII T/C gene polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP method. PGR PROGINS polymorphism was analyzed by PCR method with specific primers. RESULTS: The genotype distribution and allele frequency of the ERα-351 XbaI A/G, ERα-397 PvuII T/C, and PGR PROGINS polymorphisms were not statistically different between leiomyoma patient and control groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study reflects that ERα and PGR PROGINS polymorphisms may not be one of the many genetic factors for leiomyoma susceptibility.

The Evaluation of IL6 and ESR1 Gene Polymorphisms in Primary Dysmenorrhea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological complaint with painful menstrual cramps in pelvis without any pathology. It affects about half of menstruating women, and it causes significant disruption in quality of life. We investigated the association between IL6 gene promoter and ESR1 gene XbaI and PvuII polymorphisms and primary dysmenorrhea. In this case-control study, 152 unrelated young women with primary dysmenorrhea and 150 unrelated healthy age-matched controls participated. Genomic DNA was isolated and IL6 and ESR1 gene polymorphisms were genotyped using PCR-based RFLP assay. The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of IL6 gene promoter and ESR1 gene XbaI polymorphisms were not statistically different between patients and controls (p > 0.05). However, the genotype and allele frequencies of ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism showed statistically significant differences between primary dysmenorrhea patients and controls (p = 0.009 and p = 0.021, respectively). Statistically significant associations were also observed between age and married status of primary dysmenorrhea patients and ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism (p = 0.044 and p = 0.023, respectively). In combined genotype analyses, AG at ESR1 XbaI and TC at ESR1 PvuII loci encoded a p-value of 0.027. Thus, individuals who are heterozygote at both loci have a lower risk of developing primary dysmenorrhea. Our study suggests no strong association between IL6 gene promoter and ESR1 gene XbaI polymorphisms and primary dysmenorrhea in Turkish women. However, ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism showed statistically significant differences between primary dysmenorrhea patients and controls. The potential association between ESR1 gene PvuII polymorphism and age and married status of dysmenorrhea patients deserves further consideration.

Effects of carvedilol on an ischemia/reperfusion model: Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. METHODS: An ovarian I/R model was applied to rats, classified into three groups: 1 (n = 7), sham operated (control); 2 (n = 7), 3 h ischemia + 3 h reperfusion (I/R); 3 (n = 7), 3 h ischemia + CVD + 3 h reperfusion (I/R + CVD). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in ovarian tissues and serum were measured. Tissue damage was examined histopathologically; Bax and caspase-3 expression was determined immunhistochemically. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to show apoptotic cell death. RESULTS: MDA levels in ovarian tissues were significantly increased in the I/R group compared with the control. CVD administration significantly decreased tissue MDA levels in the I/R + CVD in comparison with the I/R group. GSH-Px activities in serum were higher in the I/R + CVD than in the I/R group. SOD activities in tissue and serum were significantly decreased in the I/R compared with the control group. Histological examination showed a significant improvement in ovarian morphology in the I/R + CVD compared with the I/R group. Bax and caspase-3 protein was more strongly expressed in the I/R group compared with the control and I/R + CVD groups. Apoptotic index detected by TUNEL assay was significantly increased in the I/R and decreased in the I/R + CVD group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CVD reduces the deleterious effects of oxidative damage on ovaries in a rat I/R model.

The oxidative/anti-oxidative effects of sevoflurane on reproductive system of females: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: A permanent balance exists between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species in all living organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sevoflurane possibly causing an imbalance in the equation of reactive oxygen species on the female rat reproductive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 adult female Wistar-albino rats were placed into an anesthesia chamber to administer sevoflurane. Rats were randomly divided into six groups, each group consisting of five rats: the control group received 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for seven days; the first group received 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane and 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for seven days; the second group received 1 MAC of sevoflurane and 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for seven days with no treatment for the next seven days; the third group received 1 MAC of sevoflurane and 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for 14 days; the fourth group received 1 MAC of sevoflurane and 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for 14 days with no treatment for the next seven days; and the fifth group received 1 MAC of sevoflurane and 2 L/min O2 18 min/day for 14 days with no treatment for the next 14 days. Bilateral ovaries were subsequently removed for biochemical analysis of tissue anti-oxidative enzyme levels. RESULTS: Slight fluctuations were detected in mean nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2-alpha, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, alginate dialdehyde, and xanthine oxidase levels between the groups; however, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane has no effect on the activity of anti-oxidant systems in the rat ovary.

Opinion of women about elective abortion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of women who presented to the hospital for elective abortion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive study was designed and conducted at our university hospital between March 2013-April 2013 by the method of face-to-face interviews with 500 women who presented to the hospital as patient or relatives of patients. Poll consisted of 6 questions about demographic characteristics and 14 questions evaluating the opinions and attitudes about abortion. RESULTS: The age of the women who participated in the study was ranging between 18 and 75 years with the mean age of 31.5±11.9 years. Twenty-six women (5.2%) were illiterate, while 109 (21.8%) were university graduates. 70.8% of women stated that they were against elective abortion. Among the reasons against abortion on request were: "forbidden by the religion"-53.1% of women, "against human rights"-35.3%, and "unhealthy for the mother"-7.1% of women. About the prohibition of abortion, 82.4% of women said that "it may be performed under necessary conditions", 9.6% "it should be completely forbidden", and 8% stated that "it should never be forbidden". CONCLUSION: A large number of respondents reported that they have negative attitude towards elective abortion, however, in case of medical necessity, abortion should be performed. During the legal arrangements done about situations that may affect the public health, such as abortion regulations, we believe it would be useful to assess the perspective of the society on this issue.