GRP78 levels, regional fat distribution and endometrial cáncer / Niveles de GRP78, distribución regional del tejido adiposo y cáncer endometrial

Background: The association of obesity with endometrial cancer is supported by the presence of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the adipocyte. Glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) is a marker for ER stress. This protein is a central regulator of ER stress due to its major anti-apoptotic role. It plays an important role in tumor development, progression and chemoresistance. Aim: To look for an association between android and gynoid obesity, plasma GRP78 levels and endometrial cancer. Material and methods: Forty four patients with endometrial cancer aged 72 ± 6 years and 44 healthy women aged 55 ± 9 years were studied. Android and gynoid fat distribution were determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry and plasma GRP78 levels were measured. Results: GRP78 plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with endometrial cancer as compared to the control group. Android fat distribution had a positive correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p<0.01). Gynoid fat had a negative correlation with plasma GRP78 levels (p<0.01). Conclusions: GRP78 levels are associated with the distribution of adipose tissue and are higher in patients with endometrial cancer.

Antecedentes: La asociación de obesidad con cáncer endometrial puede depender de la presencia de estrés del retículo endoplásmico (RE) en el adipocito. La proteína 78 regulada por glucosa (GRP78) es un marcador de estrés del RE. Esta proteína regula el estrés de RE gracias a su rol antiaopoptótico. Ella juega un rol en el desarrollo, progresión y quimio-resistencia de tumores. Objetivo: Buscar una asociación entre obesidad androide o ginoide, niveles plasmáticos de GRP78 y cáncer endometrial. Material y métodos: Se estudiaron 44 mujeres con cáncer endometrial de 72 ± 6 años and 44 mujeres sanas de 55 ± 9 años. La distribución androide o ginoide de la grasa fue determinada por densitometría radiológica de doble fotón (DEXA) y se midieron los niveles plasmáticos de GRP78. Resultados: Los niveles de GRP78 fueron significativamente más altos en mujeres con cáncer endometrial. Se observó una correlación positiva entre la distribución de grasa androide y los niveles de GRP78 (p< 0.01). Se observó una correlación negativa entre distribución de grasa ginoide y niveles de GRP78. Conclusiones: Los niveles de GRP78 se correlacionan con la distribución del tejido adiposo y son mayores en mujeres con cáncer endometrial.

Histological changes in the vulva and vagina from ovariectomised rats undergoing oestrogen treatment.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the histological changes occurring in the vagina and vulva in ovariectomised female rats, as well as the response to the administration of injectable oestrogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used 30 female Wistar white rats, distributed as follows: group 1 - the control group, group 2 - the operated but untreated rats, and groups 3, 4 and 5 - operated rats, to which oestrogenic treatment was administered (Estradiol, Estradurin, Sintofolin) at a dosage of 0.2 mg/rat/day. After 14 days of treatment, all animals were sacrificed and vaginal and vulvar biopsies were taken from all groups. RESULTS: In group 2, we encountered structural changes of the vaginal mucosa, with severe atrophy and alterations in the thickness of the vagina and vulva. In groups 3, 4 and 5 we found marked hyperplasia of the vaginal and vulvar epithelium, eosinophilic and mast cell infiltration in the chorion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study proves that the histopathological changes during anoestrus after administration of oestrogens are cell hyperplasia, thickening of the superficial mucosal layer, eosinophilic and mast cells infiltrations, and chorionic congestion. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Estradiol therapy induces the most evident histological changes when compared to synthetic oestrogens such as Estradurin or Sintofolin.

VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR SERUM LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH ADVANCED ENDOMETRIOSIS.

CONTEXT: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, characterized by ectopic deposits of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity, and it is associated with pelvic pain and infertility, with an important impact on the quality of life. At this point there is a controversy regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of endometriosis and it seems that pro-angiogenic growth factors might be involved, but their role is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum concentration of the main growth factors in patients with diagnosed endometriosis compared to healthy controls. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 157 women were divided into two study groups (Group I - endometriosis; Group 2 - healthy women). Serum levels of VEGF, G-CSF, GM-CSF, b-FGF, EGF, and HGF were measured with Human Multiplex Cytokine Panels. RESULTS: VEGF serum levels were significantly lower in women with endometriosis compared to controls (1.924±0.145 compared to 1.806±0.078 pg/mL, p<0.001). Serum levels of GM-CSF, b-FGF, EGF, and HGF respectively did not differ significantly between patients with endometriosis and healthy controls. G-CSF had a very low detection rate. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that VEGF serum levels are significantly lower in endometriosis patients compared to healthy controls, indicating a possible role in endometriosis pathogenesis.

Isolation and characterization of stem cells from the placenta and the umbilical cord.

In addition to its essential role in the development, nutrition and immunological tolerance of the product of conception, human placenta is an important source of stem cells. Over the past years, scientific research has been aimed at isolating and characterizing mesenchymal cells and amniocytes, which show a high plasticity and are found in the chorionic villi and the membranes. At the level of the umbilical cord, two types of stem cells can be found: hematopoietic and mesenchymal. The blood of the umbilical cord is already in the focus of attention of researchers, as an important source of hematopoietic stem cells that can be used for transplantation.