Reduced mitochondrial DNA copy number is associated with the haplogroup, and some clinical features of breast cancer in Mexican patients.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups have been associated with different types of cancer, including breast cancer, because they alter cellular energy metabolism. However, whether mtDNA copy number or haplogroups are predictors of oxidative stress-related risks in human breast cancer tissue in Mexican patients remains to be determined. Using quantitative real-time PCR assays and sequencing of the mtDNA hypervariable region, analysis of mtDNA copy numbers in 82 breast cancer tissues (BCT) and matched normal adjacent tissues (NAT) was performed to determine if copy number correlated with clinical features and Amerindian haplogroups (A2, B2, B4, C1 and D1) . The results showed that the mtDNA copy number was significantly decreased in BCT compared with NAT (p = 0.010); it was significantly decreased in BCT and NAT in women > 50 years of age, compared with NAT in women < 50 years of age (p = 0.032 and p = 0.037, respectively); it was significantly decreased in NAT and BCT in the postmenopausal group and in BCT in the premenopausal group compared with NAT in the premenopausal group (p = 0.011, p = 0.010 and, p = 0.018; respectively); and it was also significantly decrease in members of the BCT group classified as having invasive ductal carcinoma I-III (IDC-I, IDC-II and IDC-III) and IDC-II for NAT compared to IDC-I of NAT (p = 0.025, p = 0.022 and p = 0.031 and p = 0.020; respectively). The mtDNA copy number for BCT from patients with haplogroup B2 was decreased compared to patients with haplogroup D1 (p = 0.01); for BCT from patients with haplogroup C1 was also decreased compare with their NAT counterpart (p = 0.006) and with BCT patients belonging to haplogroups A2 and D1 (p = 0.01 and p = 0.03; respectively). In addition, the mtDNA copy number was decrease in the sequences with three deletions relative to the rCRS at nucleotide positions A249del, A290del and A291del, or C16327T polymorphism with the same p = 0.019 for all four variants. Contrary, the copy number increased in sequences containing C16111T, G16319A or T16362C polymorphisms (p = 0.021, =0.048, and = 0.001; respectively). In conclusion, a decrease in the copy number of mtDNA in BCT compared with NAT was shown by the results, which suggests an imbalance in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) that can affect the apoptosis pathway and cancer progression. It was also observed an increase of the copy number in samples with specific polymorphisms, which may be a good sign of favourable prognosis.

Cerebroplacental ratio as a predictor of adverse neonatal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies / Índice cerebroplacentario como predictor de resultados neonatales adversos en embarazos de alto riesgo

Objective: To determine the value of the fetal cerebroplacental ratio in predicting adverse neonatal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies. Material and methods: We performed a prospective, observational study at Centro Médico Internacional La Raza hospital, Mexico City, Mexico. Fetal biometry and Doppler pulsatility indices of the umbilical and the middle cerebral artery were measured to calculate the cerebroplacental ratio in patients with high-risk pregnancies at term (37-41 weeks) before established labor. The neonatal outcomes recorded were adverse neonatal outcome, adverse respiratory outcome, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal death. The optimal cut-off point for cerebroplacental ratio was determined using receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between the cerebroplacental ratio and adverse neonatal outcomes. SPSS version 24 was used. Results: The study population comprised 67 patients. The incidence of adverse neonatal outcomes was 21%; the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve was 0.807 (95%CI, 0.705-0.908). The optimal cut-off point was 1.89, with a positive predictive value of 50%, negative predictive value of 97.6%, positive likelihood ratio of 3.79 (95%CI, 2.19-6.54), and a negative likelihood ratio 0.09 (95%CI, 0.02-0.38). In addition, fetuses with a low cerebroplacental ratio had a higher incidence of adverse respiratory outcome and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (p<0.001 and p=0.026). There were no neonatal deaths. Conclusions: Cerebroplacental ratio was a good predictor of adverse neonatal outcomes in high-risk pregnancies, with an optimal cut-off point of 1.89 for this population. This parameter enables us to identify fetuses at high risk for these complications and could therefore prove useful in the antepartum assessment

Objetivo: determinar el valor predictivo del índice cerebroplacentario de resultados neonatales adversos (RNA) en embarazos de alto riesgo. Material y métodos: estudio prospectivo, observacional en el hospital La Raza, Ciudad de México, México. Se evaluó la biometría fetal y los índices de pulsatilidad de la arteria cerebral media y umbilical para calcular el índice cerebroplacentario en pacientes con embarazos de alto riesgo a término (37- 41 semanas) antes de la resolución del mismo. Se evaluaron los RNA, resultados respiratorios adversos (RRA), ingreso a la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (UCIN) y muerte neonatal. Mediante Curvas de Características Operacionales (ROC) se determinó el punto de corte óptimo del índice cerebroplacentario, y mediante regresión logística se evaluó la asociación entre el índice cerebroplacentario y los RNA. Se utilizó SPSS versión 24. Resultados: Se evaluaron 67 pacientes, la incidencia de RNA fue de 21%; El área bajo la curva ROC fue 0,807 (IC del 95%: 0,705-0,908). El punto de corte óptimo fue 1,89: valor predictivo positivo 50%, valor predictivo negativo 97,6%, razón de verosimilitud positiva 3,79 (IC del 95%: 2,19-6,54) y razón de verosimilitud negativa 0,09 (IC 95% 0,02-0,38). Los fetos con bajo índice cerebroplacentario tuvieron una mayor incidencia de RRA e ingreso a UCIN (p <0,001 y p = 0,026). No hubo muertes neonatales. Conclusiones: El índice cerebroplacentario fue buen predictor de RNA en embarazos de alto riesgo, con un punto de corte óptimo de 1,89 para esta población. Este parámetro permite identificar fetos de alto riesgo, sugiriendo su utilidad en la evaluación anteparto

[Contraception in women with chronic diseases]. / Anticoncepción en mujeres con enfermedades crónicas.

BACKGROUND: Almost 10% of women in reproductive age had a chronic disease, and contraception is frequently ignored by these patients. The lack of use of contraceptives methods has a higher repercussion in these patients; if pregnant, the risk is increased in morbidity and feto-maternal mortality. OBJECTIVES: to know the contraceptive coverage in women with chronic degenerative diseases, the kind of contraceptive methods and the unsatisfied demand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study was made with the application of a survey from the one elaborated by the IMSS. It explores contraception socio-demographic data, causes of non-protection and also explores Medical Doctor (MD) participation. Sample size was calculated in 385 women in reproductive age with a chronic disease. RESULTS: 428 women about 30-49 years old were interviewed, 53% of them were married, they had various diseases, the contraceptive coverage was 84%. The definitive methods were the most used with 47%, followed by the condom with 20%, intrauterine device with 13% and others in minor proportion. 38.5% of patients with sexual life have risk of pregnancy for lack of use of method or for using one of low effectiveness and continuity. Of 45 (16%) patients with sexual life that did not use methods, 29% because they wish pregnancy, 18% by collateral effects and the rest for other causes. From this same patients 21 wished getting pregnant and 24 did not, this is an unsatisfied demand of 53%. The MD's informed about risks in case of pregnancy of 83.4% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The contraceptive coverage is low and the unsatisfied demand is higher than in the general population. It requires the effective participation of health personal in this group of high reproductive risk.

[Interactions between markers of endothelial damage (homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine) and antioxidants and B-vitamins in preeclamptic women]. / Interacción entre los marcadores de daño endotelial (homocisteóna y dimetilarginina asimétrica) con las vitaminas antioxidantes y del grupo B en pacientes con preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-related pathological condition triggered by an abnormal placentation which produces endothelial dysfunction (ED). ED, in turn, is associated with an increase in homocysteine (hcy) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA); these molecules are also increased when some of the B-vitamins are deficient. It is unclear whether increases in hcy and ADMA during preeclampsia are the result of ED, or the consequence of a B-vitamin deficiency. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate hcy, ADMA, folic acid (FA), vitamin B6 and B2 concentrations in patients with preeclampsia. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design 19 patients with severe preeclamp- sia (preeclampsia) and 57 with normal pregnancy (no-preeclampsia), paired by gestational age and body mass index, were studied. Plasma hcy, ADMA, FA and vitamins B6 and B12 were determined. Non-parametric statistics was used for between-groups comparisons and regression analyses to evaluate interactions among molecules. RESULTS: 72% of women were vitamin B deficient, 40% were deficient of B12 and 4% of FA. Preeclamptic patients presented hcy and ADMA concentrations higher than no-preeclamptic ones. Inferential analyses demonstrated that: hcy and ADMA are increased during preeclampsia independently from vitamins blood concentration; that the risk for pre- eclampsia is associated with high hcy but not with vitamins deficiency; and that the ratio L-arginine:ADMA decreases the preeclampsia risk. CONCLUSION: In patients with preeclampsia, increases of hcy and ADMA are associated with ED, but not with deficiency of the vitamins involved in their metabolism.

[Functionality and endometrial changes associated with induction ovulation with citrate of clomifene and recombinant FSH in infertile women]. / Funcionalidad y cambios endometriales asociados con la inducción de ovulación con citrato de clomifeno y FSH recombinante en mujeres con infertilidad.

It has been reported that infertility affects approximately 20% of couples in reproductive age around the world. Although many factors involved, ovulatory dysfunction and particularly the hypothalamus pituitary dysfunction are quite common. The first line treatment for these pathologies consists on the administration of inducing ovulation agents such as recombinant gonadotropins and clomiphene citrate which it was obtained high rates of ovulation but not of pregnancy. So determine the effect of these treatments on the endometrium at morphological and molecular level is very important to understand the female reproductive physiology and optimize clinical strategies to obtain better pregnancy rates after treatments. In this paper we detailed the studies that have reported changes at the molecular and morphological level in human endometrium.

[Insulin resistance frecuency in women's with polycystic ovary syndrome using hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp]. / Frecuencia de resistencia a la insulina en pacientes con síndrome de ovario poliqulstico con el clamp hiperinsulinémico euglucémico.

OBJECTIVE: To assess IR in PCOS patients, using the HE-clamp as the IR gold standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A transversal design was done. All patients who accepted to participate provided written informed consent. PCOS was diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria. IR was assessed using the H-clamp, and other IR surrogates such as; fasting plasma insulin (FPI), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and insulin/ glucose rate (I/G rate). Statistical analysis was performed using measures of location and spread was used according to data distribution. RESULTS: 21 patients were included. The mean age of the total group studied was 29.5 +/- 4.8 years, and the body mass index (BMI) was 27.2 +/- 3.08 kg/m2. The 85.7% of the patients met the three Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. According to the HE clamp 95.2% were IR (M/I value < 6 mg/Kg/min), in contrast the prevalence of IR using sur- rogates was 47.6%, 33.3%, and 66.6% for FPI, G/I rate, and HOMA index respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that IR is highly prevalent in patients with PCOS, and that this prevalence is even higher when insulin sensitivity is assessed using the glucose clamp technique. This evidence suggests that IR could be considered diagnostic criteria for PCOS.

PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with improved lipoprotein lipase functioning in adipose tissue of insulin resistant obese women.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a pivotal role in lipid metabolism, contributes to metabolic disorders related to insulin action and body weight regulation, and is influenced by inflammation. The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ2 gene seems to influence LPL functioning, but its role in obesity and insulin resistance status, which usually coexist in the clinical setting, has not been explored. Our aim was to analyze the association of obesity and insulin resistance with adipose LPL activity and expression, and the influence of the PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 58 reproductive-age women who underwent elective abdominal surgery. Free-fatty acids, glucose, insulin, and selected adipokines were measured in fasting blood samples. DNA was isolated and the polymorphism genotyped. Biopsies of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained during surgery were used to determine enzymatic LPL activity and expression; and expression of selected cytokines. Overweight/obese women presented lower LPL activity (P=0.022) and higher circulating TNF-α (P=0.020) than controls. Insulin resistant women also showed borderline lower LPL activity than non-resistant (P=0.052), but adiposity and inflammatory molecules were comparable. Nevertheless, LPL activity was higher in Pro12Ala carriers than in non-carriers after adjusting for obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation. Likewise, adipose LPL expression was increased in carriers while expression of cytokines was decreased. Our data suggest that insulin resistance is associated with low adipose LPL activity independently of obesity, but the PPARγ2 Pro12Ala polymorphism seems to protect the LPL functioning of obese insulin resistant women, likely through regulating inflammation in adipose tissue.

[Insulin sensitivity in patients not responding to ovulation induction using clomiphene citrate]. / Sensibilidad a la insulina en pacientes con falta de respuesta a la inducción de ovulación con citrato de clomifeno.

BACKGROUND: The role of insulin resistance (IR) of infertile patients with chronic anovulation in their therapeutic failure to clomiphene citrate (CC) is not quite clear. OBJECTIVE: Determine the sensitivity to insulin in patients with chronic anovulation and failure to the treatment with clomiphene citrate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional clinical study in infertile patients with clomiphene citrate resistance and in patients with adequate response to clomiphene citrate was carried out. In all patients insulin resistance was determined by the rate of glucose/insulin, HOMA (Homestatic Model Assessment) and the insulin sensitivity test. For the inferential statistical analysis, a Student's t test for independent samples was used. RESULTS: The average total basal insulin was 19.6 +/- 8.1 microU/mL. We observed higher concentrations in the clomiphene citrate resistance group (22.1 +/- 8.9 vs. 15.8 +/- 5.1 mU/mL p = 0.07). The glucose/insulin rate was statistically minor in patients with resistance to clomiphene citrate (4.2 +/- 1.9 versus 6.9 +/- 2.1 p = 0.02), but HOMA was not significantly different in both groups (4.3 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.9 +/- 1.3 p = 0.6). The total rate of glucose disappearance (KIIT) was 4.1 +/- 1.2. However, the statistical analysis did not show significant statistical differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results suggest that insulin resistance can be a mechanism involved in the pharmacologic response to ovulation induction in infertile patients, but coexisting pathophysiological mechanisms such as hyperandrogenism might also account for the lack of response to clomiphene citrate.

Breast cancer quality of life evaluation in Mexican Women at La Raza Hospital, Mexico City: A preliminary approach.

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of death among Mexican women over 40 years of age. This study aimed to identify and examine the effects of cancer stage and surgical treatment on the quality of life (QOL) of Mexican women with early stage breast cancer (ESBC) treated with either modified radical mastectomy (MRM) or breast conservative surgery (BCS), plus adjuvant chemotherapy. The QLQ-C30 and QLQ BR-23 questionnaires were used to assess QOL. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors of 102 women with early BC were also evaluated; analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and a statistical significance of p < 0.05 was assumed. Most women were of reproductive age. Meaningful differences in QOL as a result of surgical treatment, in women receiving BCS compared with those receiving MRM, were limited to body image. We conclude that MRM and BCS are essentially equivalent choices in terms of QOL, with the exception of the impact on body image. In general, women who received BCS had a better perceived QOL.

[Clinical aptitude of residents that attend patients with the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia]. / Aptitud clínica de médicos residentes en la atención de pacientes con neoplasia intraepitelial cervical.

OBJECTIVE: To build, validate and apply an instrument to evaluate the clinical aptitude in intraepitelial cervical neoplasia (ICN) in residents. METHODS: The instrument included four clinical real cases, validated by experts and included 106 items using true, false and don't know answers. A pilot test and the 21 Kuder-Richardson formula were used to estimate consistency. It was applied to residents, in an observational, transversal, comparative and open study, including 11 second year residents, 13 third year residents and 12 fourth year residents. RESULTS: Consistency of 0.88 was obtained; 22% were located in the middle level, 39% were located in the low level and 39% in the very low level. There were no residents in the high or very high level or by chance answer level. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences among the three groups and with the U test of Mann Whitney there were no differences between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The year of residence did not show differences in the development of clinical aptitude in ICN. Most of the residents were located in the inferior level of clinical aptitude. This study makes evident the need to reframe our educative processes in a qualitative different manner.

[TNF-alpha, C-reactive protein and serum adiponectin modified in infertile patients with insulin resistance]. / Alteración del factor de necrosis tumoral-alpha, proteína C reactiva y adiponectina séricas en pacientes infértiles con resistencia a la insulina.

BACKGROUND: Women's reproductive potential is closely related to nutritional status. Some of the molecules that participate in ovarian regulation are produced in the adipose tissue, and therefore their production is associated with adiposity. OBJECTIVE: To determine serum leptin, adiponectin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in infertile women with or without insulin resistance; and to associate these molecules with adiposity. METHODS: Thirty-one infertile women were included. Nutritional status was evaluated through clinical and biochemical parameters. Patients were stratified according with their body mass index and the presence of insulin resistance. For statistics, parametric analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight was 67.5%; high adiposity was present in 92.3% and central distribution of fat in 96.2% of studied women. Hypercholesterolemia was found in 32.3% of patients, hypertriglyceridemia in 25.8%, and 61.3% presented hyperinsulinemia. Overweight women presented lower adiponectin, and higher TNF-alpha and C-reactive protein concentrations, than those with normal body mass index (p < 0.05). Overweight women had also a higher probability for insulin resistance (p = 0.04). These women with insulin resistance presented lower adiponectin and higher C-reactive protein concentrations than non insulin resistance women. Body mass index correlated with leptin (r= 0.41), TNF-alpha (r= 0.41), and C-reactive protein (r= 0.33) concentrations. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight, high adiposity, dislipidemias, and IR was high in our population studied. We conclude that adiposity is closely associated with some of the molecules that participate in the reproductive process and that also regulate inflammatory responses.

[Diagnostic and frequency of fetal heart disease by echocardiography in pregnancies with high-risk factors]. / Diagnóstico y frecuencia de cardiopatía fetal mediante ecocardiografía en embarazos con factores de alto riesgo.

BACKGROUND: Fetal heart diseases are increasingly frequent. These are part of birth defects and, therefore, appear in early phases of the gestation. Diagnosis or early detection of functional and structural abnormalities of the heart allows to the obstetrician and the pediatric cardiologist to plan, in a timely manner, the treatment and prenatal and postnatal monitoring with the purpose of preventing complications. OBJECTIVE: To determine the types and frequencies of heart diseases in pregnancies with high-risk factors. PATIENTS AND METHOD: It was analized an observational, descriptive and retrospective series of cases. From January 2003 to June 2006, fetal echocardiograms were made in women with pregnancies longer than 15 weeks and with high-risk factors. At childbirth was made a cardiovascular evaluation. Analysis was carried out through descriptive statistics. RESULTS: maternal age average was of 27.3 +/- 6.8 years; gestational age was of 31 +/- 5 weeks. In total, there were carried out 275 fetal echocardiograms (FE) in 208 patients; in 56 of them, was made one fetal ecocardiogram, two in 37 and three in 15. Risk factors of reference to the specialized medical unit were: abnormalities detected through obstetrical ultrasound (35.1%), tachycardia-bradycardia-arrhythmia (29.8%), probable chromosomic anomalies (13.9%), oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios (4.8%), familiar antecedents of congenital heart diseases (3.8%), others (12.6%). Heart disease was diagnosed by fetal echocardiogram in 55 patient (26.4%): unique ventricle (n = 5), hypoplastic right ventricle (n = 3), hypoplastic left ventricle (n = 4), congenital complete heart block (n = 1), Ebstein and dysplasia of the mitral and tricuspid valves (n = 12), tumor (n = 5), ectopia cordis (n = 2), auriculoventricular channel (= 1), supraventricular tachycardia (n = 4), supraventricular extrasystole (n = 3) and other. Diagnosis was confirmed at childbirth in 99.5% of the cases. The treatment was initiated in uterus for arrhythmia and cardiac insufficiency in 19 patients. The patients with high-risk cardiopathy (at birth) were evaluated at beginning through specialized cardiological treatment and then they were transferred to the service of pediatric cardiology. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of fetal heart diseases in patients with high-risk factors is of 25.4%. In these patients, the fetal echocardiogram (prenatal and postnatal) allows planning the optimal cardiological and obstetric treatment as well as to inform to the relatives.

[Serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in infertile patients with ovarian dysfunction]. / Concentraciones séricas de IL-1beta, IL-6 y TNF-alpha en pacientes infértiles con disfunción ovárica.

BACKGROUND: Some cytokines that take part in the ovarian cycle regulation, such as IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha play an important role during growth and development of ovarian follicle. Quantification of some cytokines is promissory in the work-up of ovarian reproductive pathology. OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in infertile patients with ovarian dysfunction and to compare them with those found in ovulatory patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study in infertile patients with premature ovarian failure, diminished ovarian reserve, chronic anovulation and ovulatory patients that were well-characterized by clinical and hormonal parameters. We determined serum concentrations of IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha by an ELISA method. Statistics was conducted by using one way ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis and Pearson correlation analyses. RESULTS: We studied a total of forty patients. The mean age was 30 years; we did not find significant differences among groups. Overall mean of cytokines concentration was: 13.2 pg/mL for IL-1beta; 8.4 pg/mL for IL-6; and 1.5 pg/mL for TNF-alpha. We observed a significant difference in the concentration of TNF-alpha in the premature ovarian failure group when it was compared to the control group. Pearson correlation coefficients were no significant. CONCLUSION: A wide range of dispersion of serum cytokines concentration was observed. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha in woman with premature ovarian failure were significantly lower than those in the control group. Our findings represent a precedent in the powerful utility of the quantification of these cytokines in reproductive medicine.

Apoptosis ovárica / Ovarian apoptosis

La apoptosis o muerte celular programada es uno de los principales mecanismos de pérdida tisular. Es un proceso activo de pérdida celular, que participa de manera directa en la homeostasis tisular a lo largo de la vida. Además, el proceso apoptósico es un evento clave dentro de la patología del desarrollo tumoral. El proceso apoptósico es de naturaleza génica y es desencadenado por factores externos. Los ejecutores de la apoptosis son las caspasas y el resultado final es la muerte celular específica. El equilibrio proliferación/muerte celular, está determinado por factores de sobrevida y por promotores de la pérdida celular entre los cuales se encuentran: reguladores génicos, hormonas, citocinas, y factores de crecimiento. En el ovario, la apoptosis regula la proliferación y diferenciación folicular. Durante la embriogénesis, la población de ovogonias parece estar mediada por apoptosis y durante el ciclo ovárico la apoptosis participa de manera conjunta en el proceso de atresia folicular. Probablemente la apoptosis sea uno de los eventos que participan de manera directa en la atresia folicular acelerada, que se ha hipotetizado sea uno de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos involucrados en la falla ovárica prematura. Aún hace falta aclarar el papel que juega la apoptosis en algunos eventos patológicos reproductivos como son: anovulación crónica, baja reserva ovárica y disfunción ovárica temprana. El conocimiento del papel que guarda la apoptosis en estas patologías, contribuirá a comprender mejor la fisiología ovárica y probablemente en un futuro próximo nos permitirá intervenir tempranamente en la historia natural de la enfermedad.La apoptosis o "muerte celular programada" forma parte de los mecanismos de equilibrio celular. El término fue utilizado primeramente para describir los cambios morfológicos que ocurren durante la muerte celular en diferentes tejidos. La apoptosis es un fenómeno universal presente en todos los seres vivos y que ocurre a lo largo de la vida. Conjuntamente con la mitosis, mantiene la homeostasis tisular. Además, la apoptosis juega un papel crucial en algunos eventos patológicos como lo es el desarrollo tumoral. En el presente trabajo se revisan algunos de los mecanismos básicos del proceso apoptósico y su vinculación con el crecimiento y desarrollo ovárico a lo largo de la vida en la mujer.

Molde vaginal flexible recubierto de celulosa oxidada: una opción quirúrgica en neovagina en pacientes con síndrome de Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser / Flexible vaginal mould covered with oxided cellulose: a surgical option in patients with Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome

Las alteraciones en la diferenciación de los derivados mullerianos y el seno urogenital es motivo común de consulta en ginecología. La agenesia e hipoplasia vaginal representan algunas alteraciones patológicas de la diferenciación sexual humana. El manejo de estos trastornos está supeditado a la magnitud del daño anatómico y a las repercusiones biopsicosociales que trae consigo esta patología. Desde la perspectiva histórica, se han descrito diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas de neovagina para corregir este tipo de alteraciones. Nosotros presentamos la experiencia obtenida en los últimos años en el manejo quirúrgico y los resultados estéticofuncionales de pacientes con agenesia vaginal atendidas en un Hospital de alta especialidad del Sector Salud en la Ciudad de México. El motivo de consulta en estas pacientes fue fundamentalmente amenorrea primaria, alteraciones anatómicas y disfunción sexual. El rango de edad fluctuó entre los 19 a 28 años. Se efectuaron estudios básicos de laboratorio y gabinete que incluyeron urografía excretora, cariotipo y laparoscopia. En todos los casos se contó con apoyo del servicio de psicología. El diagnóstico en estas pacientes fue síndrorne de Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser con agenesia de los dos tercios superiores de vagina. Se efectuó neovagina asistida por laparoscopia con modificaciones de la técnica previamente descrita. Y utilizamos un molde vaginal flexible, así como celulosa oxidada para prevenir la fibrosis y la retracción posquirúrgica. Los resultados cosméticos fueron satisfactorios y la disfunción sexual se corrigió en todas las parejas. La neovagina asistida por laparoscopia con uso de molde vaginal flexible y celulosa oxidada es una opción quirúrgica en pacientes con agenesia e hipoplasia vaginal ya que mejora la estética y esfera sexual, alteradas de manera profunda en estas mujeres.

Citrato de clomifeno y prednisona: un esquema alternativo de manejo en pacientes con anovulación crónica y falla terapéutica al clomifeno / Clomiphen citrate and prednisone: an alternative treatment in chronic anovulatory and clomiphen failure patients

La anovulación crónica es una alteración neuroendocrina frecuente en esterilidad. El manejo farmacológico de esta alteración incluye el uso de inductores de la ovulación. Hasta la fecha el citrato de clomifeno (CC) es uno de los fármacos más utilizados. Su eficacia clínica brinda tasas de ovulación de alrededor de 70 por ciento y el porcentaje de pacientes que no responden serán candidatas de manejo con gonadotropinas con lo que se incrementan los costos y el riesgo de hiperestimulación ovárica así como de embarazo múltiple, lo que limita su generalización terapéutica. Por ello se han ensayado esquemas alternativos de manejo como lo es adicionar dexametasona, con lo que han mejorado las tasas de respuesta, pero su uso ha sido limitado ya que sus efectos colaterales sobrepasan sus beneficios. Se ha propuesto que la administración conjunta de prednisona a lo largo del ciclo y CC en días fijos, mejoran las tasas de respuesta con pocos efectos colaterales. Con el fin de probar su eficacia clínica en nuestra población utilizamos CC + prednisona en una muestra de pacientes con esterilidad y anovulación crónica y falla previa al CC comparándolas con un grupo de pacientes con las mismas características que recibieron sólo CC en ciclos adicionales. Encontramos que en el grupo en el que se adicionó prednisona las tasas de ovulación se incrementaron hasta en 38 por ciento y las de embarazo en 20 por ciento, en contraste con el grupo control en el que la tasa de ovulación fue de 8 por ciento y la de embarazo de 0 por ciento. En todas las pacientes estudiadas la tolerancia medicamentosa fue adecuada y no hubo efectos colaterales asociados al uso de la prednisona. Con estos resultados concluimos que el esquema CC + prednisona es una buena alternativa terapéutica en pacientes con falla previa a inducción de ovulación con el esquema clásico con CC, previamente al uso de gonadotrofinas. Ya que el esquema CC + prednisona mejora las tasas de ovulación y embarazo con buena tolerancia medicamentosa.

Aspectos inmunológicos de la endometriosis / Immunological aspects of endometriosis

Es claro el efecto que la endometriosis en etapas avanzadas tiene sobre la fertilidad, por las alteraciones adherenciales sobre trompas y ovarios; pero es más importante comprender los mecanismos fisiopatológicos por las cuales se presenta la infertilidad en la endometriosis mínima y leve. Aunque se desconoce la causa específica de la endometriosis, los componentes del sistema inmunitario pueden estar afectados y jugar un papel central en la fisiopatogenia de la enfermedad, al alterar el microambiente peritoneal. Por un lado, el aumento de subpoblaciones de leucocitos y su actividad en líquido peritoneal reflejan efectos citotóxicos contra espermatozoides, oocito, interación de gametos y desarrollo embrionario temprano. Por otro lado, la secreción de citocinas y factores de crecimiento que favorecen o estimulan el crecimiento de focos endometrióticos en un ambiente de ®tolerancia inmunológica¼. Se revisan los aspectos inmunológicos de la endometriosis, incluyendo las vías paracrina o autocrina de comunicación entercelular

Frecuencia de embarazos después de tratamiento microquirúrgico en pacientes estériles por enfermedad adherencial tuboovárica / Frequency of pregnancy after microsurgical treatment in sterile patients by tuboovarian adherencial disease

En los últimos años la enfermedad adherencial de los anexos se ha incrementado debido principalmente al aumento en la frecuencia de infecciones pélvicas lo que origina, de acuerdo con la localización, naturaleza y extensión de las lesiones, problemas de esterilidad. En este trabajo se informan los resultados obtenidos en 70 pacientes con esta enfermedad en las que se realizó salpingo-ovariolisis microquirúrgica con el propósito de corregir su esterilidad. Todas las pacientes recibieron rutinariamente medidas adyuvantes en el pre, trans y posoperatorio inmediato (heparina, corticoides y antimicrobianos). El tiempo mínimo de observación posoperatoria fue de seis meses. En 27 de las 70 enfermas (38.6 por ciento) las adherencias eran laxas (IA y IIA de Hulka), en tanto que en 43 (61.4 por ciento) estas adherencias eran densas y vascularizadas (IB y IIB de Hulka). En el primer grupo se obtuvieron 15 embarazos (20.9 por ciento), cinco de término y cuatro abortos