Ganoderma lucidum and Hypericum perforatum Exhibit Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Anti-Androgen Effect in Rat Model of Experimental Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic inflammation is considered to be of key importance in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) and Hypericum perforatum (HP) have been reported to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. We studied the effects of these agents on ovarian tissue in a rat model of experimental PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 6 groups with 7 animals in each group as listed below: Group 1: Control, Group 2: PCOS, Group 3: PCOS + HP, Group 4: HP only, Group 5: PCOS+ GLP, Group 6: GLP only. At the end of the experimental procedures, all the animals underwent bilateral oophorectomy and blood samples were collected. Ovarian tissue and blood samples were used for biochemical and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Follicle degeneration in the PCOS group showed a statistically significant increase compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Cystic follicles were significantly reduced in the PCOS+GLP and PCOS+HP groups as compared to the PCOS group. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were elevated in PCOS rats (p < 0.01). Levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were diminished (p < 0.01). Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were increased in PCOS rats as compared to the other groups (p < 0.02, p < 0.02, respectively). GLP supplementation diminished the levels of IGF-1 and MDA. GLP or HP supplementation increased reduced glutathione (GSH). CONCLUSION: GLP and HP treatment normalizes SHBG levels while correcting PCOS-induced hyperandrogenemia. Both herbs regulate the redox balance by decreasing the levels of MDA and increasing the level of GSH.

Perspectives and Knowledge about Fertility Preservation Strategies among Female Cancer Patients in Turkey.

Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge level and perspectives of female cancer patients regarding fertility preservation techniques before gonadotoxic treatment. Material and Methods. This was a prospective observational survey-based study conducted between 2016 and 2020 in Izmir Economy University Medical Park Hospital. A total of 150 female cancer patients aged 18-42 years were included. The participants completed a 17-item questionnaire, developed by the research team to evaluate their knowledge and perspectives on fertility preservation techniques. Results: The mean age of the patients was 39.5 ± 4.9 years. Only 64.7% of the patients were referred to fertility counseling by a gynecologist, while 72.6% of the patients knew of the risk of infertility after cancer treatment. There was a significant correlation between the health status and cancer stage of the patient (p=0.003). The estimated future chance of becoming pregnant spontaneously or through fertility preservation techniques was significantly higher in patients with a higher education level (p=0.041 or 0.008, respectively). Satisfaction with the counseling process was reported as high or low by 66.7% or 20% of the patients, respectively. Conclusions: The rate of referral of reproductive-age cancer patients to fertility preservation counseling is still not satisfactory. Education level was the only variable significantly associated with a motivation to become pregnant after cancer treatment, either spontaneously or through fertility preservation techniques.

Outcomes of vaginal hysterectomy and constricting colporrhaphy with concurrent levator myorrhaphy and high perineorrhaphy in women older than 75 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: We performed constricting anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, levator myorrhaphy, and high perineorrhaphy with concurrent hysterectomy, and investigated the intraoperative complications, and short-term outcomes of these constricting procedures in patients aged 75 years or older. METHODS: We searched our hospital database for cases, between January 2011 and January 2014, of women aged over 75 years who underwent surgery for pelvic organ prolapse of stage 2 or higher, via vaginal hysterectomy, constricting anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, levator myorrhaphy, and high perineorrhaphy, with or without treatment of urinary incontinence. All volunteers were evaluated via pelvic examination using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system, the modified Decision Regret Scale-Pelvic Floor Disorders form, the Satisfaction Decision Scale-Pelvic Floor Disorders form, and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory form. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up time was 24.4 months after constricting surgery (range: 8-44 months). There were four cases (7%) of de novo urge incontinence (the symptoms resolved upon prescription of anticholinergic medication). Two patients developed de novo stress urinary incontinence after the procedure and were treated via transobturator sling surgery using Safyre T(®) polypropylene monofilament slings. No anatomical or subjective recurrence of prolapse was noted during the follow-up period. No patient required additional surgery for recurrence of prolapse. CONCLUSION: Constricting anterior and posterior colporrhaphy, levator myorrhaphy, and high perineorrhaphy with concurrent hysterectomy is a feasible, safe, and effective surgical option in elderly patients at low anesthesiological risk. The decision to perform an incontinence procedure should be individualized based on preoperative findings after prolapse reduction.

Outcomes of Transobturator Tape Surgery with Safyre T® Slings for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence after 96 Months of Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To report the outcomes of transobturator tape (TOT) surgery with Safyre T® (Promedon, Argentina) slings for female stress urinary incontinence (SUI) at a 96- month follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a clinical follow-up study of 153 patients diagnosed with SUI between January 2005 and December 2014. Patients were provided with detailed a priori information pertaining to the TOT procedure and were invited to attend follow-up visits at 1, 3, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 months. Follow-up visits included physical examination involving sling palpation, checking of the vaginal mucosa for erosion, cough test, as well as validated Urinary Distress Inventory-6 (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) questionnaires. RESULTS: The overall objective success rates, based on cough test results, were 91.3% at 12 months, 86.8% at 48 months and 77.6% at 96 months. Similarly, the overall subjective success rate, based on the validated UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scales, was 77.6% at 96 months. CONCLUSION: The cure rates achieved, following TOT treatment of SUI at 1-year follow-up, showed a statistically significant decline over an 8-year period, especially at months 48 and 96. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Perioperative and postoperative complications after Ophira mini sling operations.

AIM: To evaluate perioperative and postoperative complications of mini sling operations in the surgical treatment of female urinary incontinence. METHODS: The study was comprised of 151 female patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or mixed incontinence (MUI) with predominant SUI patients who underwent the mini sling procedure. The duration of the follow-up ranged from 6 to 21 months. All women had positive cough stress tests preoperatively. The procedure was performed under local (86.1 %) or spinal anesthesia (13.9 %) with the same mini slings for all cases. Patients were examined in the outpatient clinic at 1 and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The mean age was 49 years old (SD 10) with a range of 26-82. Of the 151 patients, 42 (27.8 %) presented MUI, while 109 (72.2 %) presented SUI. Mean parity was 3 ± 1. Mean body mass index was 28.9 ± 3.5. 60 (39.7 %) of the cases were postmenopausal. There were 73 women who participated in 6 months follow-ups and 78 women who did 1-year follow-ups. The mean operating time was 13 ± 3.1 min. There were no major intraoperative complications due to mini sling surgery. 120 (79.5 %) patients were discharged the day following the surgery. Ten patients (6.1 %) had de novo urge incontinence in their post-operative follow-ups which was resolved using anti-cholinergic drugs. Two patients (1.2 %) required sling sections due to prolonged bladder outlet obstruction. There were 15 patients that complained about de novo dyspareunia (9.9 %). Vaginal mesh extrusion was reported in 18 (11.9 %) patients. The mean preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin concentrations were 12.9 ± 1.3 and 12.5 ± 1.3 g/dL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mini sling system can be considered an easy and effective method for treating stress urinary incontinence without major complication rates.