Tissue engineered bulking agent with adipose-derived stem cells and silk fibroin microspheres for the treatment of intrinsic urethral sphincter deficiency.

In this study we developed a tissue engineered bulking agent that consisted of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and silk fibroin microspheres to treat stress urinary incontinence caused by severe intrinsic sphincter deficiency (ISD). ISD models were established by completely transection of the bilateral pudendal nerve (PNT) and confirmed by the decreased leak-point pressure (LPP) and increased lumen area of urethra. Injection of silk fibroin microspheres could recover LPP and lumen area at 4 weeks but its efficacy disappears at 8, 12 weeks. Moreover, it was exciting to find that tissue engineered bulking agent brought long-term efficacy (at 4, 8, 12 weeks post-injection) on the recovery of LPP and lumen area. Concomitantly with the function, tissue engineered bulking agent treated group also improved the urethral sphincter structure as exhibited by better tissue regeneration. The findings showed that silk fibroin microspheres alone could work effectively in short-term, while tissue engineered bulking agent that combined silk fibroin microspheres with ADSCs exhibited promising long-term efficacy. This study developed a new strategy of tissue engineered bulking agent for future ISD therapy.

Effects of a Chinese medicinal plant Radix astragali on the ovariectomized female rats.

Perimenopausal syndrome occurs during the transition to menopause. Complementary and alternative medicine, especially Chinese medicinal plants, has manifested significant effects in alleviating perimenopausal symptoms. However, little research has been focused on the effects of Chinese medicinal plant on the immune function of the perimenopausal women. The present study aimed to explore the effects of Radix Astragali (RA) on the sex hormone levels and the interleukins of the ovariectomized female rats. 24 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into model control group (MOD group), sham-operation group (SHAM group), RA group and estrogen group (EST group). After all the treatment ended, the serum levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were measured using enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) and the uterus was removed and weighed after blood exsanguinations immediately. In the MOD group, the serum levels of E2 were significantly lower, and the serum levels of FSH and LH were markedly higher than those of the RA group, EST group and SHAM group (P<0.05). In the RA group, the serum levels of E2 were significantly lower, and the serum levels of FSH were markedly higher than those of the SHAM group and EST group, respectively. In the MOD group, the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-8 were significantly lower than those of the RA group, EST group and SHAM group (P<0.05), and no marked differences existed among RA group, EST group and SHAM group in the serum levels of IL-2 and IL-8 (P>0.05). The uterine weight of the rats in the RA group, EST group and SHAM group were significantly higher than those of the rats in MOD group (P<0.05). There were no marked differences among the rats from RA group, EST group and SHAM group on the uterine weight (P>0.05). It is concluded that RA can significantly improve the immune functions of the ovariectomized female rats, although it cannot change the sex hormones levels as significantly as estrogen.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Patrinia villosa and its mechanism on the proinflammatory cytokines of rats with pelvic inflammation.

This study explores the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of Patrinia villosa, a Chinese medicinal plant, and to explore its effects on the proinflammatory cytokines of the rats with pelvic inflammation model. The animals were randomly divided into Patrinia villosa group (PV group), dexamethasone group (DEX group), and model-control group (CON group) to perform an ear edema test, a carrageenin-induced paw edema test, a cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation test, and an acetic acid-induced writhing test. The model rats with pelvic inflammation were established, and the serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in each group was detected with the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). The results of the ear edema test, carrageenin-induced paw edema test, cotton pellet-induced granuloma formation test, and acetic acid-induced writhing test all showed that Patrinia villosa had strong anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. In the experiment using model rats with pelvic inflammation, we found that the serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in PV and DEX group were all significantly lower than those of the CON group, and the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in PV group were significantly lower than those of the DEX group. Patrinia villosa, with its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities, can be used to treat pelvic inflammation and to relieve the associated pain.

Total laparoscopic hysterectomy after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The number of females who undergo liver transplantation is growing and sometimes gynecologic operations are needed to control gynecologic diseases after liver transplantation. METHOD: Total laparoscopic hysterectomy was performed in 2 patients who had undergone liver transplantation, one for adenomyosis and the other for hysteromyoma. RESULTS: It was safe to create a pneumoperitoneum through the umbilical skinfold even though mild adhesion in the pelvic cavity occurred in one patient. The operative times were 95 and 90 minutes, with blood loss of about 100 and 60 ml, respectively. Oral intake, flatus passage, and ambulation recovered within a day, after the operation. No significant changes in liver function were observed except complication of diarrhea caused by Candida albicans in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The result of the two patients suggest that total laparoscopic hysterectomy is a safe and effective surgical approach for patients who have undergone liver transplantation.

Cryopreservation of human ovarian tissue: comparison of novel direct cover vitrification and conventional vitrification.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of novel direct cover vitrification (DCV) and conventional vitrification (CV) for human ovarian tissue. STUDY DESIGN: Ovarian biopsy specimens obtained from 12 patients were randomly allocated into five groups: Fresh, DCV1, DCV2, DCV3 and CV. Three concentrations of cryoprotectants were used in DCV group. The equilibration solution of DCV1, DCV2, DCV3 was 5% EG+5% DMSO+DPBS, 7.5% EG+7.5%DMSO+DPBS, 10% EG+10% DMSO+DPBS, respectively. And the vitrification solution of DCV1, DCV2, DCV3 was 10% EG+10% DMSO+DPBS, 15%EG+15% DMSO+DPBS, 20% EG+20% DMSO+DPBS, respectively. The equilibration solution and the vitrification solution of CV group was same as DCV3 group. The effects of cryopreserved procedure on human ovarian tissue were studied by histology, TUNEL assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and heterotopic allograft. RESULTS: The percentages of morphologically normal and viable follicles of DCV2 were significantly higher than DCV1, DCV3 and CV groups (P<0.05). TUNEL assay demonstrated that the incidence of apoptotic cell in vitrification ovarian tissue was significantly higher than fresh tissue (P<0.05), but there were no difference in various groups with cryopreservation. TEM showed that less damage was detected in DCV2 group. After grafting, the follicle density of DCV2 was greater than DCV1, DCV3 and CV groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The novel cover vitrification with optimal concentration of cryoprotectants is superior to conventional vitrification. It is suitable for human ovarian tissue fragments with high efficiency and facility.