Fibrous components of extracellular matrix and smooth muscle of the vaginal wall in young and postmenopausal women: Stereological analysis.

The anterior vaginal wall is subject to many diseases, such as pelvic organ prolapse. The pathophysiology of this illness is multifactorial, and as such, structural components of the vagina are involved. Furthermore, it is more prevalent in older women. There is a lack of data in the literature regarding the extracellular matrix components of the vaginal wall and its changes with aging. The work presented herein aims to perform a stereological study of the extracellular matrix in young and old women. It was observed a decrease of the volumetric density of smooth muscle (45.5 ± 3.2 % and 32.8 ± 5.8 % for the G1 and G2 samples, respectively) and an increase of collagen and elastic fibers with age (35.9 ± 2.1 % and 54.1 ± 5.9 % for the G1 and G2, respectively) in the mucosa of the vaginal wall. These results could help to better understand the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse concerning the aging process.

Organization of the fibrous connective tissue of the fallopian tubes in fertile and climacteric periods: a scanning electron microscopic and stereologic study.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the fallopian tubes is subject to several changes due to hormonal influences and aging. However, there is a lack of studies regarding its arrangement in older women. We aimed to analyze the organization of ECMcomponents, including collagen and elastic fibers, in the fallopian tube's ampulla from young and old women by means of scanning electron microscopical and stereological methods. Twenty-one samples were analyzed: 12 from female cadavers in a fertile age (G1) and 9 from the climacteric period (G2). Masson's trichrome stain was used to observe collagen and smooth muscle, while Weigert's Fuchsin-Resorcin was employed to observe elastic fibers. Statistical analysis was performed by the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test with the aid ofthe R© software. The tissue was also fixed for scanning electron microscopic analysis in a modified Karnovsky solution and the three-dimensional organization of fibrous connective tissue was observed and compared. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in all stereologic comparisons of the extracellular matrix between the groups, which revealed a higher volumetric density of the fibrous tissue in the climacteric group. Scanning electron microscopy showed degenerative alterations of extracellular matrix. According to our results, aging caused significant changes to the elements of the extracellular matrix and the smooth muscle of the fallopian tubes.

The cortical matrix of femur in adult-aged Wistar rats is critically affected by maternal malnutrition during lactation period / La matriz cortical del fémur en ratas Wistar de edad adulta se ve críticamente afectada por la malnutrición materna durante el período de lactancia

Osteoporosis is associated with poor dietary habits. Malnutrition is characterized as a deficit on the intake of necessary nutrients that are essential for optimal health maintenance. It is known that malnutrition during the lactation period can affect the offspring. The present study aims to evaluate the chronic effects caused by maternal energy-protein restriction during lactation period in the offspring. At parturition, Wistar rat dams were divided in three groups: (1) Control group (C) - which received a 23 % protein diet without restrictions; (2) Protein-Energy restriction group (PER)- which received a 8 % protein diet; (3) Energy restriction group (ER) which received a 23 % protein diet in limited amounts, according to the ingestion of the second group. Each group had 12 pups. After weaning, all pups received free access to a 23 % protein diet until 180 days and then were euthanized. Their femur was excised, decalcified, histologically processed and analyzed under a microscope. The measurements of the osteon lacunae on the C, ER and PER groups were, respectively: 2.1 µm, 10.9 µm and 14.7 µm (p<0.05). A poor ingestion of proteins and calories during lactation period provoked critical and permanent changes on the bone matrix of the femur, which simulated osteoporosis.

La osteoporosis se asocia con malos hábitos alimenticios. La desnutrición se caracteriza como un déficit en la ingesta de los nutrientes necesarios que son esenciales para un mantenimiento óptimo de la salud. Se sabe que la malnutrición durante el período de lactancia puede afectar a la descendencia. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar los efectos crónicos causados por la restricción energética-proteína materna durante el período de lactancia en la descendencia. En el parto, las hijas de rata Wistar se dividieron en tres grupos: (1) grupo control (C) - que recibió una dieta con 23 % de proteína sin restricciones; (2) Grupo restricción de energía de proteína (PER) - que recibió una dieta con 8 % de proteína; (3) Grupo restricción de energía (ER) - que recibió una dieta de 23 % de proteína en cantidades limitadas, de acuerdo con la ingestión del segundo grupo. Cada grupo tenía 12 crías. Después del destete, todas las crías recibieron acceso libre a una dieta con 23 % de proteína hasta 180 días y luego fueron sacrificadas. Su fémur fue extirpado, descalcificado, procesado histológicamente y analizado bajo un microscopio. Las mediciones de las lagunas de osteón en los grupos C, ER y PER fueron, respectivamente: 2,1 mm, 10,9 mm y 14,7 mm (p <0,05). Una mala ingesta de proteínas y calorías durante el período de lactancia provocó cambios críticos y permanentes en la matriz ósea del fémur, que simulaba osteoporosis.