OBJECTIVETo investigate the serum sE-cadherin level in patients with endometriosis and the alterations of that level in healthy control during the menstrual cycle.

METHODSThirty-two patients with endometriosis and 30 healthy women were tested for serum sE-cadherin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSThe serum sE-cadherin levels in healthy control did not vary throughout the menstrual cycle, which were lower than those in patients with endometriosis.

CONCLUSIONSE-cadherin might be involved in endometrial shedding during menstruation in endometriosis patients. The serum sE-cadherin assay might be helpful as a serum marker for the diagnosis and management of endometriosis.

Adult ; Cadherins ; blood ; Endometriosis ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle

BACKGROUNDGender is one of the risk factors accounting for the high prevalence of adolescent myopia. Considerable research results have shown that myopia incidence of female is higher than that of male. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between ocular parameters and serum estrogen level and to investigate the vision changes along with estrogen change in menstrual cycle of adolescent females.

METHODSA total of 120 young females aged between 15 and 16 years, diagnosed with myopia were recruited. Spherical lens, cylindrical lens, axis, interpupillary distance (IPD), and vision in each tested eye of the same subject were measured by automatic optometry and comprehensive optometry, with repetition of all measurements in the menstrual cycle of the 2 nd or 3 rd days, 14 th days, and 28 th days, respectively. Serum estradiol (E 2 ) levels were assayed by chemiluminescence immunoassay at the same three times points of the menstrual cycle mentioned above.

RESULTSIn young females with myopia, the spherical lens showed a statistically significant difference among all different time in menstrual cycle (all P < 0.0001). The cylindrical lens, axis, and IPD were changed significantly during the menstrual cycle (P < 0.05). The vision of the three different time points in menstrual cycle had a significant difference (χ2 = 6.35, P = 0.042). The vision during the 14 th and 28 th day was higher compared to that on the 2 nd or 3 rd days (P = 0.021). Serum E 2 levels were significantly different at different time points in menstrual cycle (P < 0.05). E 2 levels reached its maximum value on the 14 th day and the minimum value on the 2 nd or 3 rd day.

CONCLUSIONSIn adolescent females, the spherical lens and other related ocular parameters vary sensitively with different levels of E 2 in menstrual cycle. Vision in late menstrual stage is significantly higher than that in premenstrual stage.

Adolescent ; Estradiol ; blood ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; blood ; Myopia ; blood ; Progesterone ; blood

In order to study the angiogenesis in endometriosis, the samples of eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with endometriosis were quantitatively analyzed by color morphometric image system (CMIS) for vascular surface area, and by examining endometrial blood vessel for microvessel density (MVD). The results showed that within each menstrual phase the vascular surface area and MVD were significantly higher in ectopic endometria with endometriosis than those in eutopic endometria with endometriosis or normal endometrium (P < 0.05). It is concluded that angiogenesis might be involved in the development of endometriosis.
Adult ; Endometriosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Endometrium ; blood supply ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Pelvis

In order to study the angiogenesis in endometriosis, the samples of eutopic and ectopic endometria from patients with endometriosis were quantitatively analyzed by color morphometric image system (CMIS) for vascular surface area, and by examining endometrial blood vessel for microvessel density (MVD). The results showed that within each menstrual phase the vascular surface area and MVD were significantly higher in ectopic endometria with endometriosis than those in eutopic endometria with endometriosis or normal endometrium (P < 0.05). It is concluded that angiogenesis might be involved in the development of endometriosis.
Endometriosis/etiology ; Endometriosis/*pathology ; Endometrium/*blood supply ; Menstrual Cycle ; *Neovascularization, Pathologic ; *Pelvis

OBJECTIVE: To prove the feasibility of detecting menstrual blood as well as its cellular localization with rabbit-anti-human matrix metalloproteinase-11 (MMP-11) polyclonal antibody. METHODS: MMP-11 in menstrual blood, peripheral blood, vaginal liquid, aged menstrual bloodstain, and endometrium sections were assayed with SAP immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: MMP-11 was found only in menstrual samples within stroma and epithelium cells. CONCLUSION MMP-11 polyclonal antibody may be applied in the distinction between menstrual blood and venous blood.
Adult ; Endometrium/pathology* ; Female ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 11/analysis* ; Menstrual Cycle/blood*

OBJECTIVETo probe into the mechanism of substance-partitioned moxibustion in treatment of primary dysmenorrhea (PD) of cold-damp stagnation type.

METHODSThe treatment group (105 cases of PD) were treated with substance-partitioned moxibustion and the control group (104 cases) were treated with Chinese drug Yueyue-shu. Their therapeutic effects were observed. Plasma beta-endorphin contents in menstrual period were determined before and after treatment in 40 patients of each group.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 95.2% in the substance partitioned moxibustion group was better than 85.6% in the control group (P < 0.05); after treatment, plasma beta-endorphin content significantly increased in the substance-partitioned moxibustion group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSubstance-partitioned moxibustion has obvious therapeutic effect on primary dysmenorrhea of cold-damp stagnation type, which is carried out possibly through regulating the plasma beta-endorphin content as one of the mechanisms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cold Temperature ; Dysmenorrhea ; blood ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; Moxibustion ; Premenstrual Syndrome ; complications ; therapy ; Thermosensing ; beta-Endorphin ; blood

OBJECTIVE: To compare the blood glucose levels, insulin concentrations, and insulin resistance during the two phases of the menstrual cycle between healthy women and patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). METHODS: From January of 2011 to the August of 2012, a descriptive cross-sectional study was performed among students in the School of Medicine of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. We included 30 students with the most severe symptoms of PMS and 30 age frequency-matched healthy controls. We analyzed the serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance by using the glucose oxidase method, radioimmunometric assay, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance equation, respectively. RESULTS: No significant differences between the demographic data of the control and PMS groups were observed. The mean concentrations of glucose of the two study groups were significantly different during the follicular and luteal phases (p=0.011 vs. p<0.0001, respectively). The amounts of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance of the two study groups were significantly different in the luteal phase (p=0.0005). CONCLUSION: The level of blood glucose and insulin resistance was lower during the two phases of the menstrual cycle of the PMS group than that of the controls.
Blood Glucose ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Oxidase ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Luteal Phase ; Menstrual Cycle ; Premenstrual Syndrome

This study tested the hypothesis that effects of the menstrual cycle on resting blood pressure carry over to dynamic exercise. Eleven healthy females were studied during the early (EP; low estrogen, low progesterone) and late follicular (LP; high estrogen, low progesterone) menstrual phases. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and total vascular conductance (TVC) were assessed at rest and in response to mild and moderate cycling exercise during EP and LP. During EP, compared to LP, baseline SBP (111+/-1 vs. 103+/-2 mmHg), DBP (71+/-2 vs. 65+/-2 mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) (84+/-2 vs. 78+/-1 mmHg) were higher and TVC (47.0+/-1.5 vs. 54.9+/-4.2 ml/min/mmHg) was lower (p<0.05). During exercise, absolute values of SBP (Mild: 142+/-4 vs. 127+/-5 mmHg; Moderate: 157+/-4 vs. 144+/-5 mmHg) and MAP (Mild: 100+/-3 vs. 91+/-3 mmHg; Moderate: 110+/-3 vs. 101+/-3 mmHg) were also higher, while TVC was lower (Mild: 90.9+/-5.1 vs. 105.4+/-5.2 ml/min/mmHg; Moderate: 105.4+/-5.3 vs. 123.9+/-8.1 ml/min/mmHg) during EP (p<0.05). However, exercise-induced increases in SBP, MAP and TVC at both work intensities were similar between the two menstrual phases, even though norepinephrine concentrations were higher during LP. Results indicate that blood pressure during dynamic exercise fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. It is higher during EP than LP and appears to be due to additive effects of simultaneous increases in baseline blood pressure and reductions in baseline TVC.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Estrogens ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle* ; Norepinephrine ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in sexual function in premenopausal women after renal transplantation.

METHODSForty-two married premenopausal women receiving dialysis therapy for at least 6 months with normal renal function for 6 months after renal transplantation were examined for hormonal profiles and menstrual cycles. The sexual functions of the patients were evaluated using Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) before and 6 months after the transplantation.

RESULTSBefore renal transplantation, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, polymenorrhea, and eumenorrhea were found in 18 cases (42.9%), 10 cases (23.8%), 5 cases (11.9%) and 9 cases (21.4%), as compared to 7 cases (16.7%), 5 cases (11.9%), 6 cases (14.3%) and 24 cases (57.1%) after the transplantation, respectively. Prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels significantly decreased and estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) significantly increased after renal transplantation (P<0.001). Nineteen patients (45.2%) before and 36 patients (85.7%) after the surgery reported to have an active sexual life (P<0.001). The total incidences of female sexual dysfunction before and after kidney transplantation were 90.5% and 40.5% (P<0.001), respectively. The scores for sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, orgasm, and pain in FSFI were significantly increased after kidney transplantation (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSA successful renal transplantation can significantly improve sexual functions in premenopausal women.

Adult ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Menstrual Cycle ; Middle Aged ; Premenopause ; Progesterone ; blood ; Prolactin ; blood ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological ; epidemiology

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by inappropriately high production of aldosterone relatively autonomous from the renin-angiotensin system and no suppression by sodium loading. The prevalence of PA is estimated more than 10% among nonseleted hypertensive patients. PA is clinically very important since patients with PA have higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than age- and sex-matched patients with essential hypertension and the same degree of blood pressure elevation. The ratio of plasma aldosterone concentration to plasma renin activity (ARR) has been generally accepted as a first-line screening test. ARR might be affected by patient age, anti-hypertensive drugs, posture and menstrual cycles. Once the ARR is measured, confirmative test should be performed. Although a gold standard confirmative test for PA is not yet identified, intravenous saline loading test is widely used. Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is a gold standard for differentiation of unilateral from bilateral forms of PA. Since adrenal CT imaging has limitations to accurate diagnosis of PA, AVS is recommended for all patients who wish to pursue surgical treatment. Although unilateral laparoscopic adernalectomy is the optimal treatment for patients with aldosterone producing adenoma or unilateral hyperplasia, strong evidence linking adernalectomy with improved quality of life, morbidity or mortality is not available. Mneralocorticoid receptor antagonists, spironolactone or eplerenone, are recommended for pharmacologic therapy of PA.
Adenoma ; Aldosterone ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Menstrual Cycle ; Plasma ; Posture ; Prevalence ; Quality of Life ; Renin ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; Sodium ; Spironolactone