OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving 61 girls diagnosed with ICPP who visited the pediatric growth and development clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2022 and September 2024, designated as the ICPP group, and 61 normally developing girls as the control group. The differences in insulin resistance index (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, HOMA-IR), uterine volume, and other indicators between the two groups were compared, and the relationship between insulin resistance and uterine volume in these girls was analyzed. RESULTS: The uterine volume and HOMA-IR level in the ICPP group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis revealed that there was a positive correlation between HOMA-IR level and uterine volume in the ICPP group (r_s=0.643, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that as HOMA-IR increased,uterine volume in the girls tended to increase (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is an association between insulin resistance and uterine volume in girls with ICPP, and as HOMA-IR increases, uterine volume in the girls also increases.
Humans ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Puberty, Precocious/metabolism* ; Uterus/pathology* ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Linear Models

OBJECTIVES: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in postmenopausal women, with an increasing prevalence due to aging. Some women experience POP recurrence after surgical treatment, significantly affecting their physical and mental health. The uterosacral ligament is a critical pelvic support structure. This study aims to investigate the molecular pathological changes in the uterosacral ligament of postmenopausal women with recurrent POP using transcriptomic analysis. METHODS: Transcriptomic data of uterosacral ligament tissues were obtained from the public dataset GSE28660, which includes samples from 4 postmenopausal women with recurrent POP, 4 with primary POP, and 4 without POP. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between recurrent POP and both primary and non-POP groups. Further analysis included intersection analysis of DEGs, gene ontology enrichment, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), single-sample GSEA, and xCell immune cell infiltration analysis to explore molecular pathological changes in recurrent POP. Additionally, histological and molecular differences in the uterosacral ligament were compared between simulated vaginal delivery (SVD) rat models with and without ovariectomy. RESULTS: Compared with primary POP and non-POP groups, recurrent POP exhibited activation of adipogenesis and inflammation-related pathways, while pathways related to muscle proliferation and contraction were downregulated in the uterosacral ligament. Nine key DEGs (ADIPOQ, FABP4, IL-6, LIPE, LPL, PCK1, PLIN1, PPARG, and CD36) were identified, with most enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway. These genes were significantly correlated with lipid accumulation, monocyte infiltration, and neutrophil infiltration in the uterosacral ligament. Urodynamic testing revealed that the bladder leak point pressure was significantly higher in ovariectomized SVD rats, both of which had higher values than the sham group. Masson staining showed pronounced adipogenesis in the uterosacral ligament of ovariectomized SVD rats, along with reduced collagen and muscle fibers compared to the sham and non-ovariectomized SVD groups. Furthermore, real-time RT-PCR confirmed significantly elevated expression of key DEGs, including ADIPOQ, IL-6, PCK1, and PLIN1, in the uterosacral ligaments of ovariectomized SVD rats. CONCLUSIONS Adipogenesis and inflammation in the uterosacral ligament may contribute to its reduced supportive function, potentially leading to recurrence POP in postmenopausal women.
Female ; Humans ; Ligaments/pathology* ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/metabolism* ; Postmenopause ; Animals ; Rats ; Adipogenesis/genetics* ; Recurrence ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Ovariectomy ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Aged ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

Animals ; Antigens, Surface/genetics* ; Cell Communication/genetics* ; Copulation/physiology* ; Fallopian Tubes/metabolism* ; Female ; Fertilization/genetics* ; GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Litter Size ; Luminescent Proteins/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Reproduction/genetics* ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Uterus/metabolism*

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor 1 (ITPR1) is an important intracellular channel for releasing Ca²⁺. In order to investigate the effects of the ITPR1 overexpression on Ca²⁺ concentration and lipid content in duck uterine epithelial cells and its effects on calcium transport-related genes, the structural domain of ITPR1 gene of duck was cloned into an eukaryotic expression vector and transfected into duck uterine epithelial cells. The overexpression of the ITPR1 gene, the concentration of Ca²⁺, the lipid content, and the expression of other 6 calcium transport-related genes was determined. The results showed that the concentration of Ca²⁺ in uterine epithelial cells was significantly reduced after transfection (P<0.05), the triglyceride content was significantly increased (P<0.01), and the high-density lipoprotein content was significantly decreased (P<0.01). The correlation analysis results showed that the overexpression of the C-terminal half of the ITPR1 gene was significantly positively correlated with the total cholesterol content (P<0.01), which was significantly positively correlated with the low-density lipoprotein content (P<0.05). The overexpression of the N-terminal half of the ITPR1 gene was significantly positively correlated with the triglyceride content (P<0.01), which was significantly negatively correlated with the concentration of Ca²⁺ (P<0.05). RT-qPCR results of 6 calcium transport-related genes showed that the overexpression of the C-terminal half of the ITPR1 gene significantly inhibited the expression of the IP3R2, VDAC2 and CAV1 genes, and the overexpression of the N-terminal half of the ITPR1 gene significantly promoted the expression of the IP3R3 and CACNA2D1 genes. In conclusion, the ITPR1 gene overexpression can promote Ca²⁺ release in duck uterus epithelial cells, promote the synthesis of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein and cholesterol, and inhibit the production of high-density lipoprotein, and the ITPR1 gene overexpression affected the expression of all 6 calcium transport-related genes.
Animals ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Ducks/genetics* ; Epithelial Cells ; Female ; Inositol ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors ; Lipids ; Uterus

This study investigated the molecular markers of DS-1-47, a component of an implantation- promoting traditional Chinese medicine consisting of Astragalus mongholicus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis and Dipsacales, in an attempt to clarify the molecular mechanism and action targets of DS-1-47. Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) method was used to establish the implantation dysfunction models of mice. Animals were divided into normal pregnant group, COS model group and DS-1-47 group. Laser capture microdissection-double dimensional electrophoresis-mass spectrum (LCM-DE-MS) was used to analyze the uterine protein molecules that were possibly involved in the promotion of implantation. Twenty-three proteins in DS-1-47 group were significantly changed as compared to those in COS model group, with 7 proteins down-regulated and 16 proteins up-regulated. Except for some constituent proteins, the down-regulated proteins included collagen α-1 (VI) chain, keratin 7, keratin 14, myosin regulatory light chain 12B, myosin light polypeptide 9, heat shock protein β-7, and C-U-editing enzyme APOBEC-2; the up-regulated proteins included apolipoprotein A-I, calcium regulated protein-3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, L-xylulose reductase, and calcium binding protein. These 23 proteins that were regulated by DS-1-47 represented a broad diversity of molecule functions. The down-regulated proteins were associated with stress and immune response, and those up-regulated proteins were related to proliferation. It was suggested that these proteins were important in regulating the uterine environment for the blastocyst implantation. By identification of DS-1-47 markers, proteomic analysis coupled with functional assays is demonstrated to be a promising approach to better understand the molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; drug effects ; Female ; Mice ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Proteome ; genetics ; metabolism ; Uterus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology

BACKGROUNDImmunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized systemic disease that can involve multiple organs and various clinical phenotypes. The purpose of this study was to analyze different types of organ involvement in IgG4-RD patients in China.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective cohort study on IgG4-RD patients to analyze the clinical manifestations and rare features of IgG4-RD. Patients were grouped into different types according to organ involvement regarding organ number and organ site. The constituent ratio in different types was also analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 200 IgG4-RD patients, with a male:female ratio of 2.08:1, were grouped into different types. Cases having involvement of two or three organs were the most common whereas the fewest number of patients had multi-organ (≥4) involvement. Serum IgG4 and IgE levels, IgG4/IgG ratio, and percentage of eosinophils increased as the number of involved organs increased. In addition, constituent ratio analysis revealed that patients with salivary gland/lacrimal gland swelling, who also constituted the largest number of IgG4-RD patients, had higher serum IgG4 concentrations and IgG4/IgG values, had higher percentage of Eos, and were more likely to have had a history of allergies relative to patients with internal organ involvement.

CONCLUSIONSThe characteristic feature of IgG4-RD is multiple organ involvement with various clinical manifestations and different types. Although serum IgG4 levels increased with the number of involved organs, serum IgG4 levels were higher for those patients with salivary gland/lacrimal gland swelling compared with those with internal organ involvement. Thus, valuable clues to the differential diagnosis of IgG4-RD could be obtained by examining the clinical patterns of organ involvement.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autoimmune Diseases ; complications ; pathology ; Eosinophils ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Gland ; pathology ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; pathology ; Salivary Glands ; pathology ; Thyroid Gland ; pathology ; Uterus ; pathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAdenomyosis (AM) has impaired contraction. This study aimed to explore the expression of potassium channels related to contraction in myometrial smooth muscle cells (MSMCs) of AM.

METHODSUterine tissue samples from 22 patients (cases) with histologically confirmed AM and 12 (controls) with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were collected for both immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect the expression of large conductance calcium- and voltage-sensitive K + channel (BKCa)-α/β subunits, voltage-gated potassium channel (Kv) 4.2, and Kv4.3. Student's t-test was used to compare the expression.

RESULTSThe BKCa-α/β subunits, Kv4.2, and Kv4.3 were located in smooth muscle cells, glandular epithelium, and stromal cells. However, BKCa-β subunit expression in endometrial glands of the controls was weak, and Kv4.3 was almost undetectable in the controls. The expression of BKCa-α messenger RNA (mRNA) (0.62 ± 0.19-fold decrease, P < 0.05) and Kv4.3 mRNA (0.67 ± 0.20-fold decrease, P < 0.05) decreased significantly in the MSMCs of the control group compared with the AM group. However, there were no significant differences in BKCa-β subunit mRNA or Kv4.2 mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSThe BKCa-α mRNA and the Kv4.3 mRNA are expressed significantly higher in AM than those in the control group, that might cause the abnormal uterus smooth muscle contractility, change the microcirculation of uterus to accumulate the inflammatory factors, impair the endometrium further, and aggravate the pain.

Adenomyosis ; metabolism ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Shal Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Uterine Contraction ; physiology ; Uterine Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Uterus ; metabolism

A case of primary yolk sac tumor of endometrium was retrospectively analyzed and relevant literature was systematically reviewed. We found that the primary yolk sac tumor of endometrium showed low incidence rate and was clinically characterized by abnormal vaginal bleeding, intrauterine lesions and significantly elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. The final diagnosis should be confirmed by pathological examination. There is no guideline for the treatment of primary yolk sac tumor of endometrium due to its rareness. For now, surgery and chemotherapy are the major therapies and the curative effect is satisfactory in some cases.
Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterus ; pathology ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nourishing yin removing fire Chinese herbs (NYRF-CH) on the gene expression of hypothalamic growth hormone secretion peptide (Ghrelin) and its receptor growth hormone secretion peptide receptor 1alpha (GHSR1-alpha) at the puberty onset of danazol induced female precocious rats.

METHODSForty female SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group (N), the model group (M), the normal saline intervention group (NS), and the NYRFCH intervention group (NI), 10 in each group. 300 microg danazol was subcutaneously injected to all rats except those in the N group to prepare precocious rat model. NYRFCH and normal saline was respectively administered to rats in the NI and the NS group from the 15th day old for 7-10 days. No treatment was given to rats in the N group. Time of rats' vulva opening was recorded. Ovary index and uterus index were calculated. Peripheral blood levels of estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), and hypothalamic contents of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) as well as the gene expression of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha were determined. Results Compared with the N group, the vulva opening time was advanced in the model group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index, hypothalamic contents of GnRH increased; peripheral blood FSH levels and mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the M group and the NS group, the vulva opening time was not advanced in the NI group; peripheral blood levels of E2 and LH, uterus index and hypothalamic contents of GnRH obviously decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); mRNA levels of hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha increased (all P < 0.01). But there was no statistical difference in the hypothalamic contents of Ghrelin, or the number and activity of GHSR1-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNYRFCH had regulatory effect on regulating hypothalamic Ghrelin and GHSR1-alpha at gene transcription levels.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ghrelin ; genetics ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Luteinizing Hormone ; metabolism ; Ovary ; Puberty, Precocious ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Bushen Wenyang Huayu Recipe (BSWYHYR) on nerve growth factor (NGF) and transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor I (TRPV1) in experimental endometriosis (EMT), and to explore its mechanism for treating EMT-induced pain.

METHODSTotally in-bred line BALB/c 75 female mice were divided into five groups, i.e., the sham-operation group, the model group, the high dose BSWYHYR group, the low dose BSWYHYR group, the gestrinone group, 15 in each group. Writhing response was observed in each group. Serum contents of NGF were detected using ELISA. Expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 in uterus and ectopic foci were detected using immunohistochemical staining SP and Western blot. mRNA expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 in uterus and ectopic foci were detected by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe serum NGF content in the model group was higher than that in the sham-operation group (P < 0.01), and there was positive correlation between NGF and the writhing frequency (r = 0.574, P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, serum levels of NGF significantly decreased in the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, mRNA and protein expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 increased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01). Protein expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 decreased significantly in the 3 treatment groups, when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). mRNA expression levels of NGF and TRPV1 decreased most in the high dose BSWYHYR group (P < 0.01). NGF in uterus and ectopic foci was positively correlated with protein and mRNA expression levels of TRPV1 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSNGF and TRPV1 participated in the occurrence of pain in EMS. BSWYHYR played an important role in inhibiting EMT-induced pain through reducing the up-regulation of NGF on TRPV1.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nerve Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Pain ; RNA, Messenger ; TRPV Cation Channels ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; Uterus