Background: Current medical management of endometriosis leads to suppression of ovulation and will not be helpful for women with endometriosis who are desirous of pregnancy. Thus, drugs that can both treat endometriosis and its associated infertility are highly warranted. Objective: Anti-angiogenic agents are potential drugs for patients with endometriosis and infertility. Among these drugs, dopamine agonist (DA) is promising since it does not interfere with ovulation, is safe, and not teratogenic. The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy and safety of DA for improving reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis and infertility. Methods: A qualitative narrative review was done from inception to July 31, 2022 using the appropriate MeSH terms in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrial.gov, and World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Date analysis was through qualitative analysis and synthesis of researches and their outcome measures. Results: No studies used the core outcomes for trials evaluating treatments for infertility associated with endometriosis. All the included articles in the review supported the possible anti-angiogenic effects of DA on the vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] /VEGF receptor system. The use of DA does not have an effect on ovulation and menstrual cyclicity. Studies on safety profile of DA were consistent with existing data. Conclusion Most of studies reviewed demonstrated that DA were effective in reducing endometriotic lesions. However, further research is required to establish whether this anti-angiogenic effect can improve reproductive outcomes in women with endometriosis-associated infertility.
Endometriosis ; Dopamine Agonists ; Infertility ; Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors

Perimenopausal period is a period with high incidence of female depression, which shows the symptoms of depressed mood and disturbed mind. The pathogenesis of the disease is not clear and it is urgent to search for efficient treatment. Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells and plays a role in both metabolism and neuroprotection. In recent years, leptin has been reported to ameliorate perimenopausal depression, and leptin is closely related to estrogen synthesis and secretion. Therefore, leptin may be used as a potential molecular target for the treatment of perimenopausal depression. In this paper, the research on the relationship between leptin and perimenopausal depression is reviewed.
Depression ; Leptin ; Estrogens

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis ( CVST) results from occlusion of cerebral venous sinuses, usually resulting in hemorrhagic infarction. It is a rare type of stroke affecting 3-5 per million people, often due to hypercoagulable states from clotting factor abnormalities or diseases like cancers, autoimmune and collagen vascular disease. Headache, visual changes, changes in sensorium, focal neurologic signs, seizures, and coma are some of the symptoms.

The role of exogenous estrogen in developing CVST among transgenders has not been reported frequently in literature. We report a 26-year-old transgender female who presented with throbbing headache after four years of exogenous high dose parenteral and oral estrogen. Magnetic resonance venography findings showed dural sinus thrombosis involving the left internal jugular vein, left sigmoid sinus, left transverse sinus, straight sinus, torcula and posterior aspect of the superior sagittal sinus. Patient was treated with topiramate, steroids and anticoagulants. Patient symptoms improved and was subsequently sent with home medications edoxaban. This case underscores the importance of monitoring the use of hormonal therapy in transgender individuals.

This report is an example of a rare cause of thrombosis secondary to self-administration of parenteral and oral estrogen. Prompt diagnosis in this patient resulted in the prevention of a catastrophic event like a major stroke, highlighting the importance of vigilance in managing hormone therapy. Increasing awareness about transgender issues can improve health and reduce inequities in this population. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis ( CVST) results from occlusion of cerebral venous sinuses, usually resulting in hemorrhagic infarction. It is a rare type of stroke affecting 3-5 per million people, often due to hypercoagulable states from clotting factor abnormalities or diseases like cancers, autoimmune and collagen vascular disease. Headache, visual changes, changes in sensorium, focal neurologic signs, seizures, and coma are some of the symptoms.

The role of exogenous estrogen in developing CVST among transgenders has not been reported frequently in literature. We report a 26-year-old transgender female who presented with headache after 4 years of exogenous high dose parenteral and oral estrogen. Magnetic resonance venography findings showed dural sinus thrombosis involving the left internal jugular vein, left sigmoid sinus, left transverse sinus, straight sinus, torcula and posterior aspect of the superior sagittal sinus. Patient was treated with topiramate, steroids and anticoagulants. Patient symptoms improved and was subsequently sent home on edoxaban. This case underscores the importance of monitoring hormonal therapy in transgender individuals.

This report is an example of a rare cause of thrombosis secondary to self-administration of parenteral and oral estrogen. Prompt diagnosis in this patient resulted in the prevention of a catastrophic event like a major stroke, highlighting the importance of vigilance in managing hormone therapy. Increasing awareness about transgender issues can improve health and reduce inequities in this population.

The aim of this study was to clone the chicken zp1 gene encoding zona pellucida 1 (Zp1) and investigate its tissues expression profile and its effect on osteoblast mineralization. The expression level of zp1 was quantified in various tissues of laying hens and in the tibia of the pre- and post-sexual maturity by RT-qPCR. Zp1 overexpressed vector was transfected into chicken calvarial osteoblasts which were induced differentiation for 8 days, and the extracellular mineral and the expression of mineralization-related genes were detected. The full-length chicken zp1 gene is 3 045 bp, encoding 958 amino acids residuals, and has two N-glycosylation sites. The highest expression level of the zp1 gene was found in the liver, followed by the tibia and yolk membrane, while no expression was detected in the heart and eggshell gland. Compared with the pre-sexual maturity hens, the concentration of estrogen (E2) in plasma, the content of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the expression level of the zp1 gene in the tibia with post-sexual maturity were higher. The extracellular matrix and the level of osteoblast mineralization-related genes showed a significantly upregulated expression in chicken calvarial osteoblasts with Zp1 overexpressed and addition of estrogen. The expression of the zp1 gene is tissue-specific and positively regulated osteoblast mineralization under the action of estrogen, laying the foundation for elucidating the functional properties of Zp1 in chicken bones during the egg production period.
Female ; Animals ; Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins ; Membrane Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Chickens/genetics* ; Egg Proteins/metabolism* ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; Estrogens

Hyperplasia of mammary glands is a benign breast disease with disordered breast structure. Nowadays, the incidence rate of breast hyperplasia in women is increasing year by year, and the etiology is related to the imbalance of estrogen and progesterone in the body. The symptoms include breast pain, breast nodules, or nipple discharge, which can develop into breast cancer in the context of psychological pressure. Therefore, it is timely and effectively necessary for people to treat the symptoms. At present, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) often treats breast hyperplasia by oral drug, external application, acupuncture, moxibustion, and massage, while western medicine often uses hormone therapy or surgery. TCM can regulate hormone levels to treat breast hyperplasia. Acupuncture, moxibustion, and other methods can stimulate acupoints to reduce breast lumps. However, since TCM is easy to produce hepatorenal toxicity after long-term use and simple external treatment is slow to take effect, rapid and effective treatment is difficult to be achieved. Although western medicine can inhibit the disease, it is easy to produce toxic and side effects if taken for a long time. In addition, surgery can only remove the focus and the recurrence rate is high. Some studies have found that the combination of oral and external use of TCM compounds has a significant effect, with mild toxic and side effects, few adverse reactions, and a low recurrence rate. Based on the relevant literature in recent years, this article reviewed the combination of oral and external treatment of TCM in the treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands, discussed the effectiveness, clinical evaluation indexes, and mechanism, and pointed out the existing shortcomings to explore a comprehensive therapy worthy of clinical application.
Female ; Humans ; Mammary Glands, Human ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Hyperplasia ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Estrogens

Humans ; Chronic Pain ; Analgesics, Opioid ; Pain Management ; Primary Health Care

Purinergic P2Y Receptor Antagonists ; Consensus ; Cardiovascular System ; Cardiology ; Asia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of umbilical moxibustion therapy on phobic behavior and the contents of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in different brain regions of the stress-model rats and explore the potential mechanism of umbilical moxibustion on phobic behavior. METHODS: Among 50 Wistar male rats, 45 rates were selected and randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an umbilical moxibustion group, 15 rats in each one; and the rest 5 rats were used for preparing the model of electric shock. The bystander electroshock method was adopted to prepare phobic stress model in the model group and the umbilical moxibustion group. After modeling, the intervention with umbilical moxibustion started in the umbilical moxibustion group, in which, the ginger-isolated moxibustion was applied at "Shenque" (CV 8), once daily, 2 cones for 20 min each time, for consecutively 21 days. After modeling and intervention completed, the rats in each group were subjected to the open field test to evaluate the state of fear. After intervention, the Morris water maze test and fear conditioning test were performed to evaluate the changes in learning and memory ability and the state of fear. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were determined. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the horizontal and vertical activity scores were lower (P<0.01), the number of stool particles was increased (P<0.01), the escape latency was prolonged (P<0.01), the times of target quadrant were reduced (P<0.01), and the freezing time was prolonged (P<0.05) in the rats of the model group. The horizontal and vertical activity scores were increased (P<0.05), the number of stool particles was reduced (P<0.05), the escape latency was shortened (P<0.05, P<0.01), the times of target quadrant were increased (P<0.05), and the freezing time was shortened (P<0.05) in the rats of the umbilical moxibustion group when compared with the model group. The trend search strategy was adopted in the control group and the umbilical moxibustion group, while the random search strategy was used in rats of the model group. Compared with the control group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were reduced (P<0.01) in the model group. In the umbilical moxibustion group, the contents of NE, DA and 5-HT in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01) when compared with the model group. CONCLUSION Umbilical moxibustion can effectively relieve the state of fear and learning and memory impairment of phobic stress model rats, which may be related to the up-regulation of contents of brain neurotransmitters, i.e. NE, DA, and 5-HT.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Moxibustion ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Serotonin ; Hippocampus ; Dopamine ; Norepinephrine ; Neurotransmitter Agents

Estrogen impacts neural development; meanwhile, it has a protective effect on the brain. Bisphenols, primarily bisphenol A (BPA), can exert estrogen-like or estrogen-interfering effects by binding with estrogen receptors. Extensive studies have suggested that neurobehavioral problems, such as anxiety and depression, can be caused by exposure to BPA during neural development. Increasing attention has been paid to the effects on learning and memory of BPA exposure at different developmental stages and in adulthood. Further research is required to elucidate whether BPA increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying mechanisms, as well as to assess whether BPA analogs, such as bisphenol S and bisphenol F, influence the nervous system.
Receptors, Estrogen/metabolism* ; Estrogens ; Benzhydryl Compounds/pharmacology* ; Nervous System/metabolism*

The degeneration of monoaminergic system and the reduction of monoamine neurotransmitters(MNTs) are associated with the occurrence of a variety of neuropsychiatric diseases, becoming the key indicators for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies suggested gut microbiota could influence the occurrence, development, and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases by directly or indirectly regulating the synthesis and metabolism of MNTs. Rich clinical experience has been accumulated in the amelioration and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases by traditional Chinese medicines. The traditional oral administration method demonstrates obvious advantages in regulating gut microbiota. It provides a new idea for explaining the pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines in ameliorating neuropsychiatric disease by improving the levels of MNTs via gut microbiota regulation. Focusing on three common neuropsychiatric diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and major depression, we summarized the pathways of gut microbiota in regulating the levels of MNTs and the paradigms of traditional Chinese medicines in ameliorating neuropsychiatric diseases via the "bacteria-gut-brain axis", aiming to provide ideas for the development of drugs and treatment schemes.
Humans ; Administration, Oral ; Alzheimer Disease ; Brain-Gut Axis ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents