STUDY QUESTION Can biologically active vitamin D3 [1,25(OH)₂D3] regulate the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human uterine fibroid cells? SUMMARY ANSWER 1,25(OH)₂D3 effectively reduced the expression and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in cultured human uterine fibroid cells. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma) express higher levels of MMP activit...

BACKGROUND Punica granatum Linn. (PG) is native to the Mediterranean region. Its flower exhibited antioxidant activity. The present study attempt to investigate the effect of these extract on uterine contraction and its possible mechanism(s). METHODS Thirty five female Wistar rats (200-300 g) at estrous phases of cycle was examined in this study; pieces of virgin adult rat uterus (1.5 cm) wer...

Fibrosis is the formation of excess and abnormal fibrous connective tissue as a result of either a reparative or reactive process. A defining feature of connective tissue is its extracellular matrix, which provides structural support and also influences cellular activity. Two common human conditions that result from fibrosis are uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) and keloid scars. Because these cond...

Although benign, uterine leiomyomas occur with high frequency and significant morbidity in reproductive-age women, and they present a significant health problem. Leiomyomas develop in the uterine myometrium and are sensitive to ovarian hormones, making them potential target sites for endocrine disruptors. Here we utilize cell lines derived from rat uterine leiomyomas to determine if a panel of ...

Decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) activity is thought to have a major role in preeclampsia through abnormal placental development. However, the role of PPARγ in adaptation of the uteroplacental vasculature that may lead to placental hypoperfusion and fetal growth restriction during pregnancy is not known. Here, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 11/group) were tr...

Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI) has demonstrated that we can differentiate the uterus in 3 important functional areas. Exploration of the uterus in the infertile patient should implement the evaluation of the endometrium, the Junctional zone myometrium (JZ), the outer myometrium and the cervical canal. Especially the JZ myometrium should receive our close attention in the exploration and treatm...

The ultrastructure of the uterine epithelium has been studied in estrous, ovariectomized, pregnant, and pseudopregnant rabbits. Tissue for light microscopy was fixed in Bouin's solution and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, by the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) method, and with methylene blue. Tissue for electron microscopy was fixed in 1 per cent osmium tetroxide in White's saline and embedded i...

BACKGROUND The selective progesterone receptor modulator asoprisnil suppresses uterine bleeding and decreases leiomyoma volume while maintaining follicular phase estrogen concentrations. For safety of potential clinical applications, any proliferative effect of asoprisnil on uterine tissues, particularly endometrium, needs to be established. METHODS In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-cont...

background cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. recent studies show that human papillomavirus (hpv) dna is present in all cervical carcinomas and in some cervicitis cases, with some geographical variation in viral subtypes. therefore determination of the presence of hpv in the general population of each region can help reveal the role of these viruses in tumors. ...

The implantation of trophoblast cells at extrauterine sites still results in decidualization. The objective of the present study was to compare decidualization at eutopic and ectopic implantation sites. Tissues from women undergoing elective termination of uterine pregnancy and from women with ectopic pregnancy were used to detect the presence of cells important for the maintenance of pregnancy...