Beneficial Effects of Pomegranate Extracts for Benign Gynecologic Disorders.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a widely cultivated fruit historically recognized for its health benefits and is regarded as a nutritional powerhouse. Pomegranate has a unique composition of bioactive compounds including hydrolysable tannins, anthocyanins, and other polyphenolic components. Of those, punicalagin and its subsequent metabolites are the most extensively studied, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-nociceptive activity.

The Annual Economic Burden of Uterine Fibroids in the United States (2010 Versus 2022): A Comparative Cost-Analysis.

In 2010, the estimated annual cost of uterine fibroids in the United States ranged from 5.9 to 34.4 billion USD.

Unlocking the potential of tranilast: Targeting fibrotic signaling pathways for therapeutic benefit.

Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in an organ or tissue that results from an impaired tissue repair in response to tissue injury or chronic inflammation. The progressive nature of fibrotic diseases and limited treatment options represent significant healthcare challenges. Despite the substantial progress in understanding the mechanisms of fibrosis, a gap persists translating this knowledge into effective therapeutics.

A Systematic Review of Epigenetics of Endometriosis.

Objective: To assess the current literature evaluating the epigenetics of endometriosis in humans.

Evidence Review: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines within PubMed, EBSCOhost, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection. A comprehensive search strategy was developed by a data informationist.

A Systematic Review of the Psychosocial Impact of Endometriosis before and after Treatment.

While endometriosis is a common gynecologic disease associated with infertility, the psychosocial impact of endometriosis has not been evaluated against various quality of life (QoL) instruments and compared with other chronic illnesses. We rigorously analyzed the psychosocial burden of endometriosis in adult women and compared standardized and validated QoL scores of women with and without endometriosis, before and following treatment, and against other chronic illnesses. We searched PubMed, PsychINFO Embase, and Cochrane Reviews and ClinicalTrials.

A systematic review of association between use of hair products and benign and malignant gynecological conditions.

Hair products often contain chemicals like para-phenylenediamine (PPD) and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs); giving rise to concerns about the possible adverse effects such as hormonal disturbances and carcinogenicity. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the association between the use of different hair products and benign and malignant gynecological conditions. Studies were identified from three databases including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, and evaluated in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

The impact of fibroid treatments on quality of life and mental health: a systematic review.

Fibroids significantly impact the quality of life (QOL) and mental health of affected women. However, there are limited comparative data on QOL measures after medical, surgical, and radiologic interventions in women with fibroids. This study aimed to assess the current literature evaluating the impact of fibroids on QOL measures using several validated questionnaires for radiologic, medical, or surgical interventions or a combination of interventions before and after treatment.

Fibroids and unexplained infertility treatment with epigallocatechin gallate: a natural compound in green tea (FRIEND) - protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled US multicentre clinical trial of EGCG to improve fertility in women with uterine fibroids.

Introduction: Uterine fibroids affect 30%-77% of reproductive-age women and are a significant cause of infertility. Surgical myomectomies can restore fertility, but they often have limited and temporary benefits, with postoperative complications such as adhesions negatively impacting fertility. Existing medical therapies, such as oral contraceptives, gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues and GnRH antagonists, can manage fibroid symptoms but are not fertility friendly.

Biomarkers Assessing the Role of Cumulus Cells on IVF Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Although significant improvements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes have been accomplished, a critical question remains: which embryo is most likely to result in a pregnancy? Embryo selection is currently based on morphological and genetic criteria; however, these criteria do not fully predict good-quality embryos and additional objective criteria are needed. The cumulus cells are critical for oocyte and embryo development. This systematic review assessed biomarkers in cumulus-oocyte complexes and their association with successful IVF outcomes.

The Mediator Complex Subunit 12 (MED-12) Gene and Uterine Fibroids: a Systematic Review.

Uterine leiomyomas are the most common tumor of reproductive-age women worldwide. Although benign, uterine fibroids cause significant morbidity and adversely impact the quality of life for affected women. Somatic mutations in the exon 2 of the mediator complex subunit 12 (MED-12) gene represent the most common single gene mutation associated with uterine leiomyomas.

A Systematic Review of the Psychosocial Impact of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Before and After Treatment.

While polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age, the psychosocial impact of PCOS has not been evaluated across different quality of life (QoL) indicators. We rigorously analyzed available evidence pertaining to the psychosocial burden of PCOS in women of reproductive age and compared validated QoL scores of women with and without PCOS before and after treatment. We searched and considered publications from PubMed, PsychINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library that evaluated the association between diagnosed PCOS and QoL by standardized and validated questionnaires at baseline and after treatment.

Beta blockers reduce uterine fibroid incidence in hypertensive women.

Objective: Is prior beta blocker (BB) use associated with reduced odds of the clinical incidence of leiomyomas?

What Is Known Already: In-vitro and in-vivo evidence has supported the role of beta receptor blockade in reducing leiomyoma cell proliferation and growth. However, no population-based study to date has investigated this potential association.

Study Design, Size, Duration: A nested case-control study was conducted in a population of women aged 18-65 with arterial hypertension (n = 699,966).

Green Tea and Benign Gynecologic Disorders: A New Trick for An Old Beverage?

Green tea is harvested from the tea plant and is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. It is richer in antioxidants than other forms of tea and has a uniquely high content of polyphenolic compounds known as catechins. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major green tea catechin, has been studied for its potential therapeutic role in many disease contexts, including pathologies of the female reproductive system.

Assessing the Hepatic Safety of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) in Reproductive-Aged Women.

A similar abstract of the interim analysis was previously published in Fertility and Sterility. EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE (EGCG) FOR TREATMENT OF UNEXPLAINED INFERTILITY ASSOCIATED WITH UTERINE FIBROIDS (PRE-FRIEND TRIAL): EARLY SAFETY ASSESSMENT. Uterine fibroids are the most common cause of unexplained infertility in reproductive-aged women.

Utilization and cost of cell salvage in minimally invasive myomectomy.

Objective: To assess the utilization and cost of intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) in minimally invasive myomectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent minimally invasive myomectomy at a quaternary care academic hospital. Patients were classified into: ICS setup vs no ICS setup, ICS setup with reinfusion vs ICS setup without reinfusion.

The Utility and Impact of the Painful Periods Screening Tool (PPST) to Improve Healthcare Delivery for People with Symptoms of Pelvic Pain.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility and impact of the Painful Periods Screening Tool (PPST) to improve healthcare delivery for people with symptoms of pelvic pain. The design of this study was a survey study. After IRB approval, patients aged 18-55 years with self-reported pelvic, abdominal, or lower back pain before, during, or after menstrual periods were invited to participate in the study from September 2020 to June 2021.

A Systematic Review of Vitamin D and Fibroids: Pathophysiology, Prevention, and Treatment.

Uterine fibroids are the most common tumor of reproductive-age women worldwide and cause significant morbidity in affected women. Vitamin D has emerged as a potential therapy for uterine fibroids based on experimental and epidemiologic evidence. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the role of vitamin D in the pathophysiology of uterine fibroids and its efficacy for prevention and treatment of fibroids.

Association between embryo morphological quality and birth weight for singletons conceived via autologous fresh embryo transfer: an analysis using Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology Clinical Outcomes Reporting System.

Objective: To determine if morphologically suboptimal embryo quality is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

Design: A retrospective cohort.

Setting: SART CORS database.

Simvastatin reduces plasma membrane caveolae and caveolin-1 in uterine leiomyomas.

Aims: Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are estrogen dependent benign tumor in women, however, they have limited treatment options. Simvastatin, a drug commonly used to treat high cholesterol. Recently we demonstrated that simvastatin alters estrogen signaling by reducing the expression and trafficking of the estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) in human uterine leiomyoma cells.

A Systematic Review of Minimally Invasive Treatments for Uterine Fibroid-Related Bleeding.

Newer minimally invasive techniques provide treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids while allowing uterus preservation. The objective of this review was to analyze the efficacy of uterine-preserving, minimally invasive treatment modalities in reducing fibroid-related bleeding. A comprehensive search was conducted of PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.

Extracellular matrix and Hippo signaling as therapeutic targets of antifibrotic compounds for uterine fibroids.

Background: Uterine fibroids are highly prevalent, collagen-rich, mechanically stiff, fibrotic tumors for which new therapeutic options are needed. Increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness activates mechanical signaling and Hippo/YAP promoting fibroid growth, but no prior studies have tested either as a therapeutic target. We tested the hypothesis that injection of a purified form of collagenase Clostridium histolyticum (CCH) that selectively digests type I and type III collagens would alter ECM stiffness, Hippo signaling, and selectively reduce fibroid cell growth.

Cost-effectiveness of preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy for fresh donor oocyte cycles.

Objective: To determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) with preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is cost effective to achieve a live birth compared with IVF alone in fresh donor oocyte cycles.

Design: Theoretical cost-effectiveness study.

Setting: Not applicable.

A Phase I Clinical Trial to Assess Safety and Tolerability of Injectable Collagenase in Women with Symptomatic Uterine Fibroids.

Uterine fibroids feature excessive deposition of types I and III collagen. Previous ex vivo studies showed an FDA-approved collagenase (EN3835)-digested types I and III collagen fibers in fibroid tissues; however, collagenase had not been evaluated in vivo for effects on uterine fibroids. The objective was to assess the safety and tolerability of collagenase injection directly into uterine fibroids.