Effects of different progestins on prostaglandin biosynthesis in human endometrial explants.

Objective: To compare the effects of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), dienogest (DNG) and drospirenone (DRSP) on prostaglandin biosynthesis in a human endometrial explants model.

Study Design: Human endometrial explants obtained by aspiration curettage and human endometrial YHES cells were stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and exposed to CMA, DNG, DRSP or dexamethasone (DEX; YHES cells). Cellular messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were analyzed by reverse-transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Metformin versus acarbose therapy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): a prospective randomised double-blind study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of metformin versus acarbose in terms of ovulation rate, their impact on hormonal and metabolic status and tolerability of both drugs in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seventy-five patients with PCOS were included in this prospective randomised controlled double-blinded clinical study. According to randomisation, patients were allocated to receive either metformin 2550 mg/day (n = 37) or acarbose 300 mg/day (n = 38) for 12 weeks.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal contraceptives for pain relief from dysmenorrhea: a review.

Background: This article is a comprehensive overview of dysmenorrhea and a systematic review of the available literature on the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hormonal contraceptives for the therapy and management of dysmenorrhea.

Study Design: A comprehensive search of the PubMed database for clinical trials and observational studies of dysmenorrhea treatments from 2004 onwards.

Results: Eighteen publications were identified.

Nitric oxide detection by DAF (diaminofluorescein) fluorescence in human myometrial tissue.

Nitric oxide (NO) is considered to be involved in the modulation of uterine contractility. In the present pilot study, the direct detection of intracellular NO in pregnant human myometrial tissues has been investigated by using the fluorescent indicator 4,5-diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate (DAF-2DA). Pregnant myometrial tissue samples were obtained during Cesarean sections between week 34 and 40 of gestation before the onset of labor.

Efficacy, safety and sustainability of treatment continuation and results of an oral contraceptive containing 30 mcg ethinyl estradiol and 2 mg chlormadinone acetate, in long-term usage (up to 45 cycles)--an open-label, prospective, noncontrolled, office-based Phase III study.

Background: This open-label, noncontrolled study assessed the long-term efficacy and tolerability of the monophasic combined low-dose oral contraceptive (OC) ethinyl estradiol (EE) 30 mcg+chlormadinone acetate (CMA) 2 mg (Belara).

Study Design: In total, 781 women who had already taken EE 30 mcg+CMA 2 mg for 24 cycles in a previous Phase III study were assessed for up to 45 cycles.

Results: Over 23,033 cycles, the Pearl Index was 0.

Effect of a weight loss intervention on anthropometric measures and metabolic risk factors in pre- versus postmenopausal women.

Background: The present study examines changes in body weight, fat mass, metabolic and hormonal parameters in overweight and obese pre- and postmenopausal women who participated in a weight loss intervention.

Methods: Seventy-two subjects were included in the analysis of this single arm study (premenopausal: 22 women, age 43.7 +/- 6.

Evaluation of different strategies for real-time RT-PCR expression analysis of corticotropin-releasing hormone and related proteins in human gestational tissues.

In this article real-time quantitative RT-PCR strategies for investigation of mRNA distribution in stress-related corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP), and CRH receptors (CRH-R1, CRH-R2) in human gestational tissues are described. The effect of sample and RNA preparation, reverse transcription, and the quantitation strategy were investigated. Both thawing of the sample before homogenization and the RT reaction were identified as critical steps.

Transient remnant removal disease in acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Objective: To elucidate the potential role of an altered lipid metabolism in the pathophysiology of acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP).

Case Report: We report on two otherwise healthy women in the 34th gestational week who presented with symptoms of AFLP. Besides characteristic symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, highly elevated serum amino transferase levels, and increased creatinine concentrations, the patients' clotting system showed consumption and/or decreased synthesis of coagulation factors.

Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are associated with hypertension in preeclampsia.

Disorders of the lipoprotein metabolism are a major cause of endothelial dysfunction that may result in hypertension and proteinuria, clinical hallmarks of preeclampsia (PE). Lipoproteins and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions were investigated in 15 women with severe PE and compared with 23 women with a normal course of pregnancy. Compared with normal pregnancy, in PE apolipoprotein (apo)B in very low-density lipoprotein was increased by 76% (P = 0.