Changes in serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein after estrogen and alendronate therapy in postmenopausal women.

Background: Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is a biomarker for joint destruction and its serum levels are used for assessing therapeutic efficacy. This study aims to compare changes in serum COMP levels in postmenopausal women with osteopenia/osteoporosis receiving estrogen and alendronate.

Methods: A total of 62 postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis were treated with either estrogen (17β-estradiol 1 mg, n = 30) or bisphosphonate (alendronate 5 mg, n = 32) for 6 months.

Effects of red ginseng supplementation on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of red ginseng (RG) on menopausal symptoms and cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted with postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 60 years. A total of 72 women were randomly assigned to either an RG group (supplemented with 3 g of RG, including 60 mg of ginsenosides, per day) or a placebo group for 12 weeks.

Mitochondria DNA polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to endometriosis.

Because energy production involves oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondria are major sources of reactive oxygen species in the cell. Recent findings indicate that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants may play a role in the etiology of certain autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between mtDNA polymorphisms and susceptibility to endometriosis.

Effects of LNG-IUS on nerve growth factor and its receptors expression in patients with adenomyosis.

The levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is effective in the treatment of dysmenorrhea associated with adenomyosis. However, the mechanism of pain relief of LNG-IUS in patients with adenomyosis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effects of LNG-IUS on the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors, NGFR p75 and TrkA in patients with adenomyosis.

A long-term treatment outcome of abdominal sacrocolpopexy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term treatment outcome and major complication rates of abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 57 Korean women who underwent ASC with mesh for symptomatic uterine or vault prolapse and attended follow-up visits for at least 5 years. Forty-seven women with urodynamic stress incontinence concomitantly received a modified Burch colposuspension.