[Leptin as a trigger for puberty in girls].

Unlabelled: The influence of leptin on the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol in girls during puberty was longitudinally studied. Two hundred and twenty-seven healthy girls aged from 8.8 to 15.

[Concentrations of MMP-1, TIMP-1, MMP-1/TIMP-1 and I CTP complexes in follicular fluid as related to fertilization rate in women treated with in-vitro fertilization].

Objectives: Metalloproteinases and their inhibitors appear to control connective tissue remodelling during follicular rupture. The aim of the study was to establish if oocytes fertilisation rate after ovulation induction depends on the concentrations of MMP-1, its inhibitor TIMP-1, MMP-1/TIMP-1 complex and I CTP in follicular fluid (FF).

Material And Methods: FF were collected from 37 infertile patients undergoing ovulation induction using either short or long protocol.

Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy influences T cell adhesion to extracellular matrix in women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions.

Problem: To determine activated T cell adhesion level to extracellular matrix (ECM) in non-pregnant women with a history of recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). In addition, to evaluate a small-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy influences on T cell adhesion to ECM.

Method Of Study: Phytohemaglutinin (PHA) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) activated T cell adhesion to the following extracellular matrix proteins: collagen IV, fibronectin and elastin were studied in women with the history of RSA.

[Prognostic value of serum MMP-2 level in uterine cancer affected women].

Objectives: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) which can degrade type IV collagen is implicated in cancer invasion and metastasis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum MMP-2 level in patients with endometrial carcinoma (EC) and to compare the level with histological grade G1 to G3 in relation to clinical staging I degree-IV degrees as well as myometrial invasion (M. < 1/2, M.

[Laparoscopic resection of rectovaginal endometriosis: a case report].

Two patients aged 35 i 40 years after extensive clinical evaluation were operated by means of combined approach--laparoscopy and vaginal resection of endometriotic tumors. First laparoscopy was performed in order to dissect rectovaginal septum and separate rectum from the vagina in order to facilitate complete vaginal resection of endometriotic lesions. The integrity of rectum was checked by means of bubble test and after the control of the haemostasis endoscope was removed.

[Stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent surgical treatment due to abdominal hernias].

Objectives: Biochemical modification and resulting biomechanical disfunction of the connective tissue are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of both stress urinary incontinence and abdominal hernias. Since the coincidence between this disorders may be anticipated, the goal of our study was to investigate the occurrence of stress urinary incontinence among women who underwent the surgical treatment of abdominal hernias.

Materials And Methods: Forty seven women who participated into the study were divided into two groups.

[Tension-free vaginal tape operation: the new alternative method of treatment of genuine stress urinary incontinence].

Twenty patients, aged 54.4 +/- 12.6 years, suffering from genuine stress urinary incontinence underwent intravaginal slingplasty.

[The role of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate during puberty in girls].

Objectives: The serum concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in relation to serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and height and weight velocity in girls during puberty were studied.

Material And Methods: One hundred and forty nine healthy girls aged from 9.8 to 14.

The expression of the gene encoding pro-alpha 1 chain of type I collagen in the skin of premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Objectives: The atrophic changes occurring in the skin of postmenopausal women are thought to depend mainly on the oestrogen deficiency secondary to loss of hormonal function of the ovaries. The hypothesis to be tested was whether decreased serum level of oestrogen in these women influences the expression of gene encoding pro-alpha1 chain of type I collagen.

Study Design: The skin specimens from six premenopausal and six postmenopausal women were taken at the time of surgery.

Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases-1 and -3 concentrations in the tunica albuginea, the apical wall of atretic follicles and the corpus luteum of normal human ovaries.

Matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) and -3 (MMP-3) are proteolytic enzymes involved in remodeling the ovarian extracellular matrix throughout the menstrual cycle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the tissue concentrations of MMP-1 and MMP-3 in the apical wall of atretic follicles (androstenedione/estradiol ratio > 4), tunica albuginea dissected from the ovarian surface overlying areas devoid of follicles, corpus luteum, and tunica albuginea covering the corpus luteum. After extraction of MMPs from the tissue samples, their concentrations in the extracts were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

[The influence of hormonal replacement therapy on the certain collagen metabolites].

Rationale Of The Study: Collagen is the most abundant protein within the human body. It constitutes about 80% of the organic part of all tissues. Type I collagen constitutes 95% of the organic part of the bone.

Interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) activity in human ovarian tissue.

The collagen content and collagenase activity were estimated in human ovarian interstitial tissue devoid of all visible follicles in menstruating, fertile as well as climacteric women. The mean total collagenase activity in ovarian specimens taken during both follicular (n = 10, 3.97 +/- 0.

[The influence of IGF-1 on the biosynthesis of type I and III colagen during puberty].

Objectives: The influence of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on the biosynthesis of type I and III collagen during puberty was studied.

Material And Methods: Eighty-four healthy girls aged from 9.8 to 14.

[Laparoscopic modification of Vecchietti operation in the treatment of congenital vaginal aplasia].

Four young women aged 16-18 years were treated by laparoscopic modification of Vecchietti operation because of congenital vaginal aplasia. In all cases the postoperative period was uneventful and in every case functional vagina with the length 12 cm was achieved within 4 to 14 days of treatment. No pain killers were used during the olive traction in order to create a vagina.

Serum leptin concentrations in women taking oral contraceptives.

Objectives: To investigate serum leptin concentrations in women taking oral contraceptives containing the same gestagen and different doses of ethinyl estradiol.

Study Design: 30 women received tablets containing 20 microg of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and 150 microg of desogestrel (DSG) (Mercilon) whereas another group of 30 women received 30 microg of EE and 150 microg of DSG (Marvelon). Serum leptin concentrations were estimated using a Leptin RIA kit (Linco Research USA) after an overnight fast on the first day of the cycle prior to the onset of therapy as well as after the 3rd and 6th treated cycles.

[The analysis of serum lipid profile in anovulatory and ovulatory women in fifth decade of life].

Objectives: We examined the effect of declining ovarian function on lipid profile.

Materials And Methods: Serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides (TG) as well as early follicular phase FSH, periovulatory 17-beta oestradiol and midluteal progesterone levels were estimated. 71 regularly menstruating premenopausal women were divided according to serum progesterone concentration on: anovulatory (progesterone < 4.

[Serum leptin ++ concentration in fetal and maternal compartments].

Objectives: Presumable role of leptin, the product of ob gene, is signalling the energy stores to the brain. Moreover, leptin is also responsible for the food intake through the influence on the appetite. Since the fetal energy metabolism is strongly dependent on maternal nutritional health, leptin should be of peculiar importance during pregnancy.

Role of fascial collagen in stress urinary incontinence.

Objectives: Our purpose was to determine whether collagen of the pubocervical fasciae that support the urethrovesical junction undergoes alterations that might contribute to incontinence.

Study Design: Pubocervical fascia was collected as a residual tissue in 82 patients, aged 25 to 73 years, during surgical treatment of cystocele (n = 26, no incontinence) or of stress urinary incontinence (n = 56). Measurements were made of collagen content, solubility, and cross-linking and of collagenase activity.

[Activity of tissue inhibitors of metal proteinases (TMI) in th fetal membrane during term vaginal delivery].

In the foetal membranes that ruptured spontaneously or by means of amniotomy during term vaginal deliveries the activity of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases was evaluated. Samples were taken from the proximity of the rupture line. Almost twofold lower TIMPs activity in the naturally ruptured membranes was observed.

Local collagen turnover in human foetal membranes during full term vaginal delivery.

Objectives: To investigate if changes in local metabolism of collagens type I and type III may contribute to the term rupture of the foetal membranes.

Study Design: In extracts from membranes taken along the rupture line and near the site of the umbilical cord attachment to the placenta, we measured concentrations of specific markers of collagen synthesis, namely C-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PICP) and N-terminal propeptide of type III collagen (PIIINP), as well as the concentration of the pyridinoline cross-linked C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), which reflects the rate of collagen type I breakdown.

Results: The mean concentrations of PICP and PIIINP did not differ statistically between the two examined groups of samples.

[Burch's operation with laparoscopic modifications as an alternative method of surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence in women].

The preferred therapy for genuine stress incontinence is surgery. The Burch procedure is considered by many to be the gold standard for surgical treatment of genuine stress incontinence. The Burch procedure requires the elevation of the anterior wall of the vagina to the level of the origin of the paravaginal fascia by suspension from Cooper's ligaments.

Eosinophils in human cervical ripening.

Objective: Cervical ripening has many similarities to an inflammatory reaction. Eosinophil granulocytes are involved in several inflammatory responses. The objective was to investigate the presence of eosinophils in human cervix uteri during different conditions.

Onapristone and prostaglandin E2 induction of delivery in the rat in late pregnancy: a model for the analysis of cervical softening.

Objectives: Our purpose was to develop a method to induce premature delivery in rats and to use this method to identify biochemical changes that are critical to cervical dilatation by comparison to changes that occur during term delivery.

Study Design: Rats were treated with antiprogestational agents onapristone or lilopristone in combination with prostaglandin E2 or estradiol on day 19 of pregnancy to induce delivery before term. Mechanical and biochemical changes of the isolated cervix were compared with changes found at term and in 20-day controls.

Extracellular matrix remodelling within the normal human ovarian capsule.

Collagen tissue content and both interstitial (MMP-1) and type IV collagenases (also known as gelatinases) activity within the normal human ovarian capsule were investigated. The apical tunica albuginea (n = 10) displayed a lower mean total collagen concentration than the ovarian capsule areas (n = 9) with no follicles underneath them (137.8 +/- 36.