Analysis of glycosaminoglycans in the parametrium and vaginal apex of women with and without uterine prolapse.

Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a downward descent of pelvic organs that results in protrusions of the vagina, the uterus, or both. The cause of this disorder is likely to be multifactorial, attributable to a combination of risk factors, especially connective tissue disorders. Our objective was to characterize and quantify a component of the extracellular matrix (ECM)-sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-in the parametrium and vaginal apex of women with and without uterine prolapse.

Methods: Parametrium and vaginal apex tissue was obtained from 42 women who underwent surgery. Patients underwent a physical examination and were divided into groups according to the type of genital prolapse. Standard biopsies were taken during surgery and were assessed by biochemical methods. GAGs were obtained by proteolysis. The relative concentration of GAGs was determined by densitometry. Data were compared using an independent sample t-test or chi(2) test.

Results: In both groups (with and without prolapse) and in both types of tissue, dermatan sulfate (DS) was the most predominant glycosaminoglycan, followed by chondroitin sulfate (CS) and heparan sulfate (HS). We did not observe significant differences in the total amounts of GAGs, DS, CS, or HS.

Conclusions: This study did not show altered biochemical characteristics in the ECM of parametrium and vaginal apex tissue of women either with or without uterine prolapse.