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Regendova A, Samesova A, Zapletalova K, Horejskova S, Svata Z, Hrdouskova M, Zapletal J, Krofta L, Hajkova Hympanova L. Comparison of Cross-Sectional Area of Pubovisceral Muscle in Nulliparous and Primiparous Women. Int Urogynecol J 2024; 35:841-848. [PMID: 38376549 PMCID: PMC11052823 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-024-05733-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS The main risk factor for pelvic floor disorders is vaginal delivery, which may cause levator ani muscle (LAM) injury and denervation. LAM includes pubovisceral muscle (PVM, pubococcygeus), puborectalis muscle (PRM), and iliococcygeus muscle. We hypothesize that primiparous women with low pelvic floor muscle contraction have a reduced PVM cross-sectional area (CSA) compared to nulliparous women. METHODS (SAMPLE SIZE AND STATISTICAL APPROACHES) This single-centre prospective observational study compared healthy nulliparous (n = 40) to primiparous (n = 40) women after vaginal delivery without LAM avulsion and Oxford score ≤ 3. Demographics, questionnaires (ICIQ-UI-SF, OAB-Q-SF, PISQ-12), POP-Q, Oxford score, ultrasound measurements (minimal anteroposterior and lateral diameters, hiatal area, PRM thickness, levator-urethra gap) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-PVM CSA were evaluated. Normality was tested, and an appropriate test was used to compare the groups. Power calculation suggested 40 participants per group. RESULTS The primiparous group was older, had a higher BMI, and their hiatal area on ultrasound at contraction was larger compared to the nulliparous group. The CSA of the left-sided PVM (1.15 ± 0.50 cm2) was larger compared to the right side (1.03 ± 0.50 cm2), p = 0.02 in nulliparous women. The PVM CSA of primiparous women with low Oxford score was reduced compared to nulliparous (0.87 ± 0.30 versus 1.09 ± 0.50 cm2, p = 0.006). The intra-rater reliability for PVM CSA had an ICC of 0.90 and inter-rater ICC of 0.77. CONCLUSIONS Primiparous women after vaginal delivery with low pelvic floor contraction force had reduced PVM CSA on MRI images compared to nulliparous women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Regendova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Adela Samesova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katerina Zapletalova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Sabina Horejskova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Monika Hrdouskova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Zapletal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and University Hospital Kralovske Vinohrady, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Krofta
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Hajkova Hympanova
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ho T, Zhang J, Wen Y, Guo S, Dobberfuhl AD, Chen B. Long-term effects of vaginal surgery and endogenous ovarian hormones on the vagina and bladder. Sex Med 2023; 11:qfad063. [PMID: 38074491 PMCID: PMC10710297 DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Surgery is a common treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP); however, risk of recurrence and reoperation is high, resulting in a negative impact on quality of life and sexual function. Aim To examine the long-term effects of POP surgery and endogenous circulating ovarian hormones on the vagina and bladder. Methods Our animal model simulated surgical injury of the vagina and bladder during POP surgery. Female Rowett nude rats were divided into 4 groups: intact control (IC), vaginal surgery only (V), ovariectomy only (O), and ovariectomy + vaginal surgery (OV). Rats were euthanized 10 weeks postsurgery. Proximal vagina and bladder dome/trigone underwent (1) organ bath myography to assess smooth muscle contractility; (2) real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to quantify mRNA expression of elastin, collagen I and III, and PGP9.5 (protein gene product 9.5); (3) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for protein quantification of elastin and collagen I and III; and (4) hematoxylin-eosin/immunohistochemistry staining. Outcomes The primary outcome was tissue contractility as measured by organ bath myography. Secondary outcomes included gene and protein expression of collagen I and III and elastin. Results O and OV showed reduced vaginal wall contractility vs IC and V (P < .002). Bladder dome and trigone displayed different contractile patterns, with significant differences between O and OV (P < .05), suggesting a negative effect from surgery rather than ovariectomy. OV demonstrated consistent reductions in contractility and elastin/collagen protein expression for the vagina and bladder vs IC. V had similar contractility and increased collagen I expression vs IC, suggesting a protective effect of ovarian hormones. Vaginal epithelium thinning was confirmed in the ovariectomized groups (P = .001), although there was no statistical significance in muscularis thinning with surgery or ovariectomy. O, V, and OV showed significant downregulation of PGP9.5 mRNA expression vs IC. Clinical Translation These data allow researchers to gain insights into the long-term effects of surgery and deprivation of ovarian hormones. Future studies can use this animal model to investigate other mechanisms that may affect long-term tissue changes due to surgical intervention. Strengths and Limitations Major strengths are long-term data on the effects of POP surgery and development of an animal model for future studies. However, the animal model limits our ability to extrapolate to humans, where tissue healing is modulated by many factors. Conclusion Our animal model provides evidence that ovarian hormone deprivation and POP surgery result in negative long-term effects on tissue function and extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam Ho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Jerry Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Yan Wen
- Department of Urology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | - Song Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
| | | | - Bertha Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States
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Mori da Cunha MGMC, van der Veer BK, Giacomazzi G, Mackova K, Cattani L, Koh KP, Vande Velde G, Gijsbers R, Albersen M, Sampaolesi M, Deprest J. VEGF overexpressed mesoangioblasts enhance urethral and vaginal recovery following simulated vaginal birth in rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:8622. [PMID: 37244975 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35809-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaginal birth causes pelvic floor injury which may lead to urinary incontinence. Cell therapy has been proposed to assist in functional recovery. We aim to assess if intra-arterial injection of rat mesoangioblasts (MABs) and stable Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-expressing MABs, improve recovery of urethral and vaginal function following simulated vaginal delivery (SVD). Female rats (n = 86) were assigned to either injection of saline (control), allogeneic-MABs (MABsallo), autologous-MABs (MABsauto) or allogeneic-MABs transduced to stably expressed VEGF (MABsallo-VEGF). One hour after SVD, 0.5 × 106 MABs or saline were injected into the aorta. Primary outcome was urethral (7d and 14d) and vaginal (14d) function; others were bioluminescent imaging for cell tracking (1, 3 and 7d), morphometry (7, 14 and 60d) and mRNAseq (3 and 7d). All MABs injected rats had external urethral sphincter and vaginal function recovery within 14d, as compared to only half of saline controls. Functional recovery was paralleled by improved muscle regeneration and microvascularization. Recovery rate was not different between MABsallo and MABsauto. MABsallo-VEGF accelerated functional recovery and increased GAP-43 expression at 7d. At 3d we detected major transcriptional changes in the urethra of both MABsallo and MABsallo-VEGF-injected animals, with upregulation of Rho/GTPase activity, epigenetic factors and dendrite development. MABSallo also upregulated transcripts that encode proteins involved in myogenesis and downregulated pro-inflammatory processes. MABsallo-VEGF also upregulated transcripts that encode proteins involved in neuron development and downregulated genes involved in hypoxia and oxidative stress. At 7d, urethras of MABsallo-VEGF-injected rats showed downregulation of oxidative and inflammatory response compared to MABSallo. Intra-arterial injection of MABsallo-VEGF enhances neuromuscular regeneration induced by untransduced MABs and accelerates the functional urethral and vaginal recovery after SVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina G M C Mori da Cunha
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Surgical Technologies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Experimental Gynecology Laboratory -Lok 05.30 ON3, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Bernard K van der Veer
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giorgia Giacomazzi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology Unit, Department Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katerina Mackova
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Surgical Technologies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Institute for the Care of the Mother and Child, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Laura Cattani
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Surgical Technologies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kian Peng Koh
- Laboratory for Stem Cell and Developmental Epigenetics, Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI/Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center (MoSAIC), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Rik Gijsbers
- Laboratory for Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, Flanders, Belgium
- Leuven Viral Vector Core, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Albersen
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maurilio Sampaolesi
- Translational Cardiomyology Laboratory, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology Unit, Department Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Institute Leuven, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Deprest
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Surgical Technologies, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Group Biomedical Sciences, Woman and Child, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Pelvic Floor Unit, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Fang F, Zhao Z, Xiao J, Wen J, Wu J, Miao Y. Current practice in animal models for pelvic floor dysfunction. Int Urogynecol J 2023; 34:797-808. [PMID: 36287229 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-022-05387-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS The objective was to explore the current practice of using animal models for female pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). METHODS By applying PFD and animal models as the keywords, we made a computerized search using PubMed, Ovid-Medline and Ovid-Embase from 2000 to 2022. The publications on the construction and application of animal models for PFD were included, and the results are presented in narrative text. RESULTS Studies on PFD primarily use rodents, large quadrupeds, and nonhuman primates (NHPs). NHPs are closest to humans in anatomy and biomechanics of the pelvic floor, followed by large quadrupeds and rodents. Rodents are more suitable for studying molecular mechanism, histopathology of PFD, and mesh immune rejection. Large quadrupeds are adaptable to the study of pelvic floor biomechanics and the development of new surgical instruments for PFD. NHPs are suitable for studying the occurrence and pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse. Among modeling methods, violent destruction of pelvic floor muscles, regulation of hormone levels, and denervation were used to simulate the occurrence of PFD. Gene knockout can be used to study both the pathogenesis of PFD and the efficacy of treatments. Other methods such as abdominal wall defect, vaginal defect, and in vitro organ bath system are more frequently used to observe wound healing after surgery and to verify the efficacy of treatments. CONCLUSIONS The rat is currently the most applicable animal type for numerous modeling methods. Vaginal dilation is the most widely used modeling method for research on the pathogenesis, pathological changes, and treatment of PFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, West China Campus, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jingyue Xiao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jirui Wen
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- Deep Underground Space Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yali Miao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, West China Campus, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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Mori da Cunha MGMC, Mackova K, Hympanova LH, Bortolini MAT, Deprest J. Animal models for pelvic organ prolapse: systematic review. Int Urogynecol J 2021; 32:1331-1344. [PMID: 33484287 PMCID: PMC8203535 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-020-04638-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS We aimed to summarize the knowledge on the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) generated in animal models. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane and the Web of Science to establish what animal models are used in the study of suggested risk factors for the development of POP, including pregnancy, labor, delivery, parity, aging and menopause. Lack of methodologic uniformity precluded meta-analysis; hence, results are presented as a narrative review. RESULTS A total of 7426 studies were identified, of which 51 were included in the analysis. Pregnancy has a measurable and consistent effect across species. In rats, simulated vaginal delivery induces structural changes in the pelvic floor, without complete recovery of the vaginal muscular layer and its microvasculature, though it does not induce POP. In sheep, first vaginal delivery has a measurable effect on vaginal compliance; measured effects of additional deliveries are inconsistent. Squirrel monkeys can develop POP. Denervation of their levator ani muscle facilitates this process in animals that delivered vaginally. The models used do not develop spontaneous menopause, so it is induced by ovariectomy. Effects of menopause depend on the age at ovariectomy and the interval to measurement. In several species menopause is associated with an increase in collagen content in the longer term. In rodents there were no measurable effects of age apart of elastin changes. We found no usable data for other species. CONCLUSION In several species there are measurable effects of pregnancy, delivery and iatrogenic menopause. Squirrel monkeys can develop spontaneous prolapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Gabriela M C Mori da Cunha
- Centre for Surgical Technologies, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katerina Mackova
- Centre for Surgical Technologies, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Hajkova Hympanova
- Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Maria Augusta T Bortolini
- Department of Gynecology, Sector of Urogynecology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jan Deprest
- Centre for Surgical Technologies, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Woman and Child, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Pelvic Floor Unit, University Hospitals, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Center of Surgical Technologies UZ Herestraat, Herestraat49, B3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Ghorbani Z, Mirghafourvand M, Farshbaf Khalili A, Javadzadeh Y, Shakouri SK, Dastranj Tabrizi A. The Effect of Panax ginseng on Genitourinary Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Complement Med Res 2021; 28:419-426. [PMID: 33730722 DOI: 10.1159/000514944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Menopause and estrogen deprivation cause a rise in the number of urogenital tract complaints. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of ginseng on genitourinary syndrome. METHODS This randomized trial was conducted on 60 postmenopausal women with genitourinary syndrome. The participants were randomly allocated to ginseng and placebo groups twice daily for 4 weeks. Vaginal maturation index and vaginal pH were evaluated before and 4 weeks after intervention as the primary outcomes. Also, the atrophic vaginitis and incontinence questionnaires were completed before and after intervention as the secondary outcomes. The safety of intervention was assessed by the side effects checklist. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in objective symptoms after the intervention, but the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001) in terms of subjective symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. One case of insomnia and palpitation and 2 cases of hot flashes were reported in the intervention group, and 1 case of gastric discomfort and change in urine appearance was reported in the placebo group. CONCLUSION Ginseng only improved the patient-assessed symptoms and had no significant effect on the clinician-assessed outcomes. Further studies are required to determine the precise pharmacological mechanisms of ginseng on genitourinary syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Ghorbani
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojgan Mirghafourvand
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran,
| | - Azizeh Farshbaf Khalili
- Midwifery Department, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Javadzadeh
- Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Seyed Kazem Shakouri
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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