OBJECTIVE Minimally invasive methods are used as alternatives to treat leiomyomas and include uterine artery embolization, which has emerged as a safe, effective method. This study aims to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging predictors for a reduction in leiomyoma volume in patients undergoing uterine artery embolization. METHODS This prospective longitudinal study was performed at a univ...

The present study tested the hypothesis that the pregnancy-associated increase in endothelium-dependent relaxation of the uterine artery was mediated primarily by an increase in nitric oxide (NO) release, resulting in a reduction in smooth muscle intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). Uterine arteries obtained from nonpregnant and near-term (140 days gestation) pregnant sheep were us...

T he uterus is the most common site to develop smooth muscle tumors. Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) contain benign smooth muscle and fibrous tissues. Twenty percent to 40% of reproductive age women develop uterine fibroids, with a higher incidence in African Americans. Although the decline in hormonal stimulation causes most fibroids to regress at menopause, 20% become symptomatic before then. U...

T-box proteins are conserved transcription factors that play crucial roles in development of all metazoans; and, in humans, mutations affecting T-box genes are associated with a variety of congenital diseases and cancers. Despite the importance of this transcription factor family, very little is known regarding how T-box factors regulate gene expression. The Caenorhabditis elegans genome contai...

A 30-year-old woman was referred to us with red and firm nodules on upper lateral aspect of left arm. These nodules were present for 15 years without pain but with intense pruritus.She reported uterine leiomyoma in the past, but family history for similar lesions was negative. Blood tests were normal, but pelvis ultrasound showed a large uterine leiomyoma.<...

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors, diethylamine/nitric oxide (DEA/NO) and nitroglycerin (NTG), on isolated uterine and aortic tissues from non-pregnant, mid and late pregnant rats. METHODS The uterus and thoracic aorta were obtained from non-pregnant (estrous cycle) and pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on day 14 and day 21. The uterine and aortic rings were incubated in...

An immortalized implantation site intermediate trophoblastic cell line, IST-1, was established from a human placenta of 7 weeks gestation. IST-1 cells phenotypically resembled the implantation site intermediate trophoblastic cells in situ and expressed Mel-CAM (MUC 18 or CD146). Mel-CAM is a cell adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin gene superfamily. It is involved in heterophilic ...

Background: Uterine lipoleiomyoma is a rare lipomatous variant of uterine leiomyoma composed variable mixture mature smooth muscle cells and adipocytes, typically found in peri or postmenopausal women. Malignancies arising from the tumor have rarely been reported though it considered benign. Cases: We present three cases review literature to explore its etiology, characteristics, diagnosis mali...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and Arginin-Vasopressin (AVP) on contractility of non-pregnant uterus in diabetic Wistar rats and to explore whether one-week administration of Melatonin (MLT) or Ghrelin (GHR) will change the response of diabetic uterine muscle to AngII and AVP. Uterine horns, prepared by the method of isolated tissues were ...

Uterine muscle contraction is dependent on external Ca2+ and Ca2+ release from cytoplasmic storage sites. In this study, the mechanism of Ca2+ mobilization in uterine muscle cells by glycoside, dalsaxini, isolated from the root of D. Saxatilis was investigated in the rat. Uterine muscle contractility stimulated by dalsaxin was concentration dependent (ED50 0.13 mg/ml) and was significantly atte...