• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.77-91
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• 2005

Purpose : Trichosanthis Radix is traditional medical herb which has been shown to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. In this study, the effects of Trichosanthis Radix extract were investigated on inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human uterine cervical carcinoma cells. Methods : Human uterine cervical carcinoma cells line, ME-180, was used for the study. The cells were treated with varying concentrations of Trichosanthis Radix extract. Cell growth and inhibitory rate were measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis induction was detected by fluorescence microscopy, DNA ladder formation and flow cytometry. Results : Trichosanthis Radix extract inhibited the growth of human uterine cervical carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. It induced ME-180 cells to undergo apoptosis including fragmented nuclei and nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis showed the increasing rate of apoptotic cells by Trichosanthis Radix extract. Reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in caspase-3 activity and were found in ME-180 cells treated with Trichosanthis Radix extract. Conclusion : Our data suggest that Trichosanthis Radix extract inhibit the growth and proliferation of ME-180 cells by apoptotic induction and facilitates its activity via caspase-3 activation initiated by depolarization of mitochondria.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.38-48
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Hominis Placenta (紫河車) on the growth of human uterine myoma cells and cell apoptosis. Methods: Human uterine leiomyoma cells were cultured and treated with Hominis Placenta extract for 48 hours. Cell proliferation and activity was analyzed by MTT assay. We analyzed the cell cycle of human uterine myoma cells treated Hominis Placenta extract by FACS. Expression of proteins related to cell apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2), cyclin-D1 and VEGF were evaluated by Western blotting method. Results: The human uterine myoma cells treated by Hominis Placenta extract didn't proliferate below the concentration of $10mg/m{\ell}$. And there was no remarkable difference on cell cycle analysis below the concentration of $10mg/m{\ell}$. The expression of Bax was decreased and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased after the treatment of Hominis Placenta extract. But the expressions of cyclin-D1 and VEGF were increased after the treatment of Hominis Placenta extract. Conclusion: This study suggests that Hominis Placenta induce uterine myoma cell apoptosis and have effect on the myoma cell proliferation in the concentraion below $10mg/m{\ell}$.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2007

This study is a report about a specific patient whose primary stomach adenocarcinoma metastasized to uterine cervix adenocarcinoma. A thirty-nine year old female patient was initially diagnosed as having metastatic adenocarcinoma in the supraclavicular lymph node. Upon further examination, she was diagnosed with stomach adenocarcinoma. 8 months later, a cervix punch biopsy was performed. The stains used for examination were H&E stain, PAS stain, Alcian blue stain, Mucicarmine stain, Papanicolaou's (Pap.) stain, and as immunohistochemical stains, cytokeratin 7 and 20 were done. In the H&E stain, the tumor cells showed prominent and eccentric nuclei, thin nuclear membrane in abundant mucous cytoplasm, and cylinder shape. In the PAS stain, intracytoplasmic mucin vacuoles were stained with pink, and in Alcian blue and Mucicarmine stains, intracytoplasmic mucin vacuoles were stained with blue and red. As in the above results, she was diagnosed with undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. As found on the cytologic smear preparation of the uterine cervix stained by Papanicolaou's stains, the background was relatively clear, the number of malignant cells was relatively low, and large and eccentric nuclei in abundant cytoplasm were observed. Upon observing the tissue preparation of the uterine cervix biopsy by H&E stain, a clear background, large and eccentric nuclei, and a signet ring cell types were observed, and the number of malignant cells were fewer than in the primary uterine cervix adenocarcinoma. The vacuoles in cytoplasm were observed. The nuclear membrane and chromatin were thick and very rough, and upon observation by cytokeratin 7 and 20 of immunohistochemical stain, the tumor cells indicated a positive rate of 70% and 20%, respectively. According to these results, also she was diagnosed with metastasized uterine cervix adenocarcinoma. In summary of the results of pathologic findings on stomach biopsy and cytologic, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical finding on uterine cervix biopsy, the adenocarcinoma of her uterine cervix could assert the adenocarcinoma of signet ring cell type that was metastasized from the primary undifferentiated adenocarcinoma in stomach.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 1993

The studies were carried out to investigate the effects of co-culture with cumulus cell, oviduct epithelial cells and uterine endometrial cells on the in-vitro fertilization and cleavage rate of porcine follicular oocytes. The ovaries were obtained from slaughtered swine. The follicular oocytes surrounded with cumulus cells were recovered by aspirating follicular fluids from the visible follicles of diameter 3~5 mm. The follicular oocytes were cultured in TCM-199 medium containing hormones and 10% FCS for 24~48 hrs in a incubator with 5% CO2 in air at 38.5$^{\circ}C$ and then matured oocytes were again cultured for 12~18 hrs with motile capacitated sperm by preincubation. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows : 1. The in-vitro maturation and fertilization rate of porcine oocytes co-cultured with cumulus cells in TCM-199 meidum were 64.6%~74.5% and 37.5%~55.3%, respectively. And in-vitro fertilization rate of cumulus-enclosed oocytes(51.5%) were significantly(p<0.05) higher than cumulus-denuded oocytes(21.7%). 2. The in-vitro maturation and fertilization rate of porcine oocytes co-cultured with 1$\times$104 cells/ml, 1$\times$106 cells/ml, 1$\times$108 cells/ml and 1$\times$1015 cells/ml oviduct epithelial cells in TCM-199 medium were 53.5% and 37.2%, 61.7% and 46.8%, 54.5% and 31.8%, 42.2% and 26.7%, respectively. 3. The in-vintro maturation and fertilization rate of porcine oocytes co-cultured with 1$\times$106/ml, 1$\times$108/ml, 1$\times$1015/ml uterine endometrial cells in TCM-199 medium were 54.3% and 39.1%, 58.3% and 43.8%, 55.5% and 33.3%, and 45.7% and 30.4%, respectively. 4. When the in-vitro fertilized oocytes were co-cultured with porcine cumulus cells, ovdiduct epithelial cells and uterine endometrial cells, the development rate to the blastocyst stage was 9.5%, 10.7% and 11.8%, respectively and the rates were higher than that of control, 2.1%(p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 1991

We present the cytologic features of small ceil neuroendocrine carcinoma of the liver metastasized from the uterine cervix. Cytologically, tumor cells were arranged in a pattern of solid sheet in necrotic background. The tumor cells were characterized by uniform, small cells, round hyperchromatic nuclei, and high nuclear cytoplasmic ratio. The smears showed frequent mitotic figures and rosette formation. These findings were identified with the previous histologic sections of uterine cervix. To make a diagnosis of metastatic small ceil neuroendocrine carcinoma on the Papanicolaou smear, a high index of suspicion and careful review of clinical history are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.170-176
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• 2023

Objective: Autophagy is highly active in ovariectomized mice experiencing hormone deprivation, especially in the uterine mesenchyme. Autophagy is responsible for the turnover of vasoactive factors in the uterus, which was demonstrated in anti-Müllerian hormone receptor type 2 receptor (Amhr2)-Cre-driven autophagy-related gene 7 (Atg7) knockout (Amhr-Cre/Atg7^f/f mice). In that study, we uncovered a striking difference in the amount of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) accumulation between virgin mice and breeder mice with the same genotype. Herein, we aimed to determine whether repeated breeding changed the composition of mesenchymal cell populations in the uterine stroma. Methods: All female mice used in this study were of the same genotype. Atg7 was deleted by Amhr2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase in the uterine stroma and myometrium, except for a triangular stromal region on the mesometrial side. Amhr-Cre/Atg7^f/f female mice were divided into two groups: virgin mice with no mating history and aged between 11 and 12 months, and breeder mice with at least 6-month breeding cycles with multiple pregnancies and aged around 12 months. The uteri were used for Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Results: SQSTM1 accumulation, representing Atg7 deletion and halted autophagy, was much higher in virgin mice than in breeders. Breeders showed reduced accumulation of several vasoconstrictive factors, which are potential autophagy targets, in the uterus, suggesting that the uterine stroma was repopulated with autophagy-intact cells during repeated pregnancies. Conclusion: Multiple pregnancies seem to have improved the uterine environment by replacing autophagy-deficient cells with autophagy-intact cells, providing evidence of cell mixing.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 2013

The endometrium undergoes a cyclic growth and tissue remodeling as changes of epithelial cells, and plasminogen activators (PAs) are related to endometrium tissue remodeling. This study was to evulate expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in porcine uterine epithelial cells. In results, the uPA and tPA were expressed in uterine tissue, epithelium and secretory glands in porcine endometrial cell. In addition, the uPA and tPA were expressed in cultured epithelial cells, and it were mainly expressed in cytoplasm. In porcine uterine tissue and epithelial cells, uPA activity was higher than activity in tPA. In PAs mRNA expression levels, uPA mRNA level was significantly higher than tPA mRNA level (P<0.05). The fluorescence intensity of uPA protein was also higher than fluorescence intensity of tPA protein, and uPA protein expression was significantly higher than in tPA protein expression (P<0.05). Therefore, we suggest that a physiological function in porcine uterine epithelial cells should be more influenced by uPA than in tPA during pre-ovulatory phase.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2020

A 5-year-old female lion-head rabbit weighing 2 kg was brought to a local animal hospital with hematuria. Radiography showed a mass in the uterus, which was removed by ovariohysterectomy. Macroscopic examination showed several masses in both uterine horns. These masses, which invaded the deep uterine walls, were firm to the touch, and their cut surfaces were greyish-white in color. Histopathologically, these masses were nonencapsulated and were composed of spindle cells arranged in cellular, large interlacing bundles or streams. The tumor cells had elongate nuclei with prominent nucleoli, granular chromatin and eosinophilic cytoplasm. Moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis were observed. Severe and extensive inflammation and necrosis were present within the masses. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, desmin, and α-smooth muscle actin, but negative for cytokeratin. These uterine masses were diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a uterine leiomyosarcoma in the rabbit in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.141-161
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was performed to investigate the effects of Sobokchukeo- Tang(SCT) on the experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Materials and Methods : Endometriosis was induced via the surgical autotransplantation technique in rats. A laparotomy was performed and a $4\;{\times}\;4\;mm$ of the right uterine horn was resected incised and sutured to the peritoneum. And the animals divided into control(n=8) and SCT-treated group(n=8). SCT(1,000 mg/head) was administered orally for 15 days after operation. The weights(body, left uterus, and ovaries) and concentrations of cytokines(MCP-1,$TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-l{\beta}$) were measured. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cells of the transplanted uterine tissues were performed. Results : - The $volume(mm^3)$ of transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(92.88{\pm}41.89)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group $(404.50{\pm}317.68)$. The concentration(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in ascites of SCT-treated group$(5,256{\pm}1,209)$ was significantly(p<<0.001) decreased than the control group$(8,632{\pm}1,245)$. - The concentration(pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in ascites of SCT-treated group$(521.8{\pm}306.1)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group$(1,245.2{\pm}362.2)$. - The percentage of COX-2 positive epithelial layer in transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(25.0{\pm}7.3)$ was significantly(p<<0.001) decreased than the control group$(50.2{\pm}8.2)$. - The number of mast cells in the stroma of transplanted uterine tissues of SCT-treated group$(16.5{\pm}6.8)$ was significantly(p<<0.05) decreased than the control group$(26.0{\pm}7.7)$. - The number of mast cells in the periphery of transplanted uterine tissues of control group$(71.3{\pm}18.5)$ was significantly(p<<0.01) decreased than the control group$(109.3{\pm}30.2)$. - Proliferation of epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and microanglogenesis in transplanted uterine tissues of treated group were weakly observed than the control group. Conclusion : From the above results, Sobokchukeo-Tang(SCT) has an inhibitory effect on the development of transplanted uterine tissue in rats and it is related to the decreased concentration of MCP-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, and decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Sobokchukeo-Tang.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2004

Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology is known to be a sensitive and effective screening method for cervical neoplasm $MonoPrep^{TM},\;ThinPrep^{TM},\;and\;SurePath^{TM}$ methods have been recently used as Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology techniques, and the $SurePath^{TM}$ method has been used in Sung-Yoon Reference Laboratory since 2003. The goal of Liquid-Based Uterine Cervicovaginal Cytology is to separate cervical epithelial cells from non-target cells, red blood cells and neutrophils. This report describes a study which evaluated cellularity, stainablilty, and cellular changes of epithelial cels in samples processed using a manual technique as compared to samples processed using $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method. The samples processed by means of a manual technique contained a cellularity of epithelial cells similar to that of the samples processed using the $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method. In addition, we compared variable density gradient reagents, including dextran, dextrose, and sucrose, to $SurePath^{TM}$ gradient media in order to evaluate cell fractionation and cellularity of epithelial cells. 10% dextran of gradient media shows good fractionation. The samples processed with 10% dextran demonstrated sufficient cellularity of epithelial cells and shows the fewest cellular changes. In conclusion, using a manual technique on these samples is easier to read than those results obtained using the $SurePath^{TM}$ automated method.