• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2007

Purpose: Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are common estrogen-dependent uterine tumors. Houttuynia cordata thunberg has cancer-preventing properties and often used in Chinese medicine. In the present study we used Houttuynia cordata thunberg to determine its effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human uterine leiomyoma cells. Methods: Primary cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells were treated with Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Cell viability analysis was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTS) assay and Flow cytometry was performed to ascertain the effects Houttuynia cordata thunberg. Expression of cell cycle related proteins and apoptosis related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability was significantly influenced by Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in a dose-dependent manner in leiomyoma cells compare to normal myometrial cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that Houttuynia cordata thunberg induced Sub G1 arrest. DNA fragmentation assay was carried out and apoptosis was detected. Activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, with concomitant increase in p21 was observed. Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment of uterine leiomyoma cellsresulted in a concentration-dependent cell death induced via the caspase dependent mechanism. Conclusion: These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg treatment in uterine leiomyoma cells leads to growth inhibition and induced apoptosis. These results suggest that Houttuynia cordata thunberg will be a promising agent for use in therapeutics agents against human uterine endometrial cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.5
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• pp.1083-1095
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• 2020

Since 2019, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of urogenital disorders have been covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Korea. Patients with urogenital malignancies were already insured by NHI for ultrasound and MRI. With the expansion of NHI coverage, patients with suspected prostate or gynecologic cancer, uterine fibroids before myomectomy and some other benign disease such as congenital anomaly can receive benefits of NHI. In consideration of these changes, radiologists and other clinicians should be aware of the indications and standard images of each examination and the required reporting forms. Clinical application based upon thorough understanding of the NHI guidelines will aid in improving the standard care of patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.1123-1127
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• 2015

Uterine leiomyomas (ULM), are benign tumors of the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium. They represent a common health problem and are estimated to be present in 30-70% of clinically reproductive women. Abnormal angiogenesis and vascular-related growth factors have been suggested to be associated with ULM growth. The angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) is related with several tumors. The aim of this study was to identify possible correlation between ULM and the ACE I/D polymorphism, to evaluate whether the ACE I/D polymorphism could be a marker for early diagnosis and prognosis. ACE I/D was amplified with specific primer sets recognizing genomic DNA from ULM (n=72) and control (n=83) volunteers and amplicons were separated on agarose gels. The observed genotype frequencies were in agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium ($x^2=2.162$, p=0.339). There was no association between allele frequencies and study groups ($x^2=0.623$; p=0.430 for ACE I allele, $x^2=0.995$; p=0.339 for ACE D allele). In addition, there were no significant differences between ACE I/D polymorphism genotype frequencies and ULM range in size and number ($X^2=1.760;$ p=0.415 for fibroid size, $X^2=0.342;$ p=0.843 for fibroid number). We conclude that the ACE gene I/D polymorphism is not related with the size or number of ULM fibroids in Turkish women. Thus it cannot be regarded as an early diagnostic parameter nor as a risk estimate for ULM predisposition.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.240-260
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• 2006

Purpose : The objective of this study is to serve guidelines for the investigation and management of uterine myomas with KM therapies. Methods : English-language articles from PubMed and Korean-language articles from the database of the journal of oriental gynecology were reviewed from 2000 to 2005, using the key words 'uterine myoma', 'uterine leiomyoma', 'fibroid', 'uterine artery embolization', 'endometrial ablation', 'myomectomy', and jagungguenjong(子宮筋腫)'. Results and Limits : The areas of clinical practices considered in formulating this guideline are assessment, KM therapies, medical treatments, myolysis, selective artery occlusion, endometrial ablation and surgical therapies including myomectomy and hysterectomy. Implementation of this guideline would optimize the decision-making process of women with uterine myomas and further investigation or therapy of their KM doctors. But we don't have abundant evidences of clinical trials of uterine myoma treated with KM therapy, though we treat or manage that with every-day clinical practices. Moreover cultural gaps between Korea and other western countries make many differences in the attitude to surgical therapies, especially hysterectomy. So it is very difficult to compare W therapies with other therapies. Moreover it is much difficult to estimate cost-effectiveness and benefit of those therapies in QOL. Conclusions : The majority of uterine myoma is asymptomatic and will not require any intervention or further investigation. But unmarried women who wish to marry and get pregnant want to find safe therapy for their asymptomatic uterine myomas. In that case, most of the patients prefer non-surgical therapy to surgical therapy. So KM herbal medicinal therapy is a good alternative method for those patients. For the symptomatic myomas, hysterectomy offers a definitive solution. However, it is not the best solution for women who wish to preserve their uterus. So KM therapy is a good alternative for them. But the predicted benefits of alternative therapies including KM therapy must be carefully weighed against the Possible risks of these therapies. To improve the quality of life of both women with asymptomatic and symptomatic myomas, selecting and treating patients should be done carefully. Moreover, the effect of KM therapy has to evaluated, comparing the possible situation without treatment and the benefit of constant treatment as a health-care system.