• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.479-483
• /
• 2004

The aim of this study was carried to the induction of follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) in rat myometrium tissue by exogenous estrogen. PCR was performed by using estrogen treatment after ovariectomy of myometrium mRNA and only ovariectomy of myometrium mRNA and on ovariectomy of myometrium mRNA in rat normal uterus tissue. The PCR products were visualized on agarose gel (1.2％) electrophoresis. FSTL1 mRNA expression level was significantly higher (**P<0.001 or *P<0.05) in estrogen treatment after ovariectomy than in only ovariectomy, and was significantly higher (**P<0.001) in no ovariectomy than in estrogen with treatment after ovariectomy. In conclusion, Although the mechanisms of FSTL1 gene were uncertain, It also might be inducted by exogenous estrogen. And also it is thought to be related to the estorgen mechanism.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.219-223
• /
• 2012

The present study was performed to identify the relationship between plasminogen activator (PA) and Heat Shock Protein-90 (HSP-90) in porcine uterus tissues during the estrous cycle. Porcine uterus tissues were obtained from preovulatory (Pre-Ov), post-ovulatory (Post-Ov) and early to mid-luteal (Early-mid L) stages. The protein was extracted from uterus tissue by using M-PER Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent. Proteins were refined by RIPA Buffer and quantified by BCA methods. As results, t-PA expression was significantly (p<0.05) higher from pre-ovulatory(Epithelium tissue: $29,067{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $30,797{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) compared to the post-ovulatory stage(Epithelium tissue: $54,357{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $53,270{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) and early to mid-luteal stage(Epithelium tissue: $42,380{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $43,139{\mu}g/{\mu}l$). On the other hand, the uPA expression indicated higher from early to mid-luteal stage (Epithelium tissue: $0.02198{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $0.02412{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) than pre-ovulatory stage (Epithelium tissue: $0.01577{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $0.01531{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) and post-ovulatory stage(Epithelium tissue: $0.01414{\mu}g/{\mu}l$, Myometrium tissue: $0.01429{\mu}g/{\mu}l$). However, expression of u-PA did not differ from each estrous cycle in the epithelium tissue and myometrium tissue(p<0.05). Expression of HSP-90 was differ t-PA and u-PA from pre-ovulatory in Epithelium tissue($25,423{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) and early to mid-luteal stage in epithelium tissue($177,922{\mu}g/{\mu}l$) and myometrium tissue($26,664{\mu}g/{\mu}l$). These results suggest that HSP-90 and u-PA were related with change of uterus cycle according to the reformation of the tissues in porcine uterus.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.547-556
• /
• 2016

Myometrial relaxation of mouse via expression of two-pore domain acid sensitive (TASK) channels was studied. In our previous report, we suggested that two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2) might be one of the candidates for the regulation of uterine circular smooth muscles in mice. In this study, we tried to show the mechanisms of relaxation via TASK-2 channels in marine myometrium. Isometric contraction measurements and patch clamp technique were used to verify TASK conductance in murine myometrium. Western blot and immunehistochemical study under confocal microscopy were used to investigate molecular identity of TASK channel. In this study, we showed that TEA and 4-AP insensitive non-inactivating outward $K^+$ current (NIOK) may be responsible for the quiescence of murine pregnant longitudinal myometrium. The characteristics of NIOK coincided with two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2). NIOK in the presence of $K^+$ channel blockers was inhibited further by TASK inhibitors such as quinidine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis. Furthermore, oxytocin and estrogen inhibited NIOK in pregnant myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed stronger inhibition of NIOK by quinidine and increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in the longitudinal myometrium of mouse. Activation of TASK-2 channels seems to play an essential role for relaxing uterus during pregnancy and it might be one of the alternatives for preventing preterm delivery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2009

Although extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ entry through the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels plays an important role in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the pregnant rat myometrium, the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels has yet to be fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the rat myometrium. Spontaneous phasic contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were measured simultaneously in the longitudinal strips of female Sprague-Dawley rats late in their pregnancy (on day 18 ${\sim}$ 20 of gestation: term=22 days). The expression of T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel mRNAs or protein levels was measured. Cumulative addition of low concentrations (< 1 ${\mu}M$) of nifedipine, a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, produced a decrease in the amplitude of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions with no significant change in frequency. The mRNAs and proteins encoding two subunits (${\alpha}$ 1G, ${\alpha}$ 1H) of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were expressed in longitudinal muscle layer of rat myometrium. Cumulative addition of mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions. Mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel also attenuated the slope of rising phase of spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients consistent with the reduction of the frequency. It is concluded that T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are expressed in the pregnant rat myometrium and may play a key role for the regulation of the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.174-177
• /
• 2014

Adenomyosis is a common gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma deep within the myometrium associated with myometrial hypertrophy and hyperplasia. Focal uterine infarction after IVF-ET in a patient with adenomyosis following biochemical pregnancy has not been previously reported, although it occurs after uterine artery embolization in order to control symptoms caused by fibroids or adenomyosis. We report a case of a nulliparous woman who had uterine adenomyosis presenting with fever, pelvic pain and biochemical abortion after undergoing an IVF-ET procedure and the detection of a slightly elevated serum hCG. Focal uterine infarction was suspected after a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated preserved myometrium between the endometrial cavity and inner margin of the necrotic myometrium. This case demonstrates that focal uterine infarction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding and infectious signs in women experiencing biochemical abortion after an IVF-ET procedure.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.19-22
• /
• 2008

Adenomyosis is a nonneoplastic proliforation of uterine glands characterized by multicentric infiltration of endometrial tissues into the myometrium. A female domestic short hair cat with unknown age was referred to local animal hospital in Busan for ovariohysterectomy to prevent the unwanted offspring. At the time of surgery, the uterus was enlarged with multiple nodular protrusion on the serosa. On the cut surface of uterus, elevation of the endometrium and hypertrophied myometrium were observed. Microscopically, the uterus was characterized by severe proliforation of endometrial glands into the lumen and within the myometrium. The intra-myometrial endometrium is circumferentially surrounded by bundles of hypertrophic smooth muscle cells. These endometrial glands had tall columnar epithelium lacking nuclear atypia and mitoses. In our best knowledge, this is the first report of feline adenomyosis in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.221-231
• /
• 1996

The properties of cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level$([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ movement of high KCl, carbachol and oxytocin were examined with myometrium isolated from non-pregnant rat(estrus cycle). High concentration of KCl$({\leq}23.3mM)$ induced rhythmic increases in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle contraction. However, sustained $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and contracion were obtained at higher KCl concentration $({\geq}30.3mM)$ The rhythmic and sustained contraction closely associated with changes in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ induced by high KCl. Carbachol $(3{\sim}30{\mu}M$ generated rhythmic increases with tonic component in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle contraction. Myometrial contraction stimulated by carbachol was also closely correlated with change in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. And the $[Ca^{2+}]_i/contraction$ relationships were similar when muscle strips were stimulated by high KCl and carbachol. Maximal concentration of carbachol $(10{\mu}M)$ and oxytocin(100 nM) increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and contraction which were slightly greater than that of high KCl in non-pregnant myometrium, respectively. However, the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and contraction were strongly inhibited by verapamil $(10{\mu}M)$, a 1-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, as in the case of high KCl. Additionally, although carbachol further increased $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and contraction induced by high KCl, these changes also strongly inhibited by application of verapamil. These results suggest that uterotonic agents, carbachol and oxytocin, induced contraction by increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ through $Ca^{2+}$ influx than by a regulation of $Ca^{2+}-sensitization$ in non-pregnant myometrium.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2007

As an initial step toward better understanding of the molecular mechanism of estrogen-dependent growth in myoma, an optimal primary cell culture condition has been developed and examined by this study. Myoma and myometrium were cultured by two different methods. Culture stability and $E_2$-responsiveness in stable culture were studied. The culture of digested tissue pieces(Method 2) was found to be a stable culture method for the myoma and myometrium showing a favorable response to estrogen. mRNA expression of PR, IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor genes was enhanced by $E_2$. The gene responses to $E_2$ were higher in myoma compared with myometrium. Moreover, these responses were more expressive in tissues than in the surrounding cells in primary culture of normal myometrium and myoma, implying a vital role of cell communication through the extracellular matrix in maintaining the estrogen-responsiveness. The development of an improved cell culture system for myoma provides an in vitro tool to further investigate the basis of the tumor formation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.91-97
• /
• 1979

This paper was carried out to observe prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}$-induced morphological changes in the placenta. White mice received intramuscular injections of $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$(containing dinoprost tromethamine 0.5mg/ml, Upjohn Co.) in once or twice with doses of 0.1ml on 10th to 18th day of their respective pregnancies, the histological changes of the placentae and ovaries were observed with light microscope. Abortion within 21 to 51 hours following $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ administration occurred in the pregnant mice. Vacuolization of trophospongial cells, giant cells and myometrium under decidua basalis, spherical acidophilic inclusion bodies of various sixtes in trophospongial cells and giant cells. hydropic degeneration and necrosis of labyrinthine trophoblasts and yolk cells, and infltration of neutrophils in the placenta and the uterus were observed. In addition, there were decrease in glycogen of the placental labyrinth and the visceral yolk sac, but increase in glycogen deposit of mesometrial myometrium. Atrophy and increase in number of large lipid droplets of the luteal cells and proliferation of fibroblasts were also recognized in the corpora lutea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.137-147
• /
• 1984

Cells with an epithelioid morphology were isolated from the rabbit myometrium and were grown in culture. The cells had a doubling time of 53 hours when grown in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum in Basal Eagle's medium with 3mM glutamine. In the presence of estrogen plus insulin, doubling time was reduced to 40 hours. Creatine kinase activity upon reaching confluency was determined to be 0.019 unit per mg protein. Approximately 30% of the activity was extractable only in high ionic strength buffer. Cells also contained plasminogen activator with a specific activity of 140 CTA units per million cells. Creatine kinase was mainly BB form. The cells contained a cross reactive protein against bovine smooth muscle uterine anti-myosin.