• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1998

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme involved in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins (PGs), and exists in two forms, COX-1 and COX-2. COX has been reported to be involved in early implantation by secretion of PGs which causes permeability of vessels and reaction of decidual cells around the implantation site. Recently, in mice and sheep studies, COX-1 and COX-2 expression in the endometrium has been reported to be different according to implantation and stages of the estrous cycle, but expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle has not yet been established. The purpose of this study was to observe the variances of COX-1 and COX-2 expression by immunohistochemical staining in endometrial samples obtained from human hysterectomy specimens and biopsies of women of reproductive age according to different stages of the menstrual cycle. Also, we attempted to observe COX-1 and COX-2 expression in the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium obtained during the mid-secretory phase, which were cultured separately. COX-2 showed a cyclic pattern of expression according to the different stages of the menstrual cycle and was strongly expressed particularly at the mid-secretory phase which corresponds to the time of implantation. However, COX-1 tended to be increased in the early proliferative, and mid- and late secretory phases, but was also expressed in the whole menstrual cycle showing no particular pattern. In the separately cultured cells COX-1 was expressed in epithilial cells and COX-2 in the stromal cells. The above results suggest that since COX-2 is expressed at the same time as implantation and cultured cells display a specific secretory pattern, COX-2 has inductive endocrine enzyme properties and has an important effect on endometrial cells during implantation. Also, COX-2 expression in endometrial cells may be utilized as a useful marker of endometrial maturation.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2000

Objective: To investigate the distribution of BCL-2, BAX proteins and DNA fragmented cells in the normal human endometrium during at each menstrual cycle in order to find out whether apoptosis regulates cyclic endometrial change. Methods: Normal endometrial tissues were obtained from 40 patients, $32{\sim}45$ year of age, all with regular menstrual cycle, who were undergoing abdominal hysterectomy for myoma of uterus or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia for the period from 1992 through 1997. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine the expression of BCL-2 and BAX protein with paraffin-embedded tissues. Results: BCL-2 was expressed on the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells during the proliferative phase. The intensity of BCL-2 was increased predominantly on the basal layer than the functional layer in late proliferative phase. However, BCL-2 immunoreactivity was decreased in the secretory phase. BAX was expressed predominantly during the secretory phase. The intesity was increased in late secretory phase rather than early secretory phase. DNA fragmented cells were detected in a few cells at each phase. However, it was increased during the late secretory phase. Conclusion: Apoptosis-related genes, BCL-2 and BAX, may play a role in the regulation of cyclic endometrial change.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 1995

Though the endometriosis is not always related with infertility, endometriosis causes infertility in some patients. There are many treatment modalities of infertile patients who have endometriosis. In recent years, Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART) have been widely accepted as being a useful tool for the treatment of infertile endometriotic patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of ART in infertile endometriotic patients who have been carried out IVF-ET from Jan, 1992 to Dec, 1994 and to compare the results between COH/IUI and IVF-ET in the patients with endometriosis stage I. Tubal disease only patients were grouped(308 patient, 956 cycles) as a control. Endometriosis group was subdivided into 4 groups according to American Fertility Society classification; endometriosis stage I (45 patients, 61 cycles), stage II (26 patients, 39 cycles), stage III (26 pateitns, 37 cycles), stage IV (33 patients, 50 cycles). The outcomes of IVF-ET in endometriosis patients were as follows; The oocyte recovery rates were significantly lower in stage III, IV endometriosis. In case of stage III endometriosis, the fertilization rate was significantly lower than other stages of endometriosis. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were not different between the tubal group(22%) and the endometriosis group(25%). According to endometriosis stage, the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly lower in stage IV (5.6%, 16%) compared with other stages (I; 10.0%, 26%, II;9.8%, 31%, III;12.6%, 32%). It suggests that some factor like autoantibodies may inhibit implantation of embryos in stage IV endometriosis. To evaluate the possibility that simply increasing the number of gametes at the site of fertilization might account for pregnancies attributed to IVF-ET, the authors retrospectively analyzed the outcome of couples undergoing IUI during hMG cycles and CC cycles between 1992 and 1994 in the women with endometriosis stage 1. In case of stage I endometriosis, though the COH/IUI group showed lower FSH level and lesser age profile than IVF-ET group, IUI group has resulted in lower pregnancy rates(19.2%) compared with the IVF-ET group(26.2%). In conclusion, endometriotic infertile patients can get comparable pregnancy rates with the tubal factor infertility patients during IVF-ET program. Moreover even in stage I endometriosis, IVF-ET may be an more effective treatment modality than COH/IUI.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2010

The placenta, which is a temporary organ derived from the fetus during pregnancy, is critical to support fetus development via optimal regulation between mother and fetus. Trophoblast as a major cell population of the placenta is one of the earliest to differentiate and shows an extensive proliferation or/and differentiation up to the formation of the placenta. The role of the trophoblast show dynamic changes from early embryo implantation to placentation during pregnancy. Implantation of the blastocyst into the endometrium of the maternal uterus is mediated by invasion of the differentiated trophoblast (e.g. syncytiotrophoblast) from the trophectoderm. During pregnancy, the unique role of the trophoblast is to invasion, eroding, and metastasizing in the placenta as well as to ensure appropriate bidirectional nutrient or waste flow required for growth and maturation of the embryo. The dysfunction of the trophoblast during pregnancy can result in several gynecological diseases including preeclampsia and congenital malformation in neonatal medicine. Therefore, trophoblasts act as a conclusive factor in placental and fetal development. This brief review outlines the classification of trophoblast and its function in the placenta during pregnancy. Also, we introduce the latest research in trophoblast for implantation and the placenta development, and the application potential of trophoblast for infertility and obstetrical diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.155-158
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• 2011

Uncoupling protein (UCP) 3 has a number of proposed roles in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism. A number of polymorphisms in the human UCP3 gene have been identified, and the correlation with obesity related phenotypes evaluated. The objective of this study was to identify SNP in porcine UCP3 gene and to investigate the effect of the SNP on economic traits. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms at position 1405 bp (Genebank accession No : AY739704) in porcine UCP3 gene. The SNP (G150R), located in the exon 3, changed the amino acid to glycine (GGG) from arginine (AGG). This G150R showed three genotypes - GG, GR and RR - by digestion with the restriction enzyme Sma Ⅰ using the PCR-RFLP method. The G150R showed significant effects only on back fat (P<0.05). Animals with the genotype GG had significantly higher back fat thickness (1.358 cm) than animals with the genotype GR (1.288 cm, P<0.05) and RR (1.286 cm, P<0.05). However, the genotypes had no significant association with ADG and days to 90kg. According to results of this study, a G allele of the G150R was found to have a significant effect on back fat thickness. It will be possible to use SNP markers on selected pigs to improve backfat thickness, an important economic trait.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 1999

The ultrastructure of small arterioles and capillaries in the lumbrical muscles of rat digits were studied by electron microscopy and following results were obtained. 1. The diameter of small arterioles of rat digits were $12\sim20{\mu}m$, and it was relatively smaller than human $(30\sim35{\mu}m)$. 2. All the endothelial cells of small arterioles and capillaries in the lumbrical muscles of rat digits were continuous type, and they had typical morphological characteristics of continuous endothelial cells : numerous cytoplasmic pinocytic vesicles and many tight junctions between the endothelial cells. 3. In the small arterioles subendothelial layers were irregularly spaced beneath the basal lamina, and membrane to membrane contacts were found between the endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. 4. Pericytes were often found nearby capillary endothelium, and their cytoplasmic processes surrounded part of endothelial cells. They were enclosed by basal lamina. 5. Smooth muscle cells in tunica media of small arterioles were only one layered, that is, they were terminal arterioles. Sarcoplasm of smooth muscle cell was divided to 2 areas; homogeneous or filamentous area and non-homogeneous perinuclear area. 6. The tunica adventitia contained fibroblasts with extremely attenuated cytoplasmic processes and collagen fibirls.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.298-303
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• 2006

Background: This study was performed to investigate the outcomes of vascular operations that were done in patients with atheroscerosis obliterans (ASO) of lower limb. Material and Method: Forty patients underwent vascular operations from December 1996 to June 2004. The patient's records were analyzed retrospectively. Mean age was $66{\pm}8$ years (range, $47{\sim}81$ years). Gender ratio was 37:3 (male:female). Result: The operations were done on 50 lower limbs of 40 patients. The names of operations were femoropopliteal bypass in 12 patients (30%), femorofemoral bypass in 12 (30%), femorofemoral bypass and femoropopliteal bypass in five (12.5%), aorta-lower limb artery bypass in five (12.5%), axillofemoral bypass in two (5%), iliopopliteal bypass in two (5%), and endarterectomy in two (5%). All bypass surgeries were done with prosthetic conduits. Mean follow up period was $33.2{\pm}23.2$ months (range, $3.8{\sim}90.2$ months). The cumulative patency rates of 1 and 5 years were 75.5 and 58.7% respectively. In six patients, amputation of the lower limb was done. In eight patients, 12 complications occurred. After the first operation, 10 patients underwent reoperations. Conclusion: Our lower limb arterial bypass surgery revealed acceptable patency rate, but not a few patients required reoperations. An epochal treatment modality that can inhibit the progress of ASO and improve long term patency should be established.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 1991

In order to investigate the cellular peroxidative damage due to heated oil intake and the preventive effect of vitamin E on it rats were fed heated corn oil with acid value of 4.02 at the level of 10 Cal% and three different levels of vitamin E that were 0, 40 and 200 mg/kg diet. Control group was fed fresh corn oil and 40mg/kg diet of vitamin E. After ech feeding period of 0, 3 and 6 weeks, liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and microsomal content of vitamin E and lipid peroxide (LPO) were measured as well as cellular morphology was examined. SOD activities and LPO contents were higher, while GPX activities and vitamin e contents were lower in heated oil groups than control group. Electromicroscopic observation revealed the loss of inner mitochondrial membrane and cristae and irregular arrangement of nuclear membrane and chromatin in heated oil groups. As dietary vitamin e level was increased, SOD activity and LPO content were decreased, but GPX activity and vitamin E content in the liver increased and cellular peroxidative damage reduced progressively. This phenomena was more remarkable in 6 weeks of feeding than 3 weeks.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.104-127
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Dangguijakyaksan on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8). (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8). (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Dangguijakyaksan treated group. Dangguijakyaksan was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight. the volume of endometriotic implants. the weight of uterus and ovary. and analysed the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF. and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were also performed. Results: - The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - The concentration(pg/ml) of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-l$\alpha$ in peritoneal fluids in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia. infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Dangguijakyaksan treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. - The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Dangguijakyaksan treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The number of mast cells in transplanted uterine tissue in Dangguijakyaksan treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. Conclusion: On the basis of these results. we concluded that Dangguijakyaksan has inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$, and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF, and inhibition of mast cell infiltration by administration of Dangguijakyaksan.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-119
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Hominis Placenta pharmacopuncture (HPP) therapy on the experimentally-induced endometriosis in the rats. Materials and Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group (n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and HPP treated group. Sham-operated group and control group were inject with normal saline once a every other day for 30days, while treated group was injected with HPP extract once a every other day for same duration. Injected point of HPP and normal saline were subcutaneous tissue at Gwanwon (CV4) acupoint. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weigh of uterus and ovaries, and investigated the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-${\alpha}$) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemisty for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: The volume ($mm^2$) of endometriotic implants in HPP treated group ($55.4{\pm}41.6$) was significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($140{\pm}66.1$). And the concentration (pg/ml) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in HPP treated group ($1117.6{\pm}60.5$) was significantly decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($1446.2{\pm}280.3$). The concentration (pg/ml) of TNF-${\alpha}$ in peritoneal fluids in HPP treated group ($80.6{\pm}31.4$) was decreased (p<0.01) compared with control group ($145.3{\pm}86.9$). Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cell and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. The COX-2 expression in endometrial, epithelial and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group was decreased compared with control group. The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cell in transplanted uterine tissue of HPP treated group were weakly observed than those of control goup. Conclusions: HPP is effect on Endometriosis of rats by Experimentally-induced.