Mehmet Harma

Oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome and its contribution to the risk of cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES To determine oxidant and antioxidant status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its contribution to the risk of cardiovascular disease. DESIGN AND METHODS 27 women with PCOS were compared with regard to oxidant and antioxidant status with 18 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy. Oxidant status was evaluated by determination of erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, while antioxidant status was evaluated by determination of erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Area under curve (AUC) for glucose, AUC for insulin and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated from two-hour OGTT. RESULTS Women with PCOS were found to have higher AUC for glucose (p = 0.01), AUC for insulin (p < 0.001), MDA level (p = 0.009) and SOD activity (p = 0.04), and lower ISI (p < 0.001) and GSH level (p = 0.03) than the controls. In correlation analysis, a significant relationship was found between MDA levels and age (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.001), waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.01), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (both p < 0.05), AUCs for glucose and insulin (both p < 0.05), ISI (r = -0.42, p < 0.05) and triglyceride (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS An increase in oxidant status was found in women with PCOS, and this increase was related to central obesity, age, blood pressure, serum glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels and insulin resistance. In contrast, antioxidant status was observed to be insufficient. These findings suggest that increased oxidative stress may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS.

Sibutramine has a positive effect on clinical and metabolic parameters in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of sibutramine therapy alone and in combination with ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE-CPA) on the clinical and metabolic parameters of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN Prospective randomized, controlled study. SETTING Endocrinology and gynecology clinics. PATIENT(S) Forty obese women with PCOS. INTERVENTION(S) Group 1 was treated with oral EE-CPA (35 microg-2 mg/day), group 2 with oral sibutramine (10 mg/day), and group 3 with a combination of EE-CPA plus sibutramine for 6 months. All groups were advised to consume a diet of 1200 kcal/day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT(S) Measurements were performed before and 6 months after treatment of body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score, total testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin during oral glucose tolerance test, and insulin sensitivity index; area under the curve for glucose and insulin were obtained from OGTT. RESULT(S) Body mass index, Ferriman-Gallwey hirsutism score, serum total testosterone, free testosterone, and DHEAS levels were significantly decreased and SHBG was significantly increased in all groups at the end of the study. WHR, diastolic blood pressure, and serum triglyceride level were significantly reduced only in the sibutramine group. CONCLUSION(S) Sibutramine might have a positive effect on hyperandrogenemia, and clinical and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease in obese women with PCOS.

Intrauterine growth restriction and placental angiogenesis

BackgroundVascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are factors that take part in placental angiogenesis. They are highly expressed during embryonic and fetal development, especially in the first trimester. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of placental angiogenesis in the development of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) by comparing the levels of expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS in normal-term pregnancy and IUGR placentas.MethodsThe expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS was studied using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method in placental tissues diagnosed as normal (n = 55) and IUGR (n = 55). Results were evaluated in a semi-quantitative manner.ResultsThe expression of all the markers was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, vascular smooth muscle cells, chorionic villous stromal cells, and villous vascular endothelial cells of the IUGR placentas when compared with those collected from normal-term pregnancies.ConclusionIncreased expression of VEGF-A, b-FGF, and eNOS may be the result of inadequate uteroplacental perfusion, supporting the proposal that abnormal angiogenesis plays a role in the pathophysiology of IUGR.

Balloon occlusion of the descending aorta in the treatment of severe post‐partum haemorrhage

The current case report presents a patient with life-threatening post-partum haemorrhage who was treated successfully with arterial balloon occlusion of the descending aorta, using an intra-aortic balloon pump without counterpulsation. This appears to be the first report of the use of this procedure in the treatment of post-partum haemorrhage. The literature is reviewed and the usefulness of the procedure discussed.

Comparison of protein carbonyl and total plasma thiol concentrations in patients with complete hydatidiform mole with those in healthy pregnant women

Background.  Normal pregnant women are known to have increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation (which can be estimated by protein carbonyl concentration) but offsetting antioxidant protection (of which plasma thiols are an important component).

Expression of heat shock protein 70 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase in placental tissue of preeclamptic and intrauterine growth-restricted pregnancies

Ischemia, hypoxia, and elevated vascular resistance disturb placental functions by increasing oxidative stress. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is an oxidative stress marker. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a nitric oxide enzyme with a key role in pathologic and physiologic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis. This study was performed to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) pregnancies by comparing the levels of HSP70 and eNOS in placentas from women with these diseases and those with healthy pregnancies. HSP70 and eNOS were examined using the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 135 placental villous tissues obtained from normal pregnancies (n=45) and pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia (n=45) and IUGR (n=45). The intensity of labeling in placental tissues with antibodies to HSP70 and eNOS was scored between 0 and 3, using a semiquantitative scale. HSP70 and eNOS levels were increased in the syncytiotrophoblasts, cytotrophoblasts, and extravillous trophoblast cells of preeclamptic and IUGR placentas (P<0.001), compared with normal pregnancies. However, their levels were increased only in the villous endothelial cells of IUGR placentas (P<0.001). Oxidative stress is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and IUGR pregnancies.

Comparison of the histopathological diagnoses of preoperative dilatation and curettage and hysterectomy specimens

Aim:  A biopsy is often taken as part of the preoperative workup, regardless of the indication for hysterectomy. Some authors believe that dilatation and curettage is a poor diagnostic procedure for intrauterine pathologies, but dilatation and curettage has been the method of choice for obtaining an endometrial sample. The aim of this study was to investigate the concordance between endometrial histopathological diagnoses from preoperative dilatation and curettage and hysterectomy specimens. The differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women were also investigated.

HPV Types in Turkey: Multicenter Hospital Based Evaluation of 6388 Patients in Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group Centers Türkiye'deki HPV Tipleri: Türk Jinekolojik Onkoloji Grubuna Üye Merkezlere Başvuran 6388 Hastanin Retrospektif Analizi

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of HPV DNA and cervical cytological abnormalities, to compare cervical cytology results and HPV DNA and to define HPV types distribution in a large series of Turkish women who have undergone HPV analysis in hospitals that are members of the Turkish Gynecological Oncology Group. Material and Method: Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 6388 patients’ data was retrospectively evaluated at 12 healthcare centers in Turkey. Demographic characteristics, cervical cytology results, HPV status and types were compared. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.9±10.2. Overall, 25% of the women were found to be HPV positive. Presence of HPV-DNA among patients with abnormal and normal cytology was 52% and 27%, respectively. There was significant difference with respect to decades of life and HPV positivity (p < 0.05). HPV was positive in (within the HPV (+) patients) 37%, 9%, 27%, 20%, 22%, and 41% of the ASCUS, ASC-H, LSIL HSIL, glandular cell abnormalities, and SCC cases respectively The most common HPV types in our study were as follows; HPV 16 (32%), HPV 6 (17%), HPV 11 (9%), HPV 18 (8%), HPV 31 (6%), HPV 51 (5%), HPV 33 (3%). Conclusion: In this hospital based retrospective analysis, HPV genotypes in Turkish women with normal and abnormal cytology are similar to those reported from western countries. Further population based prospective multicenter studies are necessary to determine non-hospital based HPV prevalence in Turkish women Öz Amaç: Türkiyedeki HPV tiplerinin geniş bir seri ile ortaya konması amacı ile Türk Jinekolojik Onkoloji grubuna üye hastanelerde HPV analizi yapılan hastaların sonuçlarının retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmesi ve sitolojik anormalliklerdeki HPV tiplerinin belirlenmesi. Gereç ve Yöntem: 2006 ve 2010 yılları arasında 12 ayrı merkeze başvuran smear ve HPV analizi yapılan toplam 6388 hasta retrospektif olarak incelenmiştir. Hastaların demografik bilgileri, smear sonuçları, HPV tipleri online olarak toplanıp analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular:Ortalama hasta yaşı 38.9±10.2 idi. Tüm grup değerlendirildiğinde, %25 hastada HPV pozitif olarak saptandı. Anormal sitolojisi olanlarda HPV pozitifliği %57 iken normal pap testi olanlarda HPV pozitifliği %27 oranında tespit edildi. Hastaların yaşam dekadları ile HPV pozitifliği arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulundu (p<0,05) HPV pozitifliği ASCUS, ASC-H, LSIL, HSIL, glandüler anormallikler ve skuamöz hücreli karsinom için sırasıyla %37, %9, %27, %20, %22, %41 idi. En sık görülen HPV tipleri sırasıyla HPV 16 (%32), HPV 6 (%17), HPV 11 (%9), HPV 18 (%8), HPV 31 (%6), HPV 51 (%5), HPV 33 (%3) idi. Sonuç:Bu hastane temelli retrospektif analizde HPV tipleri gelişmiş batı ülkelerinde rapor edilen tiplerle benzer olarak tespit edildi. Ülkemizdeki gerçek popülasyon temelli HPV prevalansı ve tiplerinin belirlenmesi için hastane temelli olmayan çok merkezli geniş sayıda hasta içeren serilere ihtiyaç vardır

Placental Chorangiosis: The Association with Oxidative Stress and Angiogenesis

Background/Aims: Chorangiosis is considered to be strongly associated with fetal, maternal, and placental disorders, and has been found to be correlated with increased fetal morbidity and mortality. In this study, it is aimed to investigate the association of angiogenesis and oxidative stress with the pathogenesis of chorangiosis. Methods: Expressions of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), which are investigated with avidin-biotin-peroxidase method in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from placental tissues diagnosed as no chorangiosis (n = 18) and chorangiosis (n = 18), have been evaluated in a semiquantitative manner. Results: There were significant differences between chorangiosis and no chorangiosis cases with respect to birth weight, birth length, and Apgar scores (p < 0.001). Statistically significant (p < 0.001), diffuse and strong expressions with HSP70, VEGF-A and b-FGF were observed in the villous tissue of placental chorangiosis cases when compared with no chorangiosis cases. Conclusion: The majority of the chorangiosis cases had an accompanying poor perinatal outcome, and also those with accompanying angiogenesis and increased oxidative stress demonstrated diffuse and strong expressions of HSP70, VEGF-A and b-FGF. The interaction of maternal, placental, and fetal factors with increased oxidative stress and angiogenesis may possibly contribute to this arising pathologic change.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (uterus didelphys, blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis) - a case report.

Uterovaginal duplication with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis is referred to as the Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome. A 17 year old woman presented with right pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea, present since menarche at 13 and worsening over the past year. Ultrasound examination revealed a right pelvic mass (5×5 cm), double endometrial echoes, and hematocolpos. A right pelvic mass, agenesis of the right kidney, double uterus, and blind hemivagina with hematocolpos were detected by magnetic resonance imaging and intravenous pyelography. A right tubo-ovarian abscess with dense adhesions and a double uterus were observed on diagnostic laparoscopy. Adhesiolysis was carried out and purulent material irrigated. After a course of antibiotics, a vaginal septum resection was performed and the pyocolpos drained. She remained symptom free after four months of follow-up. Prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome can significantly improve the lives of sufferers and prevent future complications.