Oi-Shan Tang

Effects of chinese green tea on weight, and hormonal and biochemical profiles in obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome : A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Objectives: To study the effects of green tea on body weight, and biochemical and hormonal profiles in obese Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Thirty-four obese Chinese women with PCOS were randomized into either treatment with green tea capsules or placebo for 3 months. The anthropomentric measurements, and biochemical and hormonal profiles before and after treatment in each group were compared. Results: The body weight of the green tea group decreased by a nonsignificant 2.4% after treatment; whereas the body weight, body mass index (BMI), and body fat content of the control group were significantly higher after 3 months. There were no differences in any of the hormone levels measured in either group. The biochemical profiles of the two groups were also similar except that there was a small but significant rise in the triglyceride level in the green tea group. Fewer patients in the green tea group remained amenorrhoeic, but this was not significantly different from the control group. Conclusions: Green tea supplementation did not significantly reduce body weight in obese women with PCOS, nor did it alter the glucose or lipid metabolism.

Comparison of three‐dimensional hysterosalpingo‐contrast‐sonography and diagnostic laparoscopy with chromopertubation in the assessment of tubal patency for the investigation of subfertility

Background.  Two‐dimensional hysterosalpingo‐contrast‐sonography, as a screening test for tubal patency for subfertile patients, is limited by the difficulty in visualizing the entire Fallopian tube owing to its tortuosity. This major disadvantage can be overcome by means of the three‐dimensional hysterosalpingo‐contrast‐sonography (3D‐HyCoSy). The current study compared the efficacy of 3D‐HyCoSy with diagnostic laparoscopy and its feasibility as a screening test for tubal patency.

A randomized trial to compare two dosing intervals of misoprostol following mifepristone administration in second trimester medical abortion

BACKGROUND The conventional timing of misoprostol administration after mifepristone for second trimester medical abortion is 36-48 h, but simultaneous administration, which may make the regimen more convenient, has not been studied. The objective of this randomized comparison study is to compare two intervals of administration of misoprostol after pretreatment with mifepristone for second trimester medical abortion. METHODS Eligible women with gestational age between 12 and 20 weeks were randomized to receive mifepristone 200 mg orally followed by 600 microg misoprostol vaginally either immediately or 36-38 h later, followed by 400 microg vaginal misoprostol every 3 h for a maximum of four doses. The primary outcome measure was the success rate at 24 h after the start of misoprostol treatment and the secondary outcome measures were the induction-to-abortion interval and the frequency of side effects. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the success rate at 24 h (36-38 h: 100%; immediate: 91.5%). The median induction-to-abortion interval was significantly shorter in the 36-38 h regimen (4.9 h) compared with the immediate regimen (10 h). Side effects in terms of febrile episodes and chills/rigors were significantly higher in the immediate administration group. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous use of mifepristone and misoprostol for second trimester medical abortion is not as effective as the regimen using a 36-38 h dosing interval.

The prevalence of polycystic ovaries in Chinese women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

In the present study we aimed to define the prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO), using the revised ultrasound criterion, in Chinese women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), as well as their associated clinical, hormonal and biochemical characteristics. Seventy Chinese women with previous GDM were recruited as the study group. The control group comprised women matched for age, parity and delivery year who had a normal oral glucose tolerance test during their index pregnancy. Two- and three-dimensional ultrasound scans were performed to study ovarian morphology and ovarian stromal blood flow. Anthropometric, hormonal and biochemical profiles were compared between women with and without ultrasound features of PCO. The prevalence of PCO in Chinese women was 23%. The group with a history of GDM had a higher but not statistically significant prevalence of PCO (34%). Compared with controls, they had significantly higher incidence of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, fasting insulin and leptin levels, and their lipid profile was less favorable. Also, their level of sex hormone-binding globulin was significantly lower and hence their free androgen index was higher, and so was their level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. There was a trend for the study group to have higher ovarian stromal blood flow.

Effect of letrozole on uterine artery Doppler flow indices prior to first‐trimester termination of pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

We previously demonstrated that a sequential regimen of letrozole and misoprostol resulted in a marked reduction in the serum estradiol concentration and in a higher efficacy of first‐trimester termination of pregnancy than misoprostol alone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of letrozole on uterine artery Doppler flow indices during early pregnancy.

Circadian Changes in Uterine Artery and Ovarian Stromal Blood Flow After Pituitary Down-regulation

Objective: To investigate changes in the uterine artery and ovarian stromal blood flow in relation to the time of the day after pituitary down-regulation during in vitro fertilization treatment. Methods: Thirteen women were recruited. The uterine artery blood flow was studied using pulsed color Doppler ultrasonography and the ovarian stromal blood flow was measured using three-dimensional power Doppler ultrasonography. Ultrasound scan examinations and blood pressure measurements were performed in the morning and evening. Results: The diastolic and the mean arterial pressures were significantly higher in the evening. An increase in the uterine artery pulsatility index and resistance index in the evening was observed. The ovarian vascularization index, vascularization flow index, and right ovarian flow index were significantly lower in the evening. Conclusions: Despite the small sample size, we have demonstrated the presence of a diurnal change in uterine artery and ovarian stromal blood flow after pituitary down-regulation. Such changes may be related to the systemic change in the sympathetic system and hence vascular resistance. Future study regarding ovarian stromal blood flow should take into account the effect of the time of the day on the readings in order to avoid misleading interpretation of data.