Pietro Galantino

Direct transport of progesterone from vagina to uterus.

Objective To compare progesterone concentrations in serum and endometrial tissue from hysterectomy specimens after vaginal or intramuscular (IM) administration of progesterone gel. Methods This was a randomized open study of 14 post-menopausal women undergoing transabdominal hysterectomies. Participants received either vaginal progesterone gel, 90 mg, or IM progesterone, 50 mg, at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM on the day before surgery and at 6:00 AM on the day of surgery. Venous blood samples for progesterone measurement were collected at 8:00 AM on the day before surgery (baseline) and during surgery. After removal of the uterus, the endometrium was sampled from the anterior and posterior walls. Results were expressed as ratios of endometrial to serum progesterone concentrations × 100. Results Ratios of endometrial to serum progesterone concentrations were markedly higher in women who received vaginal progesterone (14.1 median, 8.5–59.4 range; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.89, 38.79) compared with IM injections (1.2 median, 0.5–13.1 range; 95% CI −0.48, 7.39) (P < .005). Conclusion Ratios of endometrial to serum progesterone concentrations were higher after vaginal administration of progesterone than after IM injections. Our findings in endometrial tissue specimens from hysterectomies excluded the possibility of contamination by progesterone that remained in the vagina.

Reliability, feasibility, and safety of minihysteroscopy with a vaginoscopic approach: experience with 6,000 cases

OBJECTIVE To assess the reliability, feasibility, and safety of lens-based minihysteroscopy. DESIGN Retrospective comparative study. SETTING Academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Women with different indications for hysteroscopy. INTERVENTION(S) Six thousand seventeen outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopies with a minihysteroscope (2.7-mm outer diameter [OD] telescope with 3.5-mm OD single-flow diagnostic sheath) and 4,204 with traditional hysteroscope (4-mm OD telescope with 5-mm OD single-flow diagnostic sheath). All hysteroscopies were performed using a vaginoscopic approach and saline to distend the uterus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Rate of successful introduction of the hysteroscope, rate of satisfactory examinations, pain intensity experienced using an arbitrary pain scale (0 = no pain; 1 = low pain; 2 = moderate pain; 3 = severe pain), and number of side effects and complications. RESULT(S) In the minihysteroscopy, group rates of successful introduction and satisfactory examinations were significantly higher than in the traditional hysteroscope group (99.52% vs.72.53% and 98.53% vs. 92.33%, respectively), while pain and vagal reactions were significantly lower (0.10 +/- 0.34 vs.1.09 +/- 0.53 and 2.25% vs.17.12%, respectively). CONCLUSION(S) Hysteroscopy with lens-based minihysteroscopes was easier, less painful, more reliable, and safer than with 5-mm hysteroscopes. Minihysteroscopy with a vaginoscopic approach is a very well tolerated, effective, and safe outpatient procedure.

Tolerability of the mini-pan-endoscopic approach (transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy and minihysteroscopy) versus hysterosalpingography in an outpatient infertility investigation

OBJECTIVE To compare the acceptance and tolerability of the mini-pan-endoscopic approach (transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy [THL] combined with minihysteroscopy) versus hysterosalpingography (HSG) for evaluating tubal patency and the uterine cavity in an outpatient infertility investigation. DESIGN Randomized controlled study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) Twenty-three infertile patients without obvious pelvic pathology. INTERVENTION(S) Women were randomly divided into two groups. One group underwent minihysteroscopy and THL with tube chromoperturbation as first investigation and HSG within the following 7 days, while in the other group the investigation sequence was inverted. Women reported pain experienced before and at the end of procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Mean duration of procedures, level of pain experienced, diagnostic agreement about tubal patency and uterine cavity normality. RESULT(S) THL and minihysteroscopy took significantly more time but was significantly less painful than HSG. Regarding tubal patency, in 95.5% of cases THL agreed with HSG. In one case, HSG diagnosed a bilateral obstruction of tubes, whereas at THL a bilateral spreading of methylene blue was seen. Agreement on intrauterine pathologies between minihysteroscopy and HSG was poor (43%); the number of intrauterine abnormalities found at hysteroscopy was significantly greater than at HSG. CONCLUSION(S) THL in association with minihysteroscopy provided more information and was better tolerated than HSG in an outpatient infertility investigation.

Resectoscopic treatment of uterus didelphys with unilateral imperforate vagina complicated by hematocolpos and hematometra: case report

OBJECTIVE To describe a technique for treating hematocolpos and hematometra in patients with uterus didelphys and unilateral imperforate vagina involving the use of resectoscopy under ultrasonographic control. DESIGN Case report. SETTING University hospital. PATIENT(S) A 13-year-old girl with uterus didelphys with unilateral hematometra, hematocolpos, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The girl complained of severe abdominal pain, which appeared with each of her menses. INTERVENTION(S) The intervention was performed by a vaginoscopic approach to preserve the integrity of the hymen. The first incision on the vaginal wall was performed in correspondence with the hematocolpos under continuous ultrasonographic guidance with the use of a straight resectoscopic loop. Resection of the vaginal septum was continued with the use of an angled resectoscopic loop until almost complete excision of the septum was achieved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Clinical, echographic, and vaginoscopic findings before the operation and 2 and 6 months after the operation. RESULT(S) The surgical procedure was easy to perform. Almost complete excision of the septum was achieved with just a few passages of the resectoscope. Complete drainage of both the hematocolpos and the hematometra was confirmed by ultrasonography. The postoperative period was completely uneventful. Clinical and vaginoscopic evaluations 6 months after the operation confirmed the integrity of the hymen, the complete resolution of clinical symptoms, and the persistence of a large communication between the two vaginas. CONCLUSION(S) Resectoscopic excision under ultrasonographic guidance of the vaginal septum in a girl with uterus didelphys with unilateral hematometra and hematocolpos was effective and easy to perform, and it fully respected the integrity of the reproductive system.

Effects of short-term transdermal estradiol administration on plasma levels of nitric oxide in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of short-term transdermal E2 administration on nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels in postmenopausal women. DESIGN Randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Twenty-eight healthy postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION(S) Transdermal administration of E2 (100 microg/d) or placebo on days 1 and 4 of a 1-week treatment regimen. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Serum concentrations of E2 and plasma concentrations of NO stable oxidation products were assessed on day 1, before placement of the patch, and subsequently on days 2, 3, and 6. RESULT(S) The mean concentration of NO metabolites on days 2, 3, and 6 was significantly greater in the E2 group (40.08+/-15.42 micromol/L, 38.05+/-18.82 micromol/L, and 42.03+/-16.81 micromol/L on days 2, 3, and 6, respectively) compared with both baseline levels (23.07+/-5.79 micromol/L) and the placebo group (23.51+/-4.06 micromol/L, 21.64+/-4.72 micromol/L, and 21.81+/-4.46 micromol/L on days 2, 3, and 6, respectively). CONCLUSION(S) During a 1-week treatment regimen with transdermal E2, plasma levels of NO in postmenopausal women were significantly higher than baseline levels on days 2, 3, and 6. This suggests that the effect of estrogens on NO synthesis is rapid and that it is maintained with repeated administration.

Effects of tibolone on plasma levels of nitric oxide in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of tibolone on nitric oxide (NO) plasma levels in postmenopausal women. DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. SETTING Healthy volunteers in an academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Eighteen healthy women who have been in postmenopause for 1-4 years. INTERVENTION(S) Women received either tibolone 2.5 mg/day (group A) or placebo (group B) for 1 month; then the treatment was inverted for the second month. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Plasma concentration of NO stable oxidation products and blood pressure were evaluated at baseline, month 1, and month 2. RESULT(S) Baseline concentration of NO metabolites were similar in both groups. At month 1, mean concentration of NO metabolites increased significantly in group A alone. At the end of month 2, NO metabolite levels in group A returned to baseline, whereas in group B they increased significantly. CONCLUSION(S) Tibolone induced a sustained increase in plasma levels of NO in postmenopausal women, suggesting that tibolone may exert a direct cardiovascular protective effect in postmenopausal women.

The vascular cast of the human uterus: from anatomy to physiology.

Abstract: The blood supply to the uterus originates mainly from the uterine artery. However, the uterine and ovarian arteries form anastomoses bilaterally. Controversy exists about the direction of the flow in the anastomoses and thus the origin of the arterial supply to the tube and tubal part of the uterus. A similar arcade is formed by the vaginal and uterine arteries. We have investigated the vascular border of supply between the uterine and ovarian arteries in postmenopausal women, which was positioned in the uterus 1‐2 cm from the tube. A similar result was found in younger, ovulating women. However, the border between the territories irrigated by the uterine and ovarian arteries differs between the follicular and luteal phase; more uterine tissue is perfused from the ovarian artery when a large follicle is present. This constitutes the first description of a functionally determined shift in the territorial divide of two vascular systems and has numerous practical implications. The venous system copies the arterial one with one major exception: some of the uterine veins join the ovarian outlet. The close contact between veins and arteries facilitates transfer of substances, thus forming semilocal systems of regulation; for example, the ovary locally influences the function of the ipsilateral tube and part of the uterus. From a therapeutic point of view, it has been documented that application of progesterone to the vagina creates high uterine concentrations due to local vascular transfer.

Bone metabolism changes after transdermal estradiol dose reduction during estrogen replacement therapy : a 1-year prospective study

Twenty-four surgically menopausal women were randomly allocated to one of two transdermally-administered estrogen replacement therapies (ERT): Group A was administered Estradiol (E2) TTS 0.05 mg/day for 6 months and 0.025 mg/day for the following six months and group B, E2 TTS 0.10 mg/day for the first 6 months and 0.05 mg/day for the following 6 months. For both groups, the treatment regimen was based upon the twice-weekly application of transdermal patches to the lower abdomen for three weeks a month. Serum E2, alkaline phosphatase (AP), osteocalcin (BGP) and urinary hydroxyproline (OHP) excretion levels were measured before the operation, at the beginning of ERT and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Bone mineral density (BMD) in the distal regions of the forearms was measured by single photon absorptiometry at the start of the study and after 6 and 12 months. In Group A, both mean cortical and trabecular BMD had increased by, respectively, 1.53% and 2.17% after 6 months of therapy; after the second 6 months a significant decrease was observed in both parameters (2.40% and 3.62%, respectively). In Group B, mean cortical and trabecular BMD increased by 1.50% and 2.10%, respectively (significant increase in trabecular bone) after the first 6 months of treatment; after the following 6 months, these values persisted (+0.15 and -0.03%, respectively). Mean AP, OHP and BGP serum levels rose after the operation. In Group A, AP and OHP showed a significant decrease after the first 6 months (-34.90% and -30.90%), followed by an increase at the last evaluation of 22.50% and 35.50%, that reached statistical significance only for OHP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of continuous percutaneous estradiol administration on skeletal turnover in postmenopausal women: a 1-year prospective controlled study

The aim of this study was to investigate the short and long term effects of continuous percutaneous administration of estradiol (E2) cream on skeletal turnover in women in surgical postmenopause. Forty women were randomly divided into two groups, one treated with a single daily application of 3 mg/day E2 cream continuously for 12 months, the other receiving placebo cream. Forearm densitometry was performed before and at the end of treatment. Serum E2, osteocalcin (BGP), alkaline posphatase (AP) and urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) were also measured at baseline, month 4 and 12 of the protocol. At month 4, bone turnover was also assessed by evaluating 99mtechnetium-methylene diphosphonate (99mTc-MDP) skeletal uptake. Changes in E2, BGP, AP and NTX as well as 99mTc-MDP skeletal uptake in hormone group vs. placebo were significant after 4 months of treatment. At month 12, proximal site densitometry showed no variation in either group whereas the percentage of variation in distal site measurements resulted significantly different with an increase in the hormone group and a reduction in the placebo group. In conclusion continuous percutaneous administration of E2 cream was effective in rapidly reducing bone turnover in postmenopausal women and in counteracting the accelerated postmenopausal bone loss.