No abstract

Successful implantation and pregnancy is dependent on sufficient endometrial growth during each reproductive cycle. Here we report the therapeutic effect of either bone marrow-derived cells or the stem cell chemo-attractant CXCL12 on endometrial receptivity in a murine ethanol induced thin endometrium model. Endometrial epithelial area was significantly increased in mice treated with BMDCs, CXCL12 or by co-treatment with both compared with PBS treated controls. Ki-67 and CD31 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in mice treated with either BMDCs, CXCL12 or both. The mRNA expression levels of endometrial receptivity markers leukemia inhibitory factor, interleukin-1β, and integrin beta-3 were increased in mice treated with either BMDCs, CXCL12 or both. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 were significantly decreased by BMDCs but not by CXCL12. Pregnancy rates and litter size were increased after either treatment. Both BMDCs and CXCL12 displayed a comparable efficacy on endometrial regeneration in mice with thin endometrium. Our findings indicate the potential therapeutic effects of BMDCs and CXCL12 on infertility related to thin endometrium.

No abstract

Endometriosis is an oestrogen‐dependent, chronic inflammatory disease that affects 10% of reproductive‐aged women. Current treatment options depend on female sex steroid hormone modulation; however, all have side effects and are not useful in women who want to conceive. microRNAs treatments have provided promising results for some chronic diseases and cancers. We have previously shown the microRNA Let‐7b is repressed in endometriosis and that loss of Let‐7 contributes to the pathophysiology of the disease. Here, we propose using microRNA Let‐7b for the treatment of endometriosis in a murine model. Endometriosis was treated using microRNA Let‐7b or a scrambled control microRNA. Let‐7b treatment resulted in reduced endometriosis lesion size. Decreased gene expression was noted in several genes known to promote endometriosis growth including ER‐α, ER‐ß, Cyp19a, KRAS 4A, KRAS 4B and IL‐6. These results indicate that microRNA Let‐7b has a pleiotropic role in endometriosis pathophysiology affecting oestrogen signalling, inflammation and growth factor receptors. Local treatment of endometriosis with Let‐7b is a promising therapy for endometriosis that simultaneously affects multiple pathways driving endometriosis without systemic hormonal side effects.

Background Menopause, the absence of ovarian sex steroids, is frequently accompanied by emotional and physiological changes in a woman´s body, as well as oral health changes. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between the periodontal health status and emotional and physical well-being among postmenopausal women (PMW) in comparison with regularly menstruating premenopausal women (RMPW). Methods A total of 115 women (PMW, n = 56, mean age ± SD: 54 ± 5; RMPW, n = 59, mean age ± SD: 41 ± 4) received a comprehensive medical assessment and a full-mouth oral examination. All completed the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) to measure emotional and physical well-being. The corresponding bone mineral density (BMD) scores were obtained from participants´ medical records. Results Tooth loss was significantly higher in PMW than RMPW after adjusting for age (3.88 ± 2.41 vs 2.14 ± 2.43, p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of periodontitis between the two groups (PMW: 39.2%, RMPW: 32.2%, p > 0.05). The prevalence of periodontitis was associated with fewer daily brushing sessions in PMW (p = 0.021). Based on the WHQ, both PMW and RMPW with periodontitis had higher ‘’depressed mood’’ scores compared to periodontally healthy women (p = 0.06 and p = 0.038, respectively). The women who reported fewer daily toothbrushing sessions found to have higher depressive mood scores (p = 0.043). Conclusions Presence of periodontitis is associated with the emotional and physical well-being of women and reinforcement of oral healtcare is recommended at different stages of a woman’s life including menopause to reduce the risk for early tooth loss in women.