Evidence of lasting functional destruction of the rat endometrium after 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced photodynamic ablation: prevention of implantation

Article Abstract:

Photodynamic therapy of the uterus with 5-aminolevulinic acid appears to block implantation by destroying the endometrial lining. Photodynamic therapy is the nonsurgical treatment with drugs that react with ultraviolet light or sunlight. Female rats, which have a double uterus, were injected with 4, 8 or 16 milligrams (mg) of 5-aminolevulinic acid in one uterine horn and with an equal volume of saline solution in the other. About half the rats' uteri were then exposed to red light. Among rats exposed to light, one pregnancy occurred in the nine uterine horns treated with 4 mg of 5-aminolevulinic acid compared with nine pregnancies in nine uterine horns treated with saline. Without light exposure, treatment with 4 mg of 5-aminolevulinic acid had no effect on fertility. No pregnancies occurred in uterine horns that were treated with 8 or 16 mg of 5-aminolevulinic acid and exposed to light, but pregnancy occurred in all horns treated with saline. Implantation was significantly impaired even 60 days after photodynamic treatment, suggesting the effects may be permanent.

Photochemotherapy

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Transvaginal ultrasonography and the assessment of luteal phase endometrium

Article Abstract:

Transvaginal ultrasonography is not a replacement for endometrial biopsy in the determination of luteal phase defects. The endometrium is the membrane lining the uterus. Its thickness and other characteristics are affected by the secretion of hormones during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Abnormalities in the luteal phase may prevent embryos from being implanted and lead to infertility. Ultrasounds followed by endometrial biopsies were done on 50 women being treated for infertility. Photographs from the ultrasounds were assessed by a practitioner who was unaware of when during the menstrual cycle the images had been taken. Blood samples were taken from the women to measure hormone levels. A higher grade pattern in the ultrasound was associated with a normal endometrial biopsy. However, there was no significant association between normal or abnormal biopsies and endometrial thickness.

Ultrasound imaging, Diagnosis, Luteal phase defects

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Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist blocks interleukin-1-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in endometrium

Article Abstract:

It appears that a compound capable of blocking the binding site for interleukin-1 (IL-1) called IL-1 receptor antagonist can also block the cytokine's functioning in endometrial cells. IL-1 receptor antagonist was added to a mixture of normal human endometrial cells and IL-1-alpha or IL-1-beta. Normal prostaglandin production and cyclooxyenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression and protein production was significantly reduced after adding the antagonist. However, IL-1 receptor antagonist does not seem to have an effect on COX-1 gene expression or protein production.

Prevention, Gene expression, Interleukin-1

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