Objectives To evaluate whether micrRNAs associated with endometriosis are detectable in the circulation and could serve as potential noninvasive biomarkers for endometriosis. Design Case-control study. Setting University hospital. Patient(s) Twenty-four women with endometriosis and 24 women without the disease (controls). Interventions Serum samples were collected from women undergoing laparoscopy for endometriosis and other benign gynecologic disease. Main Outcome Measure(s) Total RNA was extracted from serum and qRT-PCR was used to determine levels of miRNA let-7a–f and miR-135a,b. Result(s) Levels of circulating let-7b and miR-135a were significantly decreased in women with endometriosis compared with controls, while let-7d and 7f showed a trend toward down-regulation. Let-7b expression strongly correlated with serum CA-125 levels and showed the highest AUC curve of 0.691. When the subjects were analyzed according to the phase of the menstrual cycle, expression of let-7b, 7c, 7d, and 7e were significantly lower in women with endometriosis during the proliferative phase. Using a logistic regression model, the diagnostic power of differently expressed miRNAs were evaluated, and the combination of let-7b, let-7d and let-7f during the proliferative phase yielded the highest ACU curve value of 0.929 in discriminating endometriosis from controls. Conclusions Several circulating miRNAs are differentially expressed in sera of patients with endometriosis compared to controls. Combination of serum let-7b, 7d and 7f levels during the proliferative phase may serve as a diagnostic marker for endometriosis.

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RG could be an attractive herbal dietary supplement for relieving menopausal symptoms and conferring favorable effects on markers of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.

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These findings strongly suggest that exposure to phthalate may lead to establishment of endometriosis by enhancing invasive and proliferative activities of endometrial cells.

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas or myomas), benign monoclonal tumors, are the most common benign tumors in women. Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding, abnormal uterine bleeding, resultant anemia, pelvic pain, infertility, and/or recurrent pregnancy loss are generally associated with uterine fibroids. Although curative treatment of this tumor relies on surgical therapies, medical treatments are considered the first-line treatment to preserve fertility and avoid or delay surgery. The aim of this review is to provide available and emerging medical treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids. Literature review and consensus of expert opinion. Many uterine fibroids are asymptomatic and require no intervention, although it is advisable to follow-up patients to document stability in size and growth. Fibroid-associated symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding and pain or pelvic discomfort. The association between infertility and fibroids increases with age. Treatment options for symptomatic uterine fibroids — include medical, surgical, and radiologically guided interventions. Various medical therapies are now available for women with uterine fibroids, although each therapy has its own advantages and disadvantages. Currently, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists and selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) are the most effective medical therapies, with the most evidence to support their reduction of fibroid volume and symptomatic improvement in menstrual bleeding. The choice of treatment depends on the patient's personal treatment goals, as well as efficacy and need for repeated interventions.

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Objectives To evaluate associations between aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment and let-7 family microRNA expression in endometriosis. Design In vitro study using Ishikawa cells and human endometrial stromal cells (HESC) obtained from patients with endometriosis Setting University research center. Patients Women undergoing laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis Interventions HESCs and Ishikawa cells treated with various letrozol concentrations and transfected with a mimic of let-7 subtypes of interest Main Outcome Measures microRNAs let7a-f and aromatase expression were evaluated. Migration potential after transfection with a let-7f mimic were analyzed. Results After letrozole treatment for 48 hours, all let-7 subtypes showed a trend toward increased expression in a dose dependent manner in Ishikawa cells, and significant differences were found in let-7b and let-7f between controls and the 20 μmol/L treated groups. Further, let-7f showed significant differences between control and 1.0 μmol/L treatment group, a typical therapeutic level, in HESCs. Transfection of a let-7f mimic decreased aromatase expression in both Ishikawa cells and HESC, and led to a significant decrease in number of migrating cells in both cell types. Conclusions AI treatment significantly increased expression of let-7f in Ishikawa cells and HESCs from patient with endometriosis; increased lef-7f expression effectively reduced the migration of endometrial cells. Modulation of miRNAs involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis may have therapeutic potential for endometriosis.