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Eing-Mei Tsai

Publications and source records attributed to Eing-Mei Tsai.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Leptin suppresses human chorionic gonadotropin-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression and prostaglandin production in cultured human granulose luteal cells.

OBJECTIVE: In a previous study, we demonstrated that high leptin levels at the time of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection impaired the pregnancy rate for women undergoing in vitro fertilization. In this study we examine leptin's effect on prostaglandin formation and cyclooxygenase (COX) expression induced by hCG in human granulose luteal (GL) cells. METHODS: Human GL cells were obtained from women undergoing ovarian hyperstimulation. COX expression and microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) expression, as well as prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) production were studied. This was done in both the presence and absence of leptin following hCG stimulation. PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of COX and mPGES were investigated by using immunocytochemical techniques in addition to Western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. RESULTS: HCG and leptin do not affect COX-1 expression. However, leptin blocked COX-2 and mPGES expression induced by hCG. Moreover, while leptin, in various concentrations, did not affect PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) levels, it inhibited the elevation of PGE(2) and PGF(2alpha) concentrations in response to hCG. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms that the expression of COX-2 is up-regulated by hCG in human GL cells. Leptin suppresses hCG-induced PGE(2) formation through the inhibition of COX-2 and mPGES expression. The preliminary results suggest a potential inhibiting effect of leptin on human GL cells induced by hCG.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Incidental finding of a benign bladder tumor during the tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

As use of the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) grows, more unexpected findings during this procedure are likely to be encountered. However, concomitant resection of a bladder tumor during the TVT procedure is rare. A TVT operation was carried out in a 56-year-old woman with urodynamic stress incontinence. A bladder tumor located in the trigone was found incidentally during cystoscopy. Concomitant resection of the bladder tumor was performed following the TVT procedure. The surgical result of our patient suggests that concomitant resection of a benign intravesical pathology with TVT procedure is safe and effective. Moreover, it does not compromise overall improvement of stress incontinence. The value of cystoscopy during the TVT procedure is emphasized.

Cystoscopy↗
PubMed2006

Adiponectin and glucose levels in women with negative or false positive glucose challenge test.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there is a correlation between adiponectin levels and glucose levels in women screened for gestational diabetes mellitus by means of a 50-g oral glucose challenge test, and to examine the difference in adiponectin levels between women who tested negative, and those who tested false positive. We further calculated the correlations between adiponectin levels and glucose levels, body mass index, gestational age and maternal age. METHODS: A case control study included 171 mothers with negative or false positive results in the 1-h 50-g glucose challenge test at 24-28 gestational weeks. Serum adiponectin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay at the time of the glucose challenge test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between women who tested negative at screening, and those who tested false positive with respect to age, prepregnancy body weight and body mass index, and adiponectin levels. Correlation analysis showed adiponectin levels to be negatively correlated to glucose levels (r=-0.193, P=0.011). To examine the association between glucose levels, adiponectin levels and demographic variables, multiple linear regression analysis was carried out. Prepregnancy body mass index and age accounted for 14.6% of the variance in the glucose challenge test. Adiponectin levels did not contribute independently to the variation in glucose levels. A further multiple linear regression analysis was undertaken to investigate the association between adiponectin levels and age, prepregnancy body mass index and glucose levels in the glucose challenge test. In this regression model, prepregnancy body mass index and age explained 12.1% of the variance in adiponectin levels. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our study indicated a negative correlation between adiponectin and glucose levels in women screened for gestational diabetes mellitus by a glucose challenge test. We further found that maternal age and body mass index were independent risk factors for a false positive glucose challenge test. Reduced adiponectin levels in women who tested false positive on the glucose challenge test were dependent on advanced age and higher body mass index.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

Serum adiponectin levels increase after human chorionic gonadotropin treatment during in vitro fertilization.

AIMS: To determine whether or not serum adiponectin concentrations are influenced by ovarian hyperstimulation during in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS: This study involved 52 women who were participating in IVF-ET cycles. Adiponectin levels in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay and compared. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels fell from Day-basal to Day-hCG (p = 0.047), and then rose on Day-OR and again on Day-7ET (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Estradiol levels on Day-hCG were significantly and positively correlated with serum adiponectin levels on Day-OR and Day-7ET (r = 0.325, p = 0.019; r = 0.372, p = 0.007). Progesterone levels on Day-OR positively correlated with serum adiponectin levels on Day-basal (r = 0.278, p = 0.046). There was also a positive correlation between progesterone levels on Day-7ET and serum adiponectin levels on Day-OR (r = 0.289, p = 0.038). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that adiponectin levels on Day-OR and Day-7ET were negatively correlated with age and body mass index after adjustment was made for concomitant diseases. CONCLUSIONS: To sum up, following gonadotropin treatment, serum adiponectin levels decrease as a result of the negative effect of high estradiol levels on adiponectin production. Conversely, serum adiponectin levels increase following human chorionic gonadotropin treatment.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2006

A randomized comparative study of the effects of oral and topical estrogen therapy on the lower urinary tract of hysterectomized postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of oral and vaginal estrogen therapy (ET) on the lower urinary tract in postmenopausal women with prior hysterectomy. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective study. SETTING: Tertiary teaching hospital. PATIENT(S): Fifty-seven hysterectomized, postmenopausal women. INTERVENTION(S): Patients were randomized to receive either oral (0.625 mg of conjugated equine E per tablet; n = 27) or topical (0.625 mg conjugated equine E per 1 g vaginal cream; n = 30) E, administered once daily. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): All subjects had E2 measurements, urinalysis, pelvic examination, introital color Doppler ultrasonographies, and personal interviews with the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaires before and 3 months after ET. RESULT(S): A higher serum level of E2 was noted in the oral group compared with the topical group after ET. The post-ET pulsatility index of periurethral vessels and bladder neck revealed statistically significant decreases in both groups. The incidences of urinary frequency and nocturia were significantly decreased after 3 months of ET in both groups. Changes in the incidence of other symptoms, including stress incontinence and urge incontinence, were not statistically significant. However, subjective improvement of stress incontinence was found in 72.7% of the oral group and 60% of the topical group. CONCLUSION(S): The results suggest that ET alone, by an oral or vaginal route, could increase the blood flow around the bladder neck and mid-urethra and relieve the symptoms of overactive bladder and stress incontinence in postmenopausal women with prior hysterectomy. In addition, vaginal preparations are as effective as systemic therapy at the lower serum level of E2.

Administration, Intravaginal↗
PubMed2006

Decreased plasma visfatin concentrations in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that plasma visfatin concentrations will be lower in women with gestational diabetes mellitus, we evaluated women with gestational diabetes mellitus and healthy pregnant women, and then correlated their plasma visfatin concentrations with body mass index (BMI) and various other parameters. METHODS: A total of 40 women were evaluated: 20 women with gestational diabetes mellitus and 20 healthy pregnant women to serve as control subjects. Plasma visfatin concentrations were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Plasma visfatin concentrations were significantly lower in the gestational diabetes mellitus group (9.4 +/- 3.8 ng/mL) than in the healthy control group (12.6 +/- 4.5 ng/mL) (P = .023). A negative correlation was found between plasma visfatin concentrations and maternal age (r = -0.399, P = .011), first trimester body weight (r = -0.350, P = .027), and first trimester BMI (r = -0.336, P = .034). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that maternal age (P = .017) and gestational diabetes mellitus/no gestational diabetes mellitus (P = .044) were independently related to plasma visfatin concentrations. However, no relationship was found with either gestational age at the time of sampling or first trimester BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that there are decreased concentrations of plasma visfatin in gestational diabetes mellitus subjects and this may indicate that visfatin plays a role in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, further experiments are needed to clarify this role.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

G-2548A polymorphism of the leptin gene is correlated with extreme obesity in Taiwanese aborigines.

We examined the genetic associations of the G-2548A polymorphism in the promoter of the leptin (LEP) gene and the Gln223Arg (Q223R) polymorphism of the leptin receptor (LEPR) gene with obesity. Two hundred twenty-six obese aboriginal subjects (BMI > or = 27 kg/m2) and 182 aboriginal subjects with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2) participated in this study. The polymorphisms of LEP G-2548A and LEPR Q223R were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism, and their anthropometric characteristics were measured. Levels of leptin, triglycerides, and cholesterol were measured after overnight fasting. We found that the frequencies of the LEP G/G homozygote (22.6%) with Mendelian recessive (chi2 = 7.89, p = 0.005) and codominant (chi2 = 7.93, p = 0.02) models to be higher in the extremely obese subjects (BMI > or = 35 kg/m2) than in normal weight subjects (6.9%) but not in moderately obese subjects (35 > BMI > or = 27 kg/m2). There was no difference in genotypic frequency of the LEPR Q223R polymorphism between the extreme obese and control groups. We suggest that the LEP -2548 G/G homozygote plays a genetic recessive role in the development of extreme obesity in Taiwanese aborigines.

Asian People↗
PubMed2006

In vitro effects of arecoline on sperm motility and cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Semen samples were obtained from 30 volunteers who had never consumed betel quid. Swim-up spermatozoa from the 30 seminal samples of non-betel quid chewers and also non-smokers, usually not exposed to passive smoking, were treated in vitro with arecoline at different concentrations to evaluate the action of these drugs on sperm motility. Highly motile sperms were collected and divided into 5 equal fractions. Four fractions were supplemented with various concentrations of arecoline and one as control. The study was carried out at time 0 and +1, +2, +3 and +4 hr of incubation. Sperm cells were also extracted and blotted with COX-2 antibody after arecoline treatment after 4 hr incubation. The sperm motility parameters, i.e., motility, average path velocity, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity and linearity, were significantly decreased after arecoline treatment. In vitro, arecoline induces the COX-2 expression of sperm cells in a dose-dependent manner. This is the first report to demonstrate that arecoline may mediate COX-2 expression in human sperms, resulting in inflammation response. This situation may act on the structure responsible for the flagellar motion and cause the reduction of sperm motility.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Arsenite enhances tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Epidemiological studies demonstrated a high association of vascular diseases with arsenite exposure. We hypothesize that arsenite potentiates the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on vascular endothelial cells, and hence contributes to atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of arsenite and its induction of glutathione (GSH) on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a typical proinflammatory cytokine. Our study demonstrated that arsenite pretreatment potentiated the TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression with up-regulations of both activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). To elucidate the role of GSH in regulation of AP-1, NF-kappaB, and VCAM-1 expression, we employed l-buthionine (S,R)-sulfoximine (BSO), a specific gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCS) inhibitor, to block intracellular GSH synthesis. Our investigation revealed that, by depleting GSH, arsenite attenuated the TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression as well as a potentiation of AP-1 and an attenuation of NF-kappaB activations by TNF-alpha. Moreover, we found that depletion of GSH would also attenuate the TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression with a down-regulation of the TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation and without significant effect on AP-1. On the other hand, the TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression could be completely abolished by inhibition of AP-1 or NF-kappaB activity, suggesting that activation of both AP-1 and NF-kappaB was necessary for VCAM-1 expression. In summary, we demonstrate that arsenite enhances the TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression in HUVECs via regulation of AP-1 and NF-kappaB activities in a GSH-sensitive manner. Our present study suggested a potential mechanism for arsenite in the induction of vascular inflammation and vascular diseases via modulating the actions of proinflammatory cytokines.

Arsenites↗
PubMed2005

Higher basal adiponectin levels are associated with better ovarian response to gonadotropin stimulation during in vitro fertilization.

AIMS: To measure adiponectin levels in the serum samples from day 3 of the menstrual cycle prior to the administration of gonadotropin during in vitro fertilization, and to measure any correlations between adiponectin levels and the number of oocytes retrieved, body weights and body mass indexes. Also, to examine whether there is a difference in adiponectin levels between women who conceive and those who do not. METHODS: In a case-control design, 56 women undergoing in vitro fertilization procedures were included in this study: 28 women who conceived were matched with 28 women who did not conceive. Adiponectin levels in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay and compared. RESULTS: The adiponectin levels were positively correlated with the number of oocytes retrieved (r = 0.306, p = 0.022), but negatively correlated with body mass index and body weight (r = -0.367, p = 0.005; r = -0.326, p = 0.014). No significant correlations were found between the number of oocytes retrieved and body mass index or body weight (r = 0.020, p = 0.882; r = 0.069, p = 0.613). We further observed that adiponectin levels in women who conceived (23.0 +/- 2.0 microg/ml) were found to be significantly higher (p = 0.026) than those in women who did not conceive (17.3 +/-1.4 microg/ml). The number of oocytes retrieved from women who conceived (13.3 +/- 0.9) was also higher than that in women who did not (10 +/- 1.2; p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The number of oocytes retrieved was found to correlate positively with the adiponectin levels on the day prior to the administration of gonadotropin. In addition, basal adiponectin levels were significantly higher in those women who conceived. Therefore, adiponectin is a better marker of adequate follicular development during in vitro fertilization than is body weight or body mass index.

Adiponectin↗
PubMed2005

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits ovarian functions in female mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on ovarian regulation in mice through intraperitoneal administration. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-two ICR strain female mice were divided into seven groups, including one control. Each mouse received ovarian hyperstimulation. ANP was prepared with saline at concentrations of 0 (as control), 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, and 30 ng/g of body weight. The solution was intraperitoneally applied to each referred group (n = 6) 1 h before the hMG and hCG injections. The mice were sacrificed next morning and blood samples were collected for analysis. RESULTS: A significant reduction in both ovarian weight and the number of oocytes was found as the ANP dosage increased. ANP treatment decreased both serum estradiol and progesterone levels. The pituitary FSH and LH contents elevated significantly by ANP at a dosage larger than 4 ng/g of body weight; however, both serum FSH and LH levels remained unchanged. Histologically, there were remarkable ovarian inhibitory features, i.e. reduction in size and number of follicles, arrest of follicular growth and diminution of ovulation. CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal administration of ANP inhibits the follicular growth, ovulation and steroidogenesis in female mice. These effects are attributed to the direct action of ANP on ovaries.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Delayed postpartum hemorrhage--a rare clinical presentation of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case report.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) are rare and closely related disorders characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure. Many risk factors have been reported including infection, cancer, pregnancy, a variety of drugs (e.g. anticancer drugs), and autoimmune diseases. The incidence of TTP-HUS is higher in females than in males, especially during pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period. Review of the literature reveals that delayed postpartum hemorrhage is a rare clinical presentation of TTP-HUS. We report a case of TTP-HUS with recurrent delayed postpartum hemorrhage and dismal outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Concomitant resection of congenital vaginal septum during the tension-free vaginal tape procedure.

This case report illustrates how the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure can be successfully combined with another gynecological intervention. A 38-year-old patient had been diagnosed with didelphys uterus during cesarean section. She came to us for treatment of confirmed genuine stress incontinence. In conjunction with the TVT procedure, we resected the congenital vaginal septum. The patient has remained continent for over 1 year.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The clinical and urodynamic effects of the tension free bladder neck sling procedure.

This study evaluated the clinical and urodynamic findings before and after tension-free bladder neck sling (TBS) procedure with Prolene tape. We enrolled 32 women who underwent TBS for genuine stress incontinence without intrinsic sphincter deficiency or severe uterovaginal prolapse. All subjects received 1-h pad test, Q-tip test, multichannel urodynamic testing, introital ultrasonography, and the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaires before and 1 year after surgery. Of the 32 subjects 27 were cured of stress incontinence, two improved, and three failed. The incidence of irritative symptoms and incomplete bladder emptying were significantly lower after surgery. The mean urethral straining angle showed a significant decrease from 73.8 degrees preoperatively to 30.1 degrees postoperatively. At rest the postsurgical position of the bladder neck (BN) was localized more cranially. During straining both ventral and caudal mobility of the BN decreased significantly following TBS, causing a more cranial and dorsal position of the BN. Urodynamic parameters including functional urethral length, maximal urethral closure pressure, and pressure transmission ratio showed significant increases after surgery. TBS could decrease the hypermobility of the BN and restore the BN support to prevent urinary leakage during straining, instead of urethral obstruction. The subjective and objective cure rate of stress incontinence is 84%, similar to those results reported after retropubic urethropexy and tension-free vaginal tape procedure. It is also worth emphasizing that no postoperative urinary retention occurred, although the limited number of cases makes it hard to confirm the significance of findings over the retention rate of tension-free vaginal tape.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Choosing calcium channel blockers for pregnant women with paroxysmal supraventriclar tachycardia and preterm labor: a case report.

Preterm labor is a major clinical hazard causing both maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) complicated by preterm labor is rare. Of the many drugs used to treat PSVT, only calcium channel blockers are tocolytics. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female admitted to our ward with previously diagnosed PSVT and preterm labor at 31 weeks' gestation of her fourth pregnancy. Calcium channel blockers were administered and her uterine contractions subsided. Afterwards, no side effects were noted and she suffered no further tachycardic attacks during her pregnancy. She successfully delivered a full-term baby and received subsequent regular follow-up at the outpatient clinic.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Lateral excision of tension-free vaginal tape for the treatment of iatrogenic urethral obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience on lateral excision of tape in women with iatrogenic urethral obstruction after the tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. METHODS: Seven women had iatrogenic urethral obstruction based on their clinical and urodynamic findings. All underwent lateral excision of the tape using the vaginal approach. Lower urinary tract symptoms, postvoid residual volume and urodynamic data were evaluated before and after excision. RESULTS: Before excision, all subjects had either irritative symptoms or increased postvoid residual volume (more than 100 mL), and 6 (85.7%) voided with strain. The mean time from initial surgery to tape excision was 28 days (range 4 to 108), with an average follow-up of 32 months (range 24-39). After the excision, voiding dysfunction was resolved in 6 of 7 patients. The remaining patient had significant improvement with only occasional symptoms of irritation. Two (28.6%) women reported recurrent stress incontinence and 1 (14.3%) required surgical treatment. The intervals for the 2 recurrent patients from TVT to excision were 4 days. The intervals for the 5 continent women were 15 to 108 days. CONCLUSION: Urethral obstruction after TVT is a relatively uncommon condition. It can be effectively treated with transvaginal lateral excision of the tape. Recurrent stress incontinence seems to be less likely to occur when the takedown procedure occurs beyond 14 days after the initial TVT operation.

Female↗