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Biomedical subjects

Marjan Attaran

Publications and source records attributed to Marjan Attaran.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Relationship between cytokines and the embryotoxicity of hydrosalpingeal fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The exact chemical composition of hydrosalpingeal fluid is unknown. The objective of this study was to characterize cytokines in hydrosalpingeal fluid (HSF) and examine their possible role in the embryo development. STUDY DESIGN: HSF was aspirated at laparoscopic salpingectomy in eight infertile women. Levels of IL-1beta, IL-13, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha in the HSF were determined by quantitative immunoassay kits. Two-cell mouse embryos were incubated with 0, 25, 50 and 75% concentrations of HSF. The blastocyst development rate (BDR) of mouse embryos was measured at each HSF concentration. RESULT(S): The embryotoxicity of HSF was concentration dependent. An increase in the HSF concentration resulted in significant decrease in % BDR (p < 0.01). IL-1beta was present in six of the eight HSF samples with a mean (+/-SD) concentration of 0.9 +/- 0.8 pg/mL. IL-13 was not detected in any of the HSF samples. IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were detected in all samples with a mean (+/-SD) concentration of 4741.2 +/- 6554.4 pg/mL, 204.8+/-132.8 pg/ml and 12 +/- 12.8 pg/mL respectively. IL-6 was positively correlated with BDR (r = 0.53; p < 0.04). CONCLUSION(S): We demonstrated for the first time the presence of IL-1beta, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-alpha and the absence of IL-13 in human hydrosalpingeal fluid. IL-6 was positively related to the BDR.

Adult↗

Protein supplementation and the incidence of apoptosis and oxidative stress in mouse embryos.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of protein supplementation of culture media on reactive oxygen species production and incidence of apoptosis in preimplantation mouse embryos. METHODS: A total of 72 two-cell mouse embryos were cultured in human tubal fluid (HTF) alone (HTF-alone, control) and 71 embryos in HTF with protein supplementation (10% serum substitute supplement; HTF-SSS) for 72 hours. Total cell number per embryo was determined by staining with Hoechst 33258. Allocation of inner cell mass and trophectoderm in blastocysts and incidence of apoptosis were determined by confocal microscopy. Levels of reactive oxygen species in culture media were measured by chemiluminescence assay using luminol as probe. RESULTS: Blastocyst development, total cell number, and the inner cell mass/trophectoderm ratio were similar between the 2 groups. The blastocyst hatching rate was significantly higher in the HTF-SSS group than in the HTF-alone group (20% compared with 4%, P = .007). Level of reactive oxygen species was significantly higher in HTF-alone compared with HTF-SSS at 24 hours (median and interquartile range 28 [13, 43] compared with 0 [0, 1], P = .02), 48 hours (24 [21, 26] compared with 2 [1, 2], P = .02), and 72 hours (26 [9, 32] compared with 2 [2, 3], P = .03). The incidence of apoptosis in blastocysts cultured in HTF-SSS was significantly lower than those in HTF-alone group (mean +/- standard deviation 2.38 +/- 0.68 and 5.81 +/- 1.11, respectively, P = .001). CONCLUSION: Protein supplementation of culture media improves the hatching rate and reduces reactive oxygen species levels and the incidence of apoptosis in mouse preimplantation embryos.

Animals↗

Ovarian function preservation in the cancer patient.

OBJECTIVE: To review the clinical modalities that are available to women receiving potentially sterilizing cancer therapy. DESIGN: The MEDLINE database was reviewed for all publications on medication, surgery, or assisted reproductive technology that could potentially preserve fertility in women who are receiving cancer therapy. CONCLUSION(S): There are many options available to a patient undergoing a treatment that will negatively impact her fertility. Many procedures and medical interventions have been proven successful both in terms of ovarian function and pregnancy rates. Other techniques have great potential but do not have long-term clinical data. It is important that the patient's primary care physician understand the methods available to preserve fertility in cancer patients and communicate this information to the patient.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Adolescent endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a cause of chronic, pelvic pain in adolescents. Lack of response to NSAIDS and OCPs should prompt further investigation and subsequent treatment. The goal of therapy is to minimize pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea primarily through long-term, medical therapy. Surgical intervention is principally indicated to establish a diagnosis. The poor response to surgical therapy negates the need for repetitive or radical surgery. Much patience and care should be directed toward these patients to provide them with an understanding of their disease and to help enhance the quality of their life.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopy for adnexal masses in the second trimester of pregnancy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of laparoscopic treatment of adnexal masses in the second trimester of pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-3. SETTING: Large tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Eleven women. INTERVENTION: Laparoscopic surgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All masses were identified by ultrasound. The average gestational age at the time of surgery was 17 weeks, 4 days. In seven women the primary cannula was inserted in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Procedures were eight ovarian cystectomies, two oophorectomies, and one exploratory laparoscopy. Average operating time was 135 minutes (range 95-195 min). Average time exposed to carbon dioxide was 78 minutes (range 59-135 min). None of the masses was malignant. There were no fetal complications or malformations. No patients had preterm labor and all delivered at term. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing number of reported cases and our experience suggest that laparoscopic treatment of adnexal masses in the second trimester is safe and effective, but the surgeon must be skilled in advanced techniques of laparoscopic surgery.

Adnexal Diseases↗

Vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation reduce oxidative stress-induced embryo toxicity and improve the blastocyst development rate.

To evaluate the adverse effects of exogenously induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) on mouse embryo development by using the 12-phorbol 13-myristate acetate (PMA)-activated leukocyte model as a source of ROS, and to examine the protective effect of antioxidant supplementation (vitamin C and vitamin E). Prospective study. Research laboratory. Effects of ROS on the blastocyst development rate in the presence and absence of antioxidant supplementation. After incubation with the PMA-activated leukocyte supernatant, the median (25th, 75th percentile) rate of blastocyst development significantly decreased from 73% (60%, 80%) after 3 hours to 30% (20%, 40%) after 6 hours compared with control reactions (86% [80%, 100%]). Co-incubating the embryos with vitamin C (50 microM) and the PMA-activated supernatant significantly increased the blastocyst development rate from 73% (60%, 80%) to 90% (80%, 91%) at 3 hours and from 30% (20%, 40%) to 91% (89%, 91%) at 6 hours-a level similar to that of control reactions. The blastocyst development rate increased after vitamin E supplementation (400 microM) at 6 hours, but not significantly and not by as much as after vitamin C supplementation. Exposure of mouse embryos to ROS for extended periods results in embryotoxicity. Vitamin C is more effective than vitamin E in reversing ROS-induced mouse embryo toxicity.

Animals↗

Endometriosis: still tough to diagnose and treat.

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that may have life-altering implications such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility. The following review will familiarize the practicing physician with available therapies to maintain and enhance reproductive potential and control pelvic pain in women with endometriosis.

Adolescent↗