Molecular Mechanism of Resveratrol and Its Therapeutic Potential on Female Infertility

Resveratrol is a polyphenol present in various plant sources. Studies have reported numerous potential health benefits of resveratrol, exhibiting anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic activity. Due to the reported effects, resveratrol is also being tested in reproductive disorders, including female infertility. Numerous cellular, animal, and even human studies were performed with a focus on the effect of resveratrol on female infertility. In this review, we reviewed some of its molecular mechanisms of action and summarized animal and human studies regarding resveratrol and female infertility, with a focus on age-related infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis.

Perinatal outcome of in vitro fertilization pregnancies in women with polycystic ovary syndrome by pregravid BMI

OBJECTIVES

Given the adverse effects of either polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or overweight/obesity, one could speculate that patients with both would fare worse than others. We sought to evaluate the relationship between pregravid BMI and pregnancy complications in PCOS patients conceived by assisted reproductive techniques (ART).

METHODS

Maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes of singleton pregnancies after assisted reproduction in women with and without PCOS were compared by pregravid body mass index (BMI, <24.9 vs. ≥25 kg/cm²).

RESULTS

The study population comprised 185 with a BMI <24.9 kg/cm² including 39 (21%) with PCOS and 146 (79%) without. We also included 84 patients with BMI ≥25 kg/cm², involving 34 (40.5%) with PCOS and 50 (59.5%) without. PCOS (total 73 patients) was significantly more common among overweight/obese patients, OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.4, 4.4). Neonates >4,000 g were born only to the overweight/obese mothers in the PCOS group. A higher incidence of gestational diabetes, chronic hypertension, and gestational hypertension was related to pregravid overweight/obesity rather than PCOS.

CONCLUSIONS

In this specific subgroup of patients conceived after assisted reproduction, pregravid BMI>25 kg/cm² rather than PCOS itself appears to be associated with GDM and hypertensive disorders.

The effect of transcutaneous application of gaseous CO2 on diabetic chronic wound healing-A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Chronic wounds in diabetics are difficult to treat, therefore, adjuvant therapies have been investigated. Bathing in CO₂ -rich water (spa therapy) has been known in Europe for decades for its positive effect on peripheral vascular disorders. Recently, much effort has been invested in developing optimal application methods of CO₂ . Uses include subcutaneous injections of CO₂ , bathing in CO₂ -enriched water, and transcutaneous application of CO₂ . To verify the effect of transcutaneous application of gaseous CO₂ on the healing of chronic diabetic wounds, a randomized double-blind clinical research was designed. The research included 30 and 27 wounds in the study and control groups, respectively. In addition to standard treatment, patients in the study group received 20 therapies with medical-grade CO₂ gas and the control group received the same treatment with air. Results showed significantly faster healing in the study group: 20 of the 30 wounds in the study group were healed compared with none in the control group. Mean wound surface and volume in the study group was reduced significantly (surface: 96%, P = .001, volume: 99%, P = .003) compared with a small reduction in the control group (surface: 25%, P = .383, volume: 27%, P = .178). Considering our results, transcutaneous application of gaseous CO₂ is an effective adjuvant therapy in diabetic chronic wound treatment.

The effect of LED on blood microcirculation during chronic wound healing in diabetic and non-diabetic patients-a prospective, double-blind randomized study

Chronic wounds, especially in diabetic patients, represent a challenging health issue. Since standard treatment protocols often do not provide satisfactory results, additional treatment methods-like phototherapy using low-level light therapy-are being investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of phototherapy with light-emitting diodes on chronic wound treatment in diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Since a sufficient blood supply is mandatory for wound healing, the evaluation of microcirculation in the healthy skin at a wound's edge was the main outcome measure. Forty non-diabetic patients and 39 diabetics with lower limb chronic wounds who were referred to the University Medical Center Ljubljana between October 2012 and June 2014 were randomized to the treated and control groups. The treated group received phototherapy with LED 2.4 J/cm² (wavelengths 625, 660, 850 nm) three times a week for 8 weeks, and the control group received phototherapy with broadband 580-900 nm and power density 0.72 J/cm². Microcirculation was measured using laser Doppler. A significant increase in blood flow was noted in the treated group of diabetic and non-diabetic patients (p = 0.040 and p = 0.033), while there was no difference in the control groups. Additional Falanga wound bed score evaluation showed a significant improvement in both treated groups as compared to the control group. According to our results, phototherapy with LED was shown to be an effective additional treatment method for chronic wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

Fertility outcome after laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingectomy for tubal ectopic pregnancy A 12-years retrospective cohort study

AIM

To compare the subsequent reproductive outcome after laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingectomy for tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP).

MATERIAL OF STUDY

A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2002 and May 2014 on 132 women admitted to Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", "Gaetano Martino" Hospital, University of Messina (Italy), with EP and who received surgical treatment, including laparoscopic salpingectomy (n=57) or salpingostomy (n=75). Main outcomes included intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), recurrent EP and persistent trophoblastic disease rates.

RESULTS

The IUP rates up to 24 months after surgery were 56.1% for salpingectomy and 60% for salpingostomy. The 2-year recurrent EP rates were 5.3% for salpingectomy and 18.7% for salpingostomy. The persistent trophoblastic disease rate were 1.8% for salpingectomy and 12% for salpingostomy.

DISCUSSION

Our results show that the reproductive outcomes after laparoscopic salpingectomy are similar to those observed after conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

In the surgical treatment of EP, the clinician should choose the best treatment in accordance with the patient, considering the severity of the disease, the clinical characteristics of the patient and her desire to preserve fertility.

KEY WORDS

Ectopic pregnancy, Salpingectomy,Salpingostomy.