Objectives To analyze the expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) biogenesis and remodeling in vaginal tissue of women with clinically normal pelvic floor support (defined as controls) according to the phase of menstrual cycle and postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Materials and Methods This study examined the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), and the Lysyl oxidase (LOX) family genes in the anterior vaginal wall of Caucasian women by real-time RT-PCR. Initially, mRNA expression was assessed in premenopausal controls in the secretory (group 1, n = 10) vs. proliferative (group 2, n = 8) phase of menstrual cycle. In addition, we compared premenopausal controls in the proliferative phase (group 2) vs. postmenopausal controls (group 3, n = 5). Finally, we analyzed postmenopausal controls (group 3) vs. postmenopausal women with advanced POP (group 4, n = 13). Results According to the phase of menstrual cycle, MMP1 was significantly reduced (p = 0.003), whereas the expression of TIMP1 and LOXL4 was significantly up-regulated during proliferative phase (both p < 0.01) when compared to the secretory phase in premenopausal control women. Regarding menopausal status/ageing, all MMPs were down-regulated, while TIMP3, TIMP4 and LOXL2 were significantly up-regulated in postmenopausal control women when compared to premenopausal controls (p = 0.005, p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, correspondingly). TIMP4 and LOXL2 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in postmenopausal POP patients compared to asymptomatic postmenopausal controls (p < 0.01 for both). Conclusions Our results indicate that ovarian cycle and age-related changes influence the expression of genes encoding proteins responsible for ECM metabolism in human vagina. Moreover, POP is associated with alteration in vaginal ECM components after menopause.

OBJECTIVE: Identify the influence of ovarian hormone deprivation in expression genes on the lower urinary tract of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study deals with gene screening on lower urinary tract of rats. Fifty isogenic rats divided in two groups of twenty-five animals have their lower urinary tract surgically removed: group I, ovariectomized rats 30 days prior to surgery; group II, non-ovariectomized rats. Total RNA was isolated from bladder and urethra, and differential expression of genes was analyzed quantitative, qualitative and comparatively by array technology and RT-PCR. RESULTS: A total of 76 candidate genes were identified as differentially expressed between the groups, 26 being lower expressed in group II, and 50 in group I. Among them, differential expression validation was confirmed by RT-PCR for three lower expressed genes in group I: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Beta-2 Microglobulin (B2M) and Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COX I). CONCLUSION: Ovarian hormone deprivation influences the expression genes on lower urinary tract. We demonstrated that a 30-day period of castration down regulate the expression of VEGF, B2M and COX I in adult rats which are involved in activities of angiogenesis, immune responses and cellular metabolism respectively.