Objective: To compare smooth muscle regulatory protein expression in the uterosacral ligament (USL) of women with and without uterine prolapse.
Study design: USLs ligament were sampled in women with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) uterine prolapse. Caldesmon, smooth muscle actin (SMA), myosin heavy chain, and zinc finger protein messenger RNA expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were used to determine protein expression.
Results: Caldesmon messenger RNA expression and the ratio of caldesmon-SMA messenger RNA expression was significantly increased in the USL from women with uterine prolapse compared with women without prolapse (caldesmon mean +/- standard deviation messenger RNA, 0.81 +/- 0.46 vs 0.39 +/- 0.16; P = .01 and caldesmon-SMA messenger RNA ratio, mean +/- standard deviation, 0.11 +/- 0.04 vs 0.07 +/- 0.02; P = .01). In addition, the ratio of caldesmon-SMA staining was significantly increased in women with uterine prolapse compared with women without prolapse (mean +/- standard deviation, 0.44 +/- 0.28 vs 0.28 +/- 0.16; P = .03).
Conclusion: Uterine prolapse is associated with an increased ratio of caldesmon-SMA actin expression.
Copyright 2010 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.