title: Ultrastructural comparison of uterine leiomyoma cells from the same myoma nodule before and after gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare ultrastructural features of leiomyoma cells from the same uterine myoma nodule before and after GnRH agonist (GnRH-a) treatment and to examine the relation between these ultrastructural changes and the extent of myoma volume reduction with GnRH-a treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty women with uterine leiomyomas who were scheduled for surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transcervical needle biopsy of uterine myoma, s.c. leuprolide acetate injection (3.75 mg) at least three times every 4 weeks before surgery, and hysterectomy or myomectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The changes in ultrastructural features of uterine leiomyoma cells and the percentage decrease in the volume of the largest myoma at 12 weeks of GnRH-a treatment measured by magnetic resonance imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A decrease in myofilaments, mitochondrial swelling, and emergence of the lysosomal body were observed in relation to GnRH-a treatment. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the decrease in myofilaments and myoma shrinkage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cellular atrophy due to a decrease in myofilaments plays a major role in the reversible myoma shrinkage resulting from GnRH-a treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawamura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ichimura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsujimura
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ishiko
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogita
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone