Do alterations in collagen synthesis play an etiologic role in childhood inguinoscrotal pathologies: an immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
Previous findings have suggested that the development of adult inguinal hernias could be related to alterations in fibrillar collagen synthesis in the hernial sac as a decrease in the ratio of the relative amounts of type I/III collagen. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an alteration in type I and type III collagen synthesis was associated with the development of childhood inguinoscrotal pathologies.


METHODS
The authors analyzed sacs from patients with inguinal hernia (n = 20), hydrocele (n = 10) and undescended testis (n = 10) immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies against alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen type I and III. Peritoneal samples (n = 10) obtained from age-matched patients served as controls. Immunostaining was evaluated by semiquantitative scoring and chi2 test.


RESULTS
The expression pattern of type I and III collagen did not differ among sacs obtained from patients with inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and undescended testis when compared with that of controls. However, strong expression of type III collagen was observed in the hernial sacs of right-sided male inguinal hernia compared with left side.


CONCLUSIONS
Although altered collagen synthesis was reported to play an important role in the development of adult inguinal hernias, our results indicate that a pivotal role in childhood inguinoscrotal pathologies is not likely.
Hosgor
Munevver
M
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Karaca
Irfan
I
Ozer
Erdener
E
Suzek
Deniz
D
Ulukus
Cagnur
C
Ozdamar
Aykut
A
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003094:Collagen / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003456:Cryptorchidism / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000199:Actins; D003094:Collagen