title: Evaluation of nitric oxide and homocysteine levels in primary dysmenorrheal women in Taiwan.
abstract: In this study, we investigated the possible pathophysiological mechanisms in primary dysmenorrhea. The study was undertaken to determine the effect of homocysteine on the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in primary dysmenorrheal women. A total of 94 students from a local nursing college participated. Group 1 consisted of 51 normal subjects with no dysmenorrhea. Group 2 had 43 subjects with dysmenorrheal symptoms. Our results show that serum NO levels in group 2 are higher than those in group 1. However, the serum homocysteine level was lower in group 2. These observations indicate that the NO pathway is involved in the pathophysiological mechanism responsible for the damaging effects of homocysteine on dysmenorrheal women.
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mao-Feng
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Hui-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Song-Chow
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chi-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D006710:Homocysteine; D009569:Nitric Oxide