title: Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and adrenomedullin levels in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to examine whether there was a relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and adrenomedullin (AM) in young women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty female subjects without serious medical problems, aged between 20 and 34, who had regular menses for at least six previous cycles, were involved. Blood samples were obtained from each patient on the first and the 21st days of her menstrual cycles. Pelvic examination and ultrasound were performed to determine any organic cause for dysmenorrhea in each patient. The subjects were divided into two groups. The study group consisted of 30 subjects with primary dysmenorrhea, and the control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically significant difference was observed in comparison of the following variables between the groups: age, parity and body mass index. The serum levels of MDA, NO, and AM were significantly higher on the first day compared to those on the 21(st) day in the study group (P < 0.05). The serum levels of MDA, NO, and AM were significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group both on the first and the 21st days of the menstrual cycles (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the results of this study showed that the serum levels of MDA, NO, and AM increase in subjects with primary dysmenorrhea, suggesting the possibility that lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress play a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of primary dysmenorrhea.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey. ebrudikensoy@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dikensoy
authors.forename: Ozcan
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Balat
authors.forename: Sadrettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pençe
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balat
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cekmen
authors.forename: Muhuttin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yurekli
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000097:blood*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000097:blood*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004958:Estradiol; D008315:Malondialdehyde