title: Uterosacral ligament smooth muscle cell apoptosis is increased in women with uterine prolapse.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the smooth muscle content and apoptosis of the uterosacral ligament in women with and without uterine prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uterosacral ligaments were sampled in women with (n = 9) or without (n = 9) uterine prolapse undergoing hysterectomy. Smooth muscle of the uterosacral ligament was identified by immunohistochemistry. Digital image analysis was used to determine the fractional area of smooth muscle in the histologic cross sections. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucelotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end-labeling method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The fractional area of nonvascular smooth muscle in the uterosacral ligament of women with uterine prolapse was significantly decreased compared to women without prolapse (0.32 +/- 0.12 vs. 0.42 +/- 0.03, P = .02) and the apoptotic index was significantly higher compared to women without prolapse (0.20 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.08 +/- 0.04, P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fraction of smooth muscle in the uterosacral ligaments is significantly decreased, and the rate of apoptosis is higher in women with uterine prolapse compared to women without prolapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (D-50), Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, PO Box 016960, Miami, FL 33010, USA. ptakacs@med.miami.edu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Takacs
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nassiri
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gualtieri
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Candiotti
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Medina
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology