Association between high risk papillomavirus DNA and nitric oxide release in the human uterine cervix.
OBJECTIVE
Local cervical factors may determine the outcome of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Nitric oxide (NO) may be one such factor, since it is produced by uterine cervical cells and it takes part in both immunological and carcinogenic reactions. We studied the association between the presence of cervical high risk (hr) HPV DNA and NO in the cervical canal in women.


METHODS
High risk HPV DNA status was assessed from 328 women by using a specific DNA test and the release of cervical NO was assessed as nitrate/nitrite in cervical fluid. Cervical NO was then compared between women showing different status of hr HPV DNA and different cytological and histological findings.


RESULTS
High risk HPV DNA was present in 175/328 (53%) women. The cervical NO release in women with hr HPV DNA was 90% higher compared to hr HPV DNA negative women (p<0.001) (median 45.2 micromol/L; 95% CI 35.2-53.1 vs. 23.8 micromol/L; 95% CI 21.0-26.1). This elevation was not affected by parity, use of oral contraception, intrauterine devices, or signs of bacterial vaginosis or candida infection. Cytologically healthy epithelium and epithelium with mild cytological or histological changes showed elevated NO release if hr HPV DNA was present.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of hr HPV DNA is associated with an increased release of NO in the human uterine cervix. The clinical significance of this phenomenon remains open.
Rahkola
Paivi
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 610, FIN-00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland.
Mikkola
Tomi S
TS
Ylikorkala
Olavi
O
Vaisanen-Tommiska
Mervi
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D009569:Nitric Oxide