title: Caldesmon expression is decreased in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to compare vaginal caldesmon expression in women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vaginal tissues were sampled in women with (n = 11) or without (n = 11) vaginal wall prolapse. Caldesmon messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were used to determine caldesmon protein expression in the histologic sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in demographic data between the two groups. Caldesmon mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the vaginal tissue from women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to women without prolapse [(caldesmon mean +/- SD mRNA expression in relative units) 0.03 +/- 0.03 vs 0.17 +/- 0.17, P = 0.02]. The fractional area of nonvascular caldesmon staining in the vagina of women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse was significantly decreased compared to women without prolapse [mean +/- SD (0.09 +/- 0.04 vs 0.16 +/- 0.09, P = 0.03)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vaginal caldesmon expression is significantly decreased in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to normal subjects.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (D-50), University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Jackson Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 016960, Miami, FL 33010, USA. ptakacs@med.miami.edu
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Takacs
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Gualtieri
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Nassiri
authors: Keith
authors: K
authors: Candiotti
authors: Alessia
authors: A
authors: Fornoni
authors: Carlos A
authors: CA
authors: Medina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014596:Uterine Prolapse / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger