title: UVA-photoactivated riboflavin treatment of vaginal cells derived from pelvic organ prolapse cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) involves vaginal collagen degradation. Strengthening collagen by UVA-photoactivated cross-linking has been demonstrated and suggested target applications include the vaginal wall.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify UVA irradiation and riboflavin effects on vaginal cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vaginal cells were incubated for 24 h (DMEM/F-12 Ham's media) and were exposed to riboflavin (0, 0.1 and 10%) for 30 min before UVA photoactivation. Percentages of live, apoptotic and necrotic cells were determined by propidium iodide/Hoechst 33342 stains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  UVA decreased vaginal cell viability [mean ± standard error of the mean: 26.2 ± 0.5% vs. control (43.9 ± 3.8%)], but riboflavin blocked UVA-induced damage (57.9 ± 2.7 and 56.7 ± 2.1% at 0.1 and 10% riboflavin, respectively). Cells treated with low- and high-dose riboflavin had lower apoptosis (32.9 ± 1.0 and 35.5 ± 0.9%, respectively). Furthermore, riboflavin-treated cells had reduced necrosis (9.3 ± 1.7, 7.8 ± 3.0%) versus UVA-only (32.4 ± 5.5%) or control (17.1 ± 2.8%). Viability was similar for cells from the cervical and hymenal segments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated that riboflavin attenuated UVA damage in vaginal cells by inhibiting necrosis. Cervical and hymenal end vaginal cells were equally affected by UVA. UVA phototoxicity was reduced by the presence of riboflavin.
authors: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, Calif., USA.
authors: Kevin J
authors: KJ
authors: Schultz
authors: Sam
authors: S
authors: Siddighi
authors: Jeffrey S
authors: JS
authors: Hardesty
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Waggonner
authors: J Joshua
authors: JJ
authors: Yune
authors: Philip J
authors: PJ
authors: Chan
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006924:Hymen / Q000166:cytology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000378:metabolism; D056887:Pelvic Organ Prolapse / Q000378:metabolism*; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014621:Vagina / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D003094:Collagen; D012256:Riboflavin