Kollmann, Zahraa; Bersinger, Nick A.; von Wolff, Michael; Thurman, Andrea R; Archer, David F; Stute, Petra (2015). Vaginal cytokines do not correlate with postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms. Gynecological endocrinology, 31(4), pp. 317-321. Informa Healthcare 10.3109/09513590.2014.995080
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)OBJECTIVES
Exploratory pilot study to determine the correlation between postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms and vaginal cytokine levels.
METHODS
Postmenopausal women (n = 34) not using menopausal hormone therapy and presenting with or without symptoms of vulvovaginal irritation were screened. Each participant underwent a vaginal examination and screening for vaginitis. A cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) with sterile saline and a peripheral blood sample were obtained. Main outcome measures were assessed by Luminex® X-map method on the Bio-Plex® platform. Main outcome measures were cervicovaginal and serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-1-alpha and RANTES level. Cervicovaginal cytokines were adjusted to total protein concentration [pg/mcg protein].
RESULTS
Twenty-six postmenopausal women were enrolled (symptomatic: n = 15; asymptomatic: n = 11). There were no significant differences between groups: age, age at menopause, vaginal pH and all CVL and serum cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-1-alpha and RANTES). GM-CSF was the most abundant vaginal cytokine (symptomatic: 146.5 ± 165.6 pg/mcg protein; asymptomatic: 146.0 ± 173.5 pg/mcg protein; p = 0.99).
CONCLUSIONS
Postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms did not correlate with vaginal inflammatory marker. There was no difference in serum or CVL cytokines between symptomatic and asymptomatic postmenopasual women. Vaginal symptoms after menopause are not related to the vaginal cytokine changes associated with loss of estrogen.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
|---|---|
Division/Institute: |
04 Faculty of Medicine > Department of Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Endocrinology (DFKE) > Clinic of Gynaecology |
UniBE Contributor: |
Kollmann, Zahraa, Bersinger, Nick A., von Wolff, Michael, Stute, Petra |
Subjects: |
600 Technology > 610 Medicine & health |
ISSN: |
0951-3590 |
Publisher: |
Informa Healthcare |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Monika Zehr |
Date Deposited: |
17 Feb 2016 17:49 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 14:52 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.3109/09513590.2014.995080 |
PubMed ID: |
25559048 |
Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Interleukin; menopause; serum cytokine; vaginal cytokine; vulvovaginal atrophy |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/77667 |
Actions (login required)
 |
Edit item |