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Gene reveals how the brain regulates women's reproductive cycle

Researchers at the Oregon Health & Science University found that a gene enhanced at puberty – EPA1 – acts as a regulator of the neuronal signaling that controls female reproductive function. Both puberty and the female reproductive cycle are controlled by a hormone called GnRH, which is secreted by the hypothalamus. How exactly the brain signals neurons that control GnRH secretion is still a mystery. The study, which will appear in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, reported that the protein product of EPA1, expressed in neurons, helps regulate female reproduction and that EPA1 activates GnRH. Researchers also found that EPA1 expression is selectively increased in the hypothalamus of monkeys, rats, and mice during puberty. The inhibition of EPA1 expression in rats delayed the onset of puberty and disrupted estrous in these animals. The findings of the study show that EPA1 is an important regulator acting within the brain, and contributes to the control of female reproductive function.

The findings of the WISDOM study, conducted by the U.K. Medical Research Council in collaboration with clinicians in Australia and New Zealand, suggest that for older women, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has more risks than benefits. The WISDOM trial followed 5,692 healthy women who, on average, were age 63 and 15 years past menopause. These women were given combined hormone therapy containing estrogen and progestogen hormones, estrogen-only therapy or a placebo pill each day for an average of 12 months. The researchers witnessed an alarming increase in heart attacks, angina, and blood clots in the combined therapy group compared with the placebo group. “Importantly, the WISDOM study showed that there is no overall disease prevention benefit from HRT and some potential risk for women who start hormone replacement therapy many years after menopause,” said Madge Vickers, main author of the study. However, HRT is a good short-term treatment to relieve symptoms of early menopause in younger women.

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Soy nuts found to improve blood pressure levels in post-menopausal women

Researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston found that replacing soy nuts for other protein sources in a healthy diet could lower blood pressure in post-menopausal women, and may reduce cholesterol levels in women with high blood pressure. The study involved 60 healthy post-menopausal women who were kept on two different diets for eight weeks each. One diet comprised of two meals of fatty fish per week and listed 30% of calories from fat – including less than 7% from saturated fat – 15% from protein, 55% from carbohydrates, and 1,200 mg of calcium. The other diet had the same number of calories but replaced fatty fish with soy nuts. The study's results showed that substituting soy nuts as a protein source reduced the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 12 hypertensive women. “This study was performed in the free-living state; therefore, dietary soy may be a practical, safe and inexpensive modality to reduce blood pressure,” concluded the authors of the study.

A study recently conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School in Boston and its affiliate, Brigham and Women's Hospital, discussed the efficacy of calcium and vitamin D in reducing breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women. The study evaluated the diets of more than 10,000 pre-menopausal and 21,000 post-menopausal women, through a questionnaire on the medical history and lifestyle of the participants. A 10-year assessment of the questionnaires showed that pre-menopausal women in the group with the highest intake of calcium had a 40% lower breast cancer risk. Pre-menopausal women with highest vitamin D intake had a 35% lower risk. “I would recommend women, especially pre-menopausal women, have adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D to keep up their overall health, and additionally, to potentially reduce risk for developing breast cancer,” said lead author, Jennifer Hsiang-Ling Lin.

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SGB procedure might relieve women from hot flushes

Findings published in the journal ‘Medical Hypotheses’ by Dr. Eugene Lipov, director of research in the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network Pain Program, claims that the procedure stellate ganglion block (SGB)might relieve women from hot flushes. Research provides that when SGB is injected into the front of the neck, the former blocks sympathetic nerves. The logic derived is that SGB can block the sympathetic nervous system without disrupting the central nervous system, thereby giving relief to the women suffering from hot flashes. There is no evidence backing the long-lasting effect of SGB on hot flashes, but trials are underway to test other forms of estrogen depletion responding to SGB.

Engineers at NeuroSky have reportedly come-up with a new toy that reads brain waves, which has a black mask and saber incorporated with a sensor. The toy reads brain waves when the sensor touches the user's forehead and sends the signals to a wireless receiver inside the sword, designed to light- up when the user is concentrating on any fixed mental image, lighting the sword. The saber becomes dark, when concentration of the user is disrupted. This toy aims at making women players mentally active in a given situation and reverts to the latter with their level of concentration in a given situation.

Recent survey conducted for the Royal College of Midwives suggests that one in five mothers suffer from postnatal depression (PND). Survey including 500 mothers inferred a link between link between PND and a difficult labor and a lack of supportive relationship. “This survey indicates that postnatal depression could be a lot higher than previously estimated and the reality is that the incidence could be even higher, as many women hide their symptoms and are too afraid to ask for help,” said Dame Karlene Davis, General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives.

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Fertility concerns on the rise

Women who wish to conceive may do best by avoiding foods with trans fats as a recent study claims that taking trans fats even in small quantities can have significant effects on fertility. In the study, American researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health linked trans fats to fertility problems. Of the 18,500 women studied who were attempting to conceive, 438 women faced ovulatory problems. The researchers concluded that trans fats could raise one’s likelihood of developing fertility problems even by 70 per cent. But they are unsure as to the exact process by which trans fats affect fertility.

Meanwhile, British scientists from Sheffield University have developed a test that could tell a woman how quickly her biological clock is ticking. The blood test calculates the number of eggs in a woman’s ovaries and determines whether her fertility is on a downward spiral. This test, named Plan Ahead is the first fertility test to bring together pituitary hormone FSH and ovarian hormones inhibin B and AMH, as they are responsible for the number of eggs. With an increasing number of women preferring to have babies at a later stage in life, this test can help them prioritize between career and family.

On the other hand, Indian researchers from the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, have uncovered the disturbing fact that Indian women as young as 30 are reaching menopause. While 3.1 per cent women reach menopause between 30 and 34 years, 8 per cent do so between 35 and 39 years of age. Also, such premature menopause is more common in the rural areas than in the urban areas. However, women who wish to marry late have no cause for concern as giving birth at a later age delays the onset of menopause.

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Vitamin E linked to stillbirths

In what could deal a major blow to the emerging trend of expectant mothers taking vitamin supplements, a new British study claims that Vitamin E can cause stillbirths.

Researchers from the St Thomas’ Hospital in London conducted a two-year study to investigate the link between vitamin E supplements taken by women during pregnancy and the babies born to them. Around 2,400 pregnant women, at the risk of pre-eclampsia, were observed. One group of women took 250 mg of vitamin E and 1,000 mg of vitamin C each day from 14 weeks till the time of delivery. Compared to the other group, these women developed pre-eclampsia sooner and in a more severe form. This group also saw more deaths with 19 babies being stillborn while seven babies were stillborn to women who did not take the vitamin supplements. This is significant as it amounts to a statistic rate of one per cent versus 0.5 per cent. On an average, these babies weighed 60 grams lesser than the babies in the placebo group. Professor Andrew Shennan, who led the study, said that the trial had been conducted to ascertain if the supplements were benefiting pre-eclampsia, but “that turned out not to be the case”.

In a separate study, Australian researchers from the University of Adelaide and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, found little or no difference between women who took vitamin E supplements and those who did not. Both these studies are in direct contrast to an earlier study that suggested that vitamin E, especially taken with vitamin C, could help protect against miscarriage and pre-eclampsia. Even the Department of Health advises only vitamin D and folic acid to pregnant women.

With Britons reportedly spending more than 300 million pounds a year on vitamin supplements, fears about the effects of vitamin E come at a crucial time.

Scientists narrow down major reasons for maternal deaths

A new study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) has zeroed in on high blood pressure and Hemorrhage as the major reasons for the high incidence of maternal deaths in the developing and under developed countries of the world. In the study carried out on more than 35,000 maternal deaths, the researchers have found that Hemorrhage is the leading cause of the deaths in Asia and Africa whereas hypertension is the biggest reason in the Latin America and Carribbean countries.

In another major development, University of California, Berkeley’s School of Public Health, and a group of health professionals have received approval from the Nigerian National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, to launch and distribute an old drug called Misoprostol. This will help in controlling and possibly preventing post-partum hemorrhage that leads to major maternal deaths in the African countries. TThough marketed since 1987 for treatment of gastric ulcers, its importance to reduce post-partum hemorrhage had been known since the 1990s. However, this is the first time that this effective, inexpensive and stable generic drug will be launched in Nigeria.

The maternal mortality ratio in Africa is at crisis level. African women of reproductive age have the highest death risk in the world, with an average of 830 deaths per 100,000 live births. Recently a program that promotes Access to Clinical and Community Maternal, Neonatal and Women Health Services was launched in Africa to bring together African nations in the fight against maternal deaths.

Prior to the WHO study, the medical world targeted low access to health facilities in developing world as the major reason for maternal death. The research and current developments will help the medical world in placing increased emphasis on programs relevant prevention and treatment of hemorrhage, and hypertension before, during and after delivery.

Soya as a natural alternative may replace hormone replacement therapy

Hot flashes, backaches, bone pain and degenerative processes such as arteriosclerosis are just some that affect post-menopausal women the world over. These are caused due to excessive loss of hormones, especially estrogen, from the body. Since decades, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has been considered a solution for these symptoms. However, HRT has been losing its popularity, as it has been known to cause breast and uterine cancer.

Researchers all over the world have shown that alterative and safe plant based hormones such as phytoestrogens are just as effective to curb the post menopausal symptoms as they don’t increase risk of hormone sensitive cancer. But concrete studies and proof for such products are yet to be conducted.

Researchers at the Department of Gynecology and Dietetics at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, have found that Soy could prove to be a very useful and natural alternative to HRT. The study was conducted on 180 women over the age of 45. Soy contains a high level of phytoestrogens and hence is very useful in reducing the post-menopausal symptoms in women. The study carried out at AIIMS has just added merit to the importance of phytoestrogens. Results from the study have shown that women who were given regular intake of Soy considerably reduced their post-menopausal symptoms. This new study brings glimmer of hope in form of natural and effective ways of reducing post-menopausal symptoms for millions of women worldwide.

Technorati Tags : women's, health

Drinking tea may reduce ovarian cancer risks

There is good news for tea drinkers. Swedish researchers have reported that drinking at least two cups of tea a day may help reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer by up to 50 per cent. Black tea and green tea are believed to contain antioxidants that help ward off the process of cell mutation that leads to the growth and spread of cancer.

The researchers found that the risk of developing the cancer was lowered by about 46 per cent in women who consumed at least two cups of black or green tea on a daily basis. In those who drank one cup of the beverage, the risk was reduced by 24 per cent. The study which begun in 1987 was conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm on a volunteer group of 61,057 women in the age group of 40 to 76 years. The researchers have however cautioned that they need to conduct more studies in order to confirm their findings.

Ovarian cancer is a particularly deadly form of the disease and is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide, killing more women than all other gynecological cancers combined. However, it is hard to detect it early, as there are no symptoms. By the time the symptoms do appear, the cancer is usually advanced. If detected early enough, it can be cured in many patients.

The incidences of cancer are slowly but steadily increasing among women in Asia-Pacific. More and more women are falling prey to various cancers including breast, cervical and ovarian due to various lifestyle habits like high-fat diets, alcohol, smoking, etc. Once the findings are confirmed, tea may just be the solution to save the lives of thousands of women afflicted by ovarian cancer worldwide.

Technorati Tags : ovarian+cancer

Risk for preeclampsia rises due to paternal factors reports Norwegian study

The genes of a pregnant woman and those that she and the father pass on to the fetus appear to increase the risk that the mother will experience preeclampsia during the pregnancy reports a study of over 730,000 births in Norway.

Preeclampsia occurs in about 5% of all births. It is a dangerous high-blood pressure condition that can cut the blood supply of the placenta, which provides food and oxygen to the fetus. It can be fatal for the mother and the fetus, or cause low birth weight and other problems. Currently, the only treatment is immediate delivery of the baby.

The study, published in the online British Medical Journal, concluded that "both maternal and paternal factors contribute to the risk of preeclampsia. The risk through affected mothers is higher, presumably becuase these mothers carry susceptibility genes and also transmit independent genetic risk factors to their fetus. The risk through affected fathers is lower because fathers transmit only fetal risk factors."

Men born after a preeclamptic pregnancy were almost twice as likely to father a preeclamptic pregnancy.

Stem cell discovery offers hope for uterine treatments

A stem cell discovery—hailed as a major medical and scientific development by international reproduction experts—by a medical team from Melbourne has kindled hopes of finding effective new treatments for gynecological problems. Monash Institute of Medical Research senior scientist Caroline Gargett has, for the first time in the world, found adult stem cells in the uterus which could lead to women being able to use their own cells to repair their bodies for conditions such as pelvic floor prolapse.

Gargett believes that stem cells found in the uterus can be wheedled to grow healthy new tissues to address a range of common health problems. Besides uterine prolapse, the stem cells may also be used to treat other hernia-related problems, as well as endometriosis and muscular and skeletal conditions. Prolapse, or the descent of the uterus and the vaginal wall, affects one in 10 women, especially those who have had children.

Meanwhile, the Sydney Archdiocese has offered a grant of $100,000 for research on stem cells. This indicates the Church’s guarded support for some types of experimentation with adult stem cells while still being opposed to the use of embryonic stem cells. The latest offer follows a $50,000 grant given by the Archdiocese in 2002, which led to a breakthrough by Griffith University’s Professor Alan Mackay-Sim that succeeded in growing adult stem cells harvested from the nose. Professor Mackay-Sim has proven that olfactory stem cells are a simple source for generating a copious supply of adult stem cells, which can then be turned into practically any kind of body cell without the problems of rejection or tumors associated with embryo cells.