glycogen and Vaginal-Neoplasms

Bilaterally ovariectomized rats (Sprague-Dawley) were used to study the early effects of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) on the morphology and cytochemistry of vaginal epithelium. BP (50 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously in 0.5 ml corn oil and dosing was daily for 2--6 days. Animals were sacrificed 24 hr after the last dose; and vaginal tissue was processed separately for light and electron microscopy, and ultracytochemistry. The results indicate that BP alone induces mucification, mitosis and DNA synthesis in the superificial and basal comportmanets of vaginal epithelium, and DNA synthesis in the submucosal layer. BP also enhances alkaline phosphatase activity and glycogenesis. Alkaline phosphatase is present in the plasma membranes of various cells and in the membranes delimiting secretory granules. Increased alkaline phosphatase is associated with cell growth and proliferation, and also with mucin formation and secretion. Glycogen is relatively abundant in the intermediate cells and parabasal cells. Further, periodic acid-silver methenamine staining indicates that secretory granules and mucin contain glycoproteins. An examination of the fine structure of mucocytes reveals that Golgi complex and granular endoplasmic reticulum are involved in the fabrication of mucin which is secreted by apocrinal and exocytotic processes. Increased mucification was observed after two days (2 doses) and intensified up to 6 days (6 doses). These findings provide evidence that BP is mucinogenic and mitogenic agent to vaginal epithelium in spayed rats without the presence of exogenous ovarian hormone promoting or inducing factors.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Benzopyrenes; Castration; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; DNA, Neoplasm; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epithelium; Female; Glycogen; Glycoproteins; Neoplasms, Experimental; Rats; Vagina; Vaginal Neoplasms

Because stilbestrol (DES)-associated vaginal adenosis appears shortly after onset of puberty, this study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of local treatment with progesterone as an inhibitor of ovarian estrogens, the possible etiological agents of vaginal adenosis. 5 teen-age women were studied; the mother of each had received varying amounts of DES during the patient's time in utero. The biopsy-proven adenosis cases were marked by redness, squamous pegs, and chronic inflammation before treatment with 20-mg progesterone suppositories, inserted vaginally, 2 times/day. (9 figures depict the cytological appearance of the subjects' vaginas before and after therapy.) Regression of the adenosis occurred in all 5 subjects; regression was marked clinically by gradual elimination of redness of the vaginal mucosa as well as reduction of inflammation, as observed microscopically. In 3 of the 5 patients, no evidence of vaginal adenosis was found on biopsy post-therapy. In the other 2 patients, residual adenosis was confined to the cervical area. Serum progesterone concentrations were measured throughout the study by radioimmunoassay and were found to be low in the 1st half of the cycle (.75-2.3 ng/ml), but the levels increased to high luteal-phase values by the 2nd half of the cycle (8.7-24.5 ng/ml). No alterations in menstrual patterns were seen. Local progesterone application may have great value in treatment of vaginal adenosis, particularly that associated with DES exposure in utero. Therapy with progesterone resulted in regression of disease without interfering with ovulatory patterns.

Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Cytoplasm; Diethylstilbestrol; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Menstruation; Metaplasia; Precancerous Conditions; Pregnancy; Progesterone; Staining and Labeling; Suppositories; Vagina; Vaginal Diseases; Vaginal Neoplasms

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biopsy; Desmosomes; Diethylstilbestrol; Female; Glycogen; Golgi Apparatus; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Vaginal Diseases; Vaginal Neoplasms

Topics: Cytoplasm; Diagnosis, Differential; Endoplasmic Reticulum; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Infant; Mesenchymoma; Microscopy, Electron; Microtomy; Mitochondria; Myofibrils; Pinocytosis; Ribosomes; Vaginal Neoplasms