Expression of Decorin and Collagen in the Anterior Vagina of Women With Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence

Abstract

Objective To explore quantity of typeⅠ and Ⅲcollagen and decorin(DCN) mRNA expression in the upper portion of the anterior vaginal wall in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence(SUI). Methods Transvaginal biopsies were obtained from the anterior vaginal wall in 21 cases of POP(POP group), 20 cases of POP+ SUI(POP+ SUI group) and 17 cases of normal women (control group). The concentration of typeⅠand Ⅲ collagen were determined by ELISA method. RTQ-PCR was used to verify the level of DCN mRNA. Results The mean concentration extracellular matrix metabolism was significantly reduced in patients of POP group and POP+ SUI group, compared to control group(P 0.05). Conclusion A decrease in quantity of collagen type Ⅰ and Ⅲ in the connective tissue of anterior vaginal wall may compromise the tensile strength and flexibility, and result in an increase susceptibility to prolapse and stress urinary incontinence. To some extent, decorin might be involved in the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence by influencing collagen metabolism in connective tissue of pelvic floor, and weaken their support strength and elastic properties.The pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse in post-menopausal women is complicated. Key words: pelvic organ prolapse(POP); stress urinary incontinence (SUI); collagen type Ⅰand Ⅲ; decorin(DCN)