The study of apoptosis in endometrium of women with irregular uterine bleeding and its predictive value in endometrial malignancy. Analyze apoptotic and mitotic indices and their relevance in irregular uterine bleeding. To determine the expression of Bcl-2 oncoprotein in endometrial glands from patients with irregular uterine bleeding. Department of pathology in a Government Hospital serving a varied socio-economic population in Chennai. Random samples of endometrial currettings from dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) patient who underwent endometrial curettage as therapeutic and diagnostic procedure during the year 2000. Of 50 cases of endometrial samples from patients diagnosed as cases of DUB, the apoptotic and mitotic indexing was carried out and histological categorization revealed 13 cases as Anovulatory. 14 as simple hyperplasia, 5 as early secretory endometrium, 4 as mid secretory and 4 as late secretory endometrium and 7 as endometrium showing features of hormonal imbalance. Three cases were not included, due to sub-optimal processing. A good correlation of the Bcl-2 expression and the apoptotic cell morphology/indices, in the different categories of the endometria of DUB cases is observed. This preliminary study gives an insight to the existence of a correlative pattern of apoptosis in DUB cases. A prospective study on a larger number of cases may substantiate the hypothesis that the Apoptotic and Mitotic indices are useful screening methods with predictive values on development of endometrial carcinoma. It is observed that an increased apoptotic index correlating with high Bcl-2 expression, reflecting the actual cell burden. This prolonged cell survival resisting cell deletion is associated with irregular uterine bleeding endometria.
In this short review, the current knowledge on the botany, ecology, uses, and medicinal properties of the multipurpose Garcinia subelliptica (Fukugi) is updated. As yet, there are no reviews on this indigenous and heritage coastal tree species of the Ryukyu Islands in Japan, which has ethnocultural, ecological, and pharmacological significance. Planted by the Okinawan people some 300 years ago, Fukugi trees serve as windbreaks and accord protection against the destructive typhoons. The species has become a popular ornamental tree, and its bark has been used for dyeing fabrics. It forms part of the food chain for mammals and insects and serves as nesting sites for birds. Endowed with bioactive compounds of benzophenones, xanthones, biflavonoids, and triterpenoids, G. subelliptica possesses anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-tyrosinase, trypanocidal, antibacterial, DNA topoisomerase inhibitory, DNA strand scission, choline acetyltransferase enhancing, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 inhibitory, and antiandrogenic activities. Fukugetin and fukugiside are two novel biflavonoids named after the species. The chemical constituents of Fukugi fruits when compared with those of mangosteen yielded interesting contrasts.