Fibrous components of extracellular matrix and smooth muscle of the vaginal wall in young and postmenopausal women: Stereological analysis

• Published in: Tissue & cell Vol. 74; p. 101682
• Main Authors: Babinski, Monique da Silva Dias, Pires, Lucas Alves Sarmento, Fonseca Junior, Albino, Manaia, Jorge Henrique Martins, Babinski, Marcio Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scotland Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2022; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aging; Collagen; Elastic fibers; Extracellular matrix; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix - pathology; Female; Fibers; Histology; Human; Humans; Middle Aged; Mucosa; Muscle, Smooth - metabolism; Muscle, Smooth - pathology; Muscles; Pathophysiology; Pelvic organ prolapse; Post-menopause; Postmenopause - metabolism; Smooth muscle; Stereology; Vagina; Vagina - metabolism; Vagina - pathology; Human; Elastic fibers; Vagina; Histology; Stereology; Collagen
• ISSN: 0040-8166; 1532-3072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101682

•Stereological analysis of the extracellular matrix of the vaginal wall.•Differences caused by age.•Possible correlation with pelvic organs prolapse (POP).
The anterior vaginal wall is subject to many diseases, such as pelvic organ prolapse. The pathophysiology of this illness is multifactorial, and as such, structural components of the vagina are involved. Furthermore, it is more prevalent in older women. There is a lack of data in the literature regarding the extracellular matrix components of the vaginal wall and its changes with aging. The work presented herein aims to perform a stereological study of the extracellular matrix in young and old women. It was observed a decrease of the volumetric density of smooth muscle (45.5 ± 3.2 % and 32.8 ± 5.8 % for the G1 and G2 samples, respectively) and an increase of collagen and elastic fibers with age (35.9 ± 2.1 % and 54.1 ± 5.9 % for the G1 and G2, respectively) in the mucosa of the vaginal wall. These results could help to better understand the pathophysiology of pelvic organ prolapse concerning the aging process.