Caldesmon expression is decreased in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse: a pilot study.

Introduction and hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to compare vaginal caldesmon expression in women with and without anterior vaginal wall prolapse.

Methods: Vaginal tissues were sampled in women with (n = 11) or without (n = 11) vaginal wall prolapse. Caldesmon messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry and digital image analysis were used to determine caldesmon protein expression in the histologic sections.

Results: There were no significant differences in demographic data between the two groups. Caldesmon mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the vaginal tissue from women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to women without prolapse [(caldesmon mean +/- SD mRNA expression in relative units) 0.03 +/- 0.03 vs 0.17 +/- 0.17, P = 0.02]. The fractional area of nonvascular caldesmon staining in the vagina of women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse was significantly decreased compared to women without prolapse [mean +/- SD (0.09 +/- 0.04 vs 0.16 +/- 0.09, P = 0.03)].

Conclusions: Vaginal caldesmon expression is significantly decreased in women with anterior vaginal wall prolapse compared to normal subjects.