Katayama Sachiko, Kanako Yoshida, Riyo Kinouchi, Doi Naoko, Kasai Kana, Mari Nii, Ayaka Shinohara, Hikari Sasada, Murayama Misaki, Hidenori Aoki, Hiroaki Inui, Tomohiro Kagawa, Hiroki Noguchi, Kou Tamura, Asuka Takeda, Atsuko Yoshida, Ayuka Mineda, Yuri Yamamoto and Takeshi Iwasa : Prevalence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Japanese women based on symptoms and vulval findings, The Journal of Medical Investigation : JMI, 73, 2026.
2.
Kanako Yoshida, Hikari Sasada, Ayaka Shinohara, Misaki Murayama, Riyo Kinouchi and Takeshi Iwasa : Pelvic Organ Prolapse Association with Iliopsoas Cross-Sectional Area and Muscle Strength in Middle-Aged and Older Women, International Urogynecology Journal, 2025.
(Summary)
Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) may result from anatomical disruption, including fascial rupture during pregnancy and childbirth, and impaired pelvic floor support. Emerging evidence suggests that POP might be associated with weakened core and lower-limb muscles. We hypothesized that POP is associated with reduced muscle strength and decreased muscle cross-sectional area (CSA). This cross-sectional study included 55 women aged 50-70 years. Muscle strength was measured by handgrip, sit-ups, and one-leg standing with eyes open. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging assessed the CSA of the iliopsoas, rectus abdominis, and iliac muscles, adjusted for height. Participants were grouped as 50-59 years (n = 30) and 60-70 years (n = 25) of age. Exercise habits were similar in the two groups. In the Activities of Daily Living questionnaire, women with POP reported reduced physical ability in daily activities. Handgrip strength and sit-up repetitions did not vary significantly, but women with POP aged 50-59 years had shorter one-leg standing time (p = 0.02). The iliopsoas CSA was smaller in women with POP in both age groups (50-59 years: p = 0.003; 60-70 years: p = 0.008). Younger middle-aged women with POP exhibited reduced iliopsoas CSA and impaired lower-limb balance, potentially reflecting a broader musculoskeletal vulnerability associated with aging and sarcopenia. Although this observational study had no interventions, further research should assess if early muscle weakness detection and targeted rehabilitation can improve physical function in this population.
(Keyword)
Cross-sectional area / Iliopsoas muscle / Magnetic resonance imaging / Muscle strength / Pelvic organ prolapse / Sarcopenia
Tomohiro Kagawa, Ayuka Mineda, Tomotaka Nakagawa, Ayaka Shinohara, Ryosuke Arakaki, Hiroaki Inui, Hiroki Noguchi, Atsuko Yoshida, Riyo Kinouchi, Yuri Yamamoto, Kanako Yoshida, Takashi Kaji, Masato Nishimura and Takeshi Iwasa : New treatment strategies for uterine sarcoma using secreted frizzledrelated proteins, Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 27, 5, 231, 2024.
(Summary)
Secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) are involved in the development of various types of cancer and function by suppressing the Wnt signaling pathway. To elucidate the clinical implications of SFRPs in uterine sarcoma, SFRP expression levels and their effects on uterine leiomyosarcoma cells were examined. Immunostaining for SFRP4 was performed on uterine smooth muscle, uterine fibroid and uterine leiomyosarcoma tissues. Additionally, the effects of SFRP4 administration on cell viability, migration and adhesion were evaluated in uterine leiomyosarcoma SKN cells using the WST-1 assay (Roche Diagnostics) and the CytoSelect 24-well Cell Migration Assay Kit and the CytoSelect 48-well Cell Adhesion Assay Kit. The expression levels of SFRP4 in uterine leiomyosarcoma tissues were lower than those in normal smooth muscle and uterine fibroid tissues. In addition, SFRP4 suppressed the viability and migration, and increased the adhesion ability of uterine leiomyosarcoma cells compared with in the control group. In conclusion, SFRP4 may suppress the viability and migration, and enhance the adhesion of sarcoma cells. These results suggested that SFRP4 could be considered as a novel therapeutic target for uterine sarcoma.