Expressions of IGF-1, pAKT, and pS6 in Uterosacral Ligaments of Patients with Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to investigate the expressions and significance of IGF-1, pAKT, pS6, and type I and type III collagens in uterosacral ligaments of patients with pelvic organ prolapse (POP). METHODS: A total of 38 patients with POP who underwent hysterectomy or pelvic floor reconstruction were selected as the POP group. Another 38 patients who underwent hysterectomy owing to nonpelvic floor dysfunction were selected as the control group. The POP quantitative staging scores of the two groups were III-IV and 0-I respectively. The histological manifestations of the abandoned uterosacral ligament tissues near the cervix were evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. The expressions of IGF-1, plGF-1R, pAKT, pS6, and type I and type III collagen fibers were detected using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS: Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining showed that the number of POP constituent fibrocytes decreased, the arrangement was disordered, and the distribution of collagen fibers was sparse compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expressions of IGF-1, pIGF-1R, pAKT , pS6, and type I and type III collagen in uterosacral ligament tissues of the POP group significantly decreased. Western blotting demonstrated that the expressions of IGF-1, pIGF-1R, pAKT, pS6, and type I and type III collagen in the POP group significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: The expressions of IGF-1, pAKT, pS6, and type I and type III collagen decreased in the uterosacral ligament tissues of POP patients, and the IGF-1/AKT/mTORC1 signaling pathway regulated by IGF-1 may be related to the occurrence of POP.