E-Posters-Acute Gene Expression Analysis of Ovine Vaginal Tissue Post-Treatment with a Cryogen-cooled Monopolar Radiofrequency Device

Acute Gene Expression Analysis of Ovine Vaginal Tissue Post-Treatment with a Cryogen-cooled Monopolar Radiofrequency Device - Steven Lathers, PhD

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This study aimed to investigate the gene expression changes in ovine vaginal tissue following treatment with a cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency (CMRF) device. Female sexual dysfunction (FSD), a condition affecting a significant number of women, is often caused by trauma to the genito-pelvic tissue. The CMRF system has been shown in previous trials to effectively treat vaginal tissue for positive outcomes in FSD without causing damage. To understand the mechanism of action of this device, gene expression analysis was performed on treated tissue samples.<br /><br />The study used ovine vaginal tissue as it is anatomically and physiologically similar to human vaginal tissue. Three parous ewes were treated with CMRF at the vaginal introitus, and tissue samples were taken from both treated and untreated locations. RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes.<br /><br />The results showed that 91 genes were differentially expressed in the treated samples compared to non-treated ones. Of these genes, 23 were up-regulated and 68 were down-regulated. The most highly expressed genes were associated with the regulation of cell adhesion, migration, motility, and molecular stress pathways.<br /><br />The findings suggest that there is an immediate response to CMRF treatment as early as 30 minutes post-treatment. The up and down-regulated genes align with the cellular changes hypothesized to lead to the therapeutic responses seen in clinical trials. These results provide initial evidence supporting the clinical outcomes associated with CMRF treatment for FSD.<br /><br />Overall, this study demonstrates the gene expression changes in ovine vaginal tissue following CMRF treatment and reinforces the therapeutic potential of the device in treating FSD. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and understand the long-term effects of the treatment.

Keywords

gene expression changes

ovine vaginal tissue

cryogen-cooled monopolar radiofrequency

CMRF device

female sexual dysfunction

genito-pelvic tissue trauma

mechanism of action

gene expression analysis

RNA sequencing

differentially expressed genes