Effects of elastase digestion on the murine vaginal wall biaxial mechanical response.

ABSTRACT: Although the underlying mechanisms of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) remain unknown, disruption of elastic fiber metabolism within the vaginal wall extracellular matrix has been highly implicated. It has been hypothesized that elastic fiber fragmentation correlates to decreased structural integrity and increased risk of prolapse; however, the mechanisms by which elastic fiber damage may contribute to prolapse are poorly understood. Further, the role of elastic fibers in normal vaginal wall mechanics has not been fully ascertained. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the contribution of elastic fibers to murine vaginal wall mechanics. Vaginal tissue from C57BL/6 female mice were mechanically tested using biaxial extension-inflation protocols before and after intraluminal e

SUBMITTER: Akintunde A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6298538 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature