Endometrial cancer (EC) is the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women and its morbidity and mortality are continuously increasing. Considering experience with different types of cancers, C-reactive protein (CRP) appears to be a promising diagnostic and prognostic factor. Aiming to investigate its potential in view of EC authors of this paper reviewed databases for metanalysis, randomized controlled trials and review articles. Studies indicate CRP > 3.33 mg/l correlates with the EC incidence with HR = 2.29 (p < 0.05). Moreover, High-sensitivity CRP assay allows to detect CRP in very low concentrations and distinguish patients with endometriosis, soft tissue sarcomas and possibly EC. Perioperational CRP, as well as its changes are independent prognostic factors for EC. However, CRP-to-albumin ratio as well as Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) have greater prognostic value that CRP alone. Additionally, CRP is possibly a mediator of carcinogenesis and cancer progression through activation of inter alia FcgRs/MAPK/ERK, FcgRs/IL-6/AKT/STAT3 and FcgRs/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathways.

Preeclampsia is one of the three leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It afflicts 2–8% of pregnancies and is the most common cause of gestational hypertension. This article is focused on nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), its role in normal and pathological spiral arteries remodelling and development of preeclampsia, with evaluation if it is a promising therapeutic target. NF-κB is a key mediator of placentation. Since insemination, it stimulates production of proinflammatory cytokines by the uterine epithelium, which leads to activation of macrophages, uterine natural killer cells (uNKs), and other leukocytes. The trophoblast/uNK/macrophage crosstalk is crucial for implantation and spiral arteries remodeling, and NF-κB regulates that process through modification of cytokine expression, as well as cell phenotype and function. In the course of preeclampsia, the remodeling processes is disturbed by excessive inflammation and increased NF-κB activation. The pathological remodeling leads to uteroplacental dysfunction, release of proinflammatory cytokines into the maternal circulation, endothelial stress, and development of preeclampsia. The analysis of genetic and environmental inductors of NF-κB helps to distinguish preeclampsia risk groups. Furthermore, a selective inhibition of NF-κB or NF-κB activating pathways alleviates symptoms of preeclampsia in rat models; therefore, this could be an efficient therapeutic option.

At the end of gestation, the cervical tissue changes profoundly. As a result of these changes, the uterine cervix becomes soft and vulnerable to dilation. The process occurring in the cervical tissue can be described as cervical ripening. The ripening is a process derivative of enzymatic breakdown and inflammatory response. Therefore, it is apparent that cervical remodeling is a derivative of the reactions mediated by multiple factors such as hormones, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, and inflammatory cytokines. However, despite the research carried out over the years, the cellular pathways responsible for regulating this process are still poorly understood. A comprehensive understanding of the entire process of cervical ripening seems crucial in the context of labor induction. Greater knowledge could provide us with the means to help women who suffer from dysfunctional labor. The overall objective of this review is to present the current understanding of cervical ripening in terms of molecular regulation and cell signaling.

Pregnancy is an extremely stressful period in a pregnant woman’s life. Currently, women’s awareness of the proper course of pregnancy and its possible complications is constantly growing. Therefore, a significant percentage of women increasingly reach for various dietary supplements during gestation. Some of the most popular substances included in multi-ingredient supplements are folic acid and choline. Those substances are associated with positive effects on fetal intrauterine development and fewer possible pregnancy-associated complications. Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the impacts of specific environmental factors, such as diet, stress, physical activity, etc., on epigenetic modifications, understood as changes occurring in gene expression without the direct alteration of DNA sequences. Substances such as folic acid and choline may participate in epigenetic modifications by acting via a one-carbon cycle, leading to the methyl-group donor formation. Those nutrients may indirectly impact genome phenotype by influencing the process of DNA methylation. This review article presents the current state of knowledge on the use of folic acid and choline supplementation during pregnancy, taking into account their impacts on the maternal–fetal unit and possible pregnancy outcomes, and determining possible mechanisms of action, with particular emphasis on their possible impacts on epigenetic modifications.

The gestational period is an incredibly stressful time for a pregnant woman. Pregnant patients constantly seek effective and reliable compounds in order to achieve a healthy labor. Nowadays, increasing numbers of women use herbal preparations and supplements during pregnancy. One of the most popular and most frequently chosen herbs during pregnancy is the raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus). Raspberry extracts are allegedly associated with a positive effect on childbirth through the induction of uterine contractions, acceleration of the cervical ripening, and shortening of childbirth. The history of the consumption of raspberry leaves throughout pregnancy is vast. This review shows the current status of the use of raspberry leaves in pregnancy, emphasizing the effect on the cervix, and the safety profile of this herb. The majority of women apply raspberry leaves during pregnancy to induce and ease labor. However, it has not been possible to determine the exact effect of using raspberry extracts on the course of childbirth and the perinatal period. Additionally, it is unclear whether this herb has only positive effects. The currently available data indicate a weak effect of raspberry leaf extracts on labor induction and, at the same time, their possible negative impact on cervical ripening.

Despite extensive knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for childbirth, the course of labor induction is often unpredictable. Therefore, labor induction protocols using prostaglandin analogs have been developed and tested to assess their effectiveness in labor induction unequivocally. A total of 402 women were collected into two groups—receiving vaginal Misoprostol or vaginal Dinoprostone for induction of labor (IOL). Then, the patients were compared in groups depending on the agent they received and their gestational age. Most patients delivered within 48 h, and most of these patients had vaginal parturition. Patients who received the Dinoprostone vaginal insert required statistically significantly more oxytocin administration than patients who received the Misoprostol vaginal insert. Patients who received the Misoprostol vaginal insert used anesthesia during labor statistically more often. Patients who received Misoprostol vaginal inserts had a statistically significantly shorter time to delivery than those with Dinoprostone vaginal inserts. The prevalence of hyperstimulation was similar in all groups and remained low. Vaginal Misoprostol-based IOL is characterized by a shortened time to delivery irrespective of the parturition type, and a lower need for oxytocin augmentation, but also by an increased demand for intrapartum analgesia administration. A vaginal Dinoprostone-based IOL protocol might be considered a more harmonious and desirable option in modern perinatal care.