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Biomedical subjects

G D'Ambrogio

Publications and source records attributed to G D'Ambrogio.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Vascular endothelial growth factor, interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 in serum and follicular fluid of patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the presence of VEGF, IL-6 and IL-2, in serum and follicular fluid, in patients developing severe OHSS. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled 101 women undergoing in vitro fertilization. Eight patients developing severe OHSS were compared with 43 high risk patients and 50 controls. We analyzed VEGF and IL-6 in serum collected before hCG administration, and in both serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte retrieval. RESULTS: OHSS patients presented follicular fluid IL-6 levels higher than both the patients at risk and controls (P<0.05). On the day of the oocyte retrieval the patients developing OHSS showed serum and follicular VEGF values higher than the ones of the patients at risk (P<0.05). Serum and follicular fluid IL-2 levels showed no differences between the examined groups. IL-2, IL-6 and VEGF values were not correlated with each other. CONCLUSIONS: Angiogenesis and inflammation processes are both present in severe OHSS.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian cystic pathology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL-8) in ovarian cysts. DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENT(S): One hundred women, of whom 9 had ovarian carcinomas, 38 had ovarian endometriomata, 43 had serous ovarian cysts, and 10 had follicular ovarian cysts. INTERVENTION(S): Sampling of serum and ovarian cystic fluid before and during surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Levels of VEGF and IL-8 in cystic fluid and serum. RESULT(S): Levels of both VEGF and IL-8 were found to be significantly higher in the cystic fluid of ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in serous and follicular cysts. In endometriomata fluid, levels of VEGF and IL-8 were found to be directly correlated (r = 0.68; P=.0074). Serum levels of VEGF were significantly higher in women with ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata than in those with serous and follicular cysts. Ovarian cancers and endometriomata were similar in terms of cystic concentrations of VEGF and IL-8 and in serum levels of VEGF. CONCLUSION(S): An increase in angiogenic factors that differentiate ovarian carcinomas and endometriomata from other kinds of ovarian pathology is demonstrated.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed2001

Expression and prognostic significance of urokinase and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

Proteolytic enzymes, like urokinase (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), are involved in remodelling tissues during invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the expression and the prognostic significance of these enzymes in endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. We used immunohistochemical staining to localize uPA and PAI-1 antigens and evaluate their expression, and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure their levels during the progression of endometrial carcinoma. The results show that the levels of uPA and PAI-1 detection are systematically weak in simplex hyperplasia and are moderate in complex hyperplasia. In the endometrial carcinoma a very strong reaction was observed in the most aggressive variant of epithelial tumors. A positive signal for uPA was found only in the cytoplasm of normal and hyperplastic cells while, in tumors, uPA was present also in the cellular areas surrounding the neoplastic glands and at the apex of the malignant cells. The PAI-1 immunoreactivity was weak to moderate in 95.4% of carcinomas, with a diffuse signal mostly distributed in the cytoplasm of neoplastic cells and tumor stroma. UPA antigen concentrations were significantly higher in endometrial carcinoma than in endometrial hyperplasia (p<0.05) and in normal endometrium (p<0.001). PAI-1 antigen concentrations in carcinoma samples were significantly higher than in normal endometrium (p=0.002), but the difference was not statistically significant with respect to that in endometrial hyperplasia. We did not find any correlation between uPA and PAI-1 concentrations and the standard prognostic parameters for evaluating endometrial carcinoma. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that in hyperplastic endometria and in endometrial carcinoma there is a progressive increase in expression of uPA and PAI-1 than in normal endometrial tissue. In carcinoma tissues, the high expression of uPA is unregulated in the surrounding stroma tissue, particularly in the most aggressive histopathologic variants. UPA and PAI-1 may be factors associated with invasive behavior in endometrial carcinoma independent of other clinicopathological parameters.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

High concentrations of the vascular endothelial growth factor and interleukin-8 in ovarian endometriomata.

Patients with endometriosis are characterized by the ability of the endometrium to implant and by the peritoneal response to the tissue; angiogenic factors may play a significant role in the aetiology of endometriosis supporting the implantation of ectopic endometrial cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a mitogen, morphogen and chemoactractant for endothelial cells and, in vivo, it is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a chemoatractant for neutrophils and is a potent angiogenic factor. Women (n = 20) with ovarian endometriomata and 10 women with follicular cysts were enrolled in this study to investigate the role of VEGF and IL-8 in the development and maintenance of ovarian endometriomata. Cystic fluids were collected by laparoscopy, immediately centrifuged and stored until the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed. The VEGF and IL-8 concentrations were found to be significantly higher in the fluids of the ovarian endometriomata than in those of the follicular cysts of controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively); in addition, a significant inverse correlation between the VEGF cystic fluid concentrations and the diameter of the endometriotic adnexal masses was found (r = -0.56, P = 0.01). The evidence that the high concentrations of VEGF and IL-8 are present in the ovarian endometriomata indicates that angiogenesis could be a specific event both for the progression and maintenance of such cysts.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Ovarian follicular fluid contains immunoreactive estriol: lack of correlation with estradiol concentrations.

Estradiol and estrone concentrations in ovarian follicular fluid change according to the ovulatory cycle, but no studies on the possible presence and/or changes of estriol are available. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether estriol is measurable in follicular fluid and how its concentration changes according to the volume of ovarian follicles and to the maturational stage of oocytes. A group of women (n = 39) undergoing a program of induction of ovulation was included in this study and divided into three groups according to the causes of infertility: those with unexplained infertility (n = 11); those with endocrine disturbances (n = 5); and normal ovulatory women (n = 23) (controls). The follicles recruited (n = 116) on the basis of morphology and the appearance of the oocyte cumulus-corona complex were divided into: mature (n = 22); intermediate (n = 75); immature (n = 11); and atretic (n = 8). Ovarian follicles were also divided according to the diameter of each: < 1.5 cm (n = 38); 1.6-2.4 cm (n = 66); and > 2.5 cm (n = 12). Ovarian follicular fluids were aspirated under ultrasound guidance and a blood specimen was collected from each subject. Estriol and estradiol concentrations were evaluated by radioimmunoassay in serum and follicular fluid following an ether extraction. Estriol was found in high concentration in each sample of follicular fluid, significantly higher than in the respective serum sample (p < 0.01). Although the estradiol concentration was significantly lower in follicles containing immature and atretic oocytes than in intermediate or mature follicles (p < 0.01), the estriol concentration did not depend upon the maturational stage. In addition, the follicular fluid estriol concentration did not differ according to the causes of infertility. Follicular fluid and serum estradiol concentrations showed significant correlation (p < 0.01), whereas no significant correlation was observed between serum and follicular estriol concentrations. The present data show that follicular fluid contains a high concentration of estriol and that its changes are independent of the ovulatory cycle and estradiol concentrations, supporting an independent origin and suggesting a different function for estriol.

Estradiol↗
PubMed1999

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor levels before starting gonadotropin treatment in women who have developed moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

The study aims to evaluate whether serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, before treatment with gonadotropins, may be considered a predictive marker of moderate ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). At the University of Pisa hospital infertility unit we have retrospectively selected 10 patients who developed moderate forms of OHSS and 30 control patients who presented a normal response to ovarian stimulation among 400 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Serum samples were collected before starting pFSH administration (150-300 IU/day). VEGF levels in serum were measured. No statistically significant difference was found between the serum VEGF levels of patients who developed moderate forms of OHSS and women without any symptoms of the syndrome. Further, serum VEGF concentrations were not significantly correlated with the age of the patients, the number of international units of FSH administered during the cycle of stimulation, the follicle and oocyte numbers counted on the day of the egg retrieval or estradiol levels detected on the same day. This study demonstrates that serum VEGF levels, before starting gonadotropin treatment, are not predictive of the subsequent development of moderate forms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

The effect of intraventricularly administered GnRH on plasma beta-endorphin levels of the rat.

This study investigates the effects of intraventricularly administered gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on plasma beta-endorphin levels in female proestrous rats. Adult female Wistar rats (220-250 g) were implanted with an indwelling cannula in the third ventricle. Approximately 20 days later, the animals which had established a regular 4-day cycle were implanted with two indwelling catheters, one intracarotid and one intrajugular, on the morning of proestrus. A single injection of 100 ng GnRH dissolved in 5 microliters distilled water or 5 microliters of saline (control) was infused slowly through the cannula in the third ventricle. Blood was withdrawn via the intracarotid catheter just before the infusion (12.30 h) and at 14.00, 15.30, 16.30 and 17.30 h for the determination of plasma beta-endorphin levels. The results indicated that intracerebroventricular infusion of GnRH causes a significant decline of plasma beta-endorphin levels at all time points. It is postulated that GnRH possibly causes desensitization of GnRH receptors, due to the continuous GnRH supply to the pituitary via the blood circulation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Changes in vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women enrolled in an in vitro fertilization program.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate plasma and follicular fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation to establish the possible role of this growth factor as a predictive marker of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). DESIGN: Prospective observational study. SETTING: University hospital infertility unit. PATIENT(S): Fifteen women at risk of OHSS and 15 controls. INTERVENTION(S): An IM injection of hCG was administered; plasma and follicular fluid samples were collected 34-38 hours after administration of hCG. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): VEGF levels in plasma and in follicular fluid. RESULT(S): VEGF levels increased after hCG administration in the patients at risk of developing OHSS and in those who developed OHSS. Further, on the day of the oocyte retrieval the increase in the VEGF levels in the plasma of the patients who developed OHSS was statistically significant compared with the increase in the levels in the women who did not. On the same day, the levels of VEGF in follicular fluid were 10 times greater than those in plasma. CONCLUSION(S): Plasma levels of VEGF peak after hCG administration and are related to the risk of developing OHSS.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Semen preparation by standard swim-up versus swim-up with test yolk buffer incubation in intrauterine insemination: a randomized study.

In order to compare the standard swim-up semen preparation with and without test yolk buffer (TYB) incubation in intrauterine insemination (IUI), we conducted a prospective multicentre randomized trial. A total of 121 infertile couples with male factor (n = 52) or unexplained infertility (n = 69) was randomly assigned to two groups following ovulation induction. Semen was prepared by standard swim-up in group A (n = 64) and by swim-up followed by TYB incubation in group B (n = 57). A maximum of two IUI cycles was performed. A total of 104 cycles was performed in the swim-up group and 90 in the TYB group. Overall, 15 pregnancies were achieved in group A and 23 in group B, with an overall pregnancy rate of 24.8 and 50.0% per patient respectively (chi2(1), P < 0.05). In the male factor group, pregnancy was achieved in six out of 24 couples (25%) following standard swim-up and in six out of 28 (21.4%) following swim-up and TYB incubation (chi2(1), not significant). In the unexplained infertility group, pregnancy was recorded in nine out of 40 couples (22.5%) following standard swim-up and in 17 out of 29 couples (58.6%) following swim-up and TYB incubation (chi2(1), P < 0.05).

Female↗
PubMed1998

Correlation between the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone administered and plasma and follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor concentrations in women undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a powerful mediator for vessel permeability and it is strongly implicated in angiogenesis, stimulating endothelial cell proliferation as well as capillary permeability. We studied 30 women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs and evaluated, on the day of oocyte retrieval, VEGF levels in plasma and follicular fluid and related such concentrations to the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) administered. Furthermore, the correlation between the number of oocytes retrieved and the VEGF concentrations both in plasma and in follicular fluid were also investigated. Results indicate that follicular fluid VEGF concentrations and the amount of pure FSH administered were directly proportional (p < 0.05). On the day of oocyte retrieval, the VEGF plasma concentrations and the number of oocytes collected were directly proportional (p < 0.05). VEGF plasma levels increased after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration (30.37 +/- 18.60 pg/ml up to 52.62 +/- 43.63 pg/ml). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the doses of pure FSH administered to women undergoing IVF cycles have a crucial role in hCG-dependent VEGF production.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗
PubMed1997

Fertility drugs and ovarian cancer.

Recent case reports of ovarian cancer associated with infertility treatment raise the question of a possible etiopathogenetic role of fertility drugs in ovarian cancer. In this paper, the possible relationship between infertility treatment and ovarian cancer is reviewed with respect to the epidemiological and pathogenetic profiles of ovarian cancer and the potential risk factors associated with fertility drugs; a case report review and a critical reappraisal are also provided within this article. Currently available data in the literature, from epidemiological studies and case reports, suggest that a direct causal effect of infertility treatment on ovarian cancer seems unlikely. Since infertile women are likely to have a higher risk for the development of ovarian cancer, and the role of fertility drugs in the etiopathogenesis of ovarian carcinoma is not established, a close clinical examination of infertile patients before, during and after infertility treatment is recommended. Moreover, further investigation is required to resolve the question of the possible association between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer through large prospective epidemiological or retrospective case-control studies.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Interrelationships between follicle stimulating hormone and the growth hormone--insulin-like growth factor--IGF-binding proteins axes in human granulosa cells in culture.

As it has been hypothesized that IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) may have a role as autocrine/paracrine factors in regulating the local actions of the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the ovary, we studied the production of the IGFBPs by human granulosa cells (GC) in culture and the role of IGFBP-3 in the modulation of ovarian cell responsiveness to IGF-I and FSH. To this purpose, human luteinizing GC were cultured in serum-free conditions for 24 h and subsequently submitted to increasing concentrations (2-8 nmol/l) of recombinant non-glycosylated or partially glycosylated IGF-BP-3 for 48 h, in the presence or absence of IGF-I, des(1-3)IGF-I- a truncated analog of human IGF-I with markedly reduced binding ability to IGFBPs - and FSH (5-20 mIU/ml). The results demonstrate that human GC release IGFBP-1-2 and -3 into the medium, and that FSH is able to inhibit this release, while GH is clearly inhibitory on IGFBP-1 and stimulatory on IGFBP-3. Both IGF-I and des(1-3)IGF-I significantly (p < 0.001) stimulate E2 production by human GC in culture in a manner comparable to that of FSH in the dose range used. Preincubation for 2 h at 22 C with IGFBP-3, to allow the formation of the IGF-IGFBP complex, drastically reduced the stimulatory effect of IGF-I but not that of des(1-3)IGF-I. IGFBP-3 was also able to inhibit the stimulatory effect of FSH. These data show that: i) the IGF peptide is less active when bound to IGFBP-3; ii) as IGFBP-3 does not affect the potency of des(1-3)IGF-I, its inhibitory action is exerted upstream of the membrane receptor binding; iii) as the action of IGFBP-3 is exerted by binding the IGF peptide, its inhibitory effect on FSH points out the role of the locally produced IGF-II in potentiating the FSH action on human GC.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Color Doppler hysterosalpingography in the diagnosis of tubal patency.

OBJECTIVE: To assess tubal patency by color Doppler hysterosalpingography (HSG). DESIGN: Comparative study of color Doppler HSG with roentgenogram HSG and chromolaparoscopy in infertile women of childbearing age. SETTING: Clinical environment. PATIENTS: Sixty female patients (22 to 39 years) with long-lasting infertility problems. INTERVENTION: Sterile saline was transcervically injected into the uterine cavity through a catheter and color Doppler HSG was performed. All the patients were submitted to roentgenogram HSG and chromolaparoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diagnostic efficacy of color Doppler HSG and its concordance with "gold standard" chromolaparoscopy were analyzed. RESULTS: Correlation between color Doppler HSG and roentgenogram HSG with chromolaparoscopy occurred in 86% versus 93% of all women studied. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler HSG with its accuracy and safety results a promising alternative technique to roentgenogram HSG in diagnosing tubal status in infertile patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein: origins and possible functions.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone-binding protein (CRFBP) is a 37-kD protein of 322 amino acids, containing one putative N-glycosylation site and 11 cysteines, 10 of which remain in the mature molecule (298 amino acids) and result essential for the action. CRFBP protein gene has been cloned and mapped to the distal region of chromosome 13 and loci5q in the mouse and human genomes. CRFBP is the only example of a neuropeptide-binding protein. It is produced in human and rat brain, and in human liver and placenta. In brain, the central distribution of CRFBP shares some regional overlap with CRF receptor-bindings sites. Additionally, in hypothalamic and limbic structures, CRFBP has been identified in association with CRF-expressing cell groups. CRFBP has been also demonstrated in the human placenta and related membranes. Indeed, amniotic epithelium, chorionic cytotrophoblast, and maternal decidua also show intense positive CRFBP mRNA signals. Circulating CRFBP levels in healthy nonpregnant individuals show the same range values as in maternal plasma collected during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. A rise in CRFBP levels at 30-35 weeks of pregnancy with a dramatic decrease at 38-40 weeks have been shown. At postpartum, CRFBP levels in maternal plasma reach the nonpregnant concentrations. Recombinant and native CRFBP neutralize the ACTH-releasing activity of human CRF in cultured pituitary or placental cells and, additionally, may block the activity of CRF on human pregnant endometrium prostaglandin release and on human myometrium contractility in vitro. These findings suggest that CRFBP may play a role in modulating the functions of CRF in human pregnancy.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1996

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone-induced GH response in hypothalamic amenorrhea: evidence of altered central neuromodulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the GH-releasing hormone (GH-RH)-induced response of GH in patients affected by hypothalamic amenorrhea. DESIGN: Patients affected by weight-loss-related hypothalamic amenorrhea (n = 28) were studied and compared with 20 healthy controls. Among patients with weight-loss amenorrhea, both hypogonadotropic and normogonadotropic conditions were present. All subjects underwent a GH-RH test (GEREF, Sereno, Rome, Italy) (1 microgram/kg body weight IV). Plasma GH concentrations were determined using commercially available RIAs. Also, in selected samples insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels were measured. RESULTS: Basal plasma IGF-I levels as well as body mass index (BMI) were lower in amenorrheic patients than in healthy controls. No significant correlation was found between BMI and IGF-I or E2 plasma levels or between LH and IGF-I plasma levels. The basal GH plasma levels were comparable in all groups of subjects. The GH-RH--induced GH response evaluated as maximal release and as area under the curve (AUC) was higher in amenorrheic patients than in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The amenorrheic condition associated with reduced BMI changes the GH-RH--induced GH response in hypothalamic amenorrhea, supporting a GH and a IGF-I disregulation in weight-loss--related amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea↗