Biomedical subjects

J J Parrilla

Publications and source records attributed to J J Parrilla.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Contraception in the Spanish press: an analysis of the 1997-2002 period.

OBJECTIVE: Based on the hypothesis that the media represent an important source of information about contraceptive methods and sexuality, this paper reviews the news items about contraception published by four important Spanish newspapers and four women's magazines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All news items appearing from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2002 in the following publications: El País, El Mundo, ABC, La Vanguardia, Mía, Clara, Ragazza, and Epoca were collected during the first 6 months of 2003. Results Seven hundred and ten news items about contraception were identified during the period analysed, of which 117 (16.5%) had a negative character. CONCLUSIONS: Over 80% of news items appearing in the Spanish press in the 1997-2002 period give a positive information about contraceptive methods.

Bibliometrics↗

PubMed2005

Tamoxifen and endometrial cancer. Is screening necessary? A review of the literature.

Tamoxifen is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with anti-oestrogenic activity in the breast and oestrogenic effects in various tissues such as the endometrium, bone and cardiovascular territory. As adjuvant hormone therapy, it has a clear beneficial effect in patients with breast cancer, reducing relapses, contralateral breast cancer and mortality. Its most important secondary effect is a greater rate of occurrence of endometrial cancer. Although the risk/benefit ratio is clearly positive, the follow-up on these patients is still an issue. In women with metrorrhagia, it is clear that an endometrial sample must be obtained for histological examination and the best procedure today is hysteroscopic-directed biopsy. Nevertheless, the need to screen asymptomatic patients is not universally accepted. The vaginal ultrasound scan gives a great number of false positives. This entails more aggressive and more expensive procedures such as hysteroscopic-directed biopsy, meaning greater expense and more complications. As a result, the cost/benefit ratio is not very favourable. The rate of occurrence of endometrial cancer in 1026 tamoxifen-treated patients with breast cancer in our hospital between 1999 and 2001 was 1.25%. Two cases were diagnosed in asymptomatic patients. In this article, we analyse the literature on the need to screen patients on tamoxifen and about the most appropriate diagnostic protocol.

Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal↗

PubMed2004

Symmetrical fetal growth retardation after gestational cocaine exposure in the rat.

Cocaine use during pregnancy results in an increase in different maternal and perinatal complications. The fetal effects of cocaine could be mainly related to the disturbances in the brain development, microcephaly being the most common brain abnormality. The aim of this study was to analyze maternal outcome and fetal somatic effects of cocaine and to evaluate the hypothesis that maternal cocaine exposure would specifically impair fetal global brain development. Fifty-four timed-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were daily injected with 15 or 40 mg/kg per day from gestational day (GD) 1 or 8 and sacrificed at gestational day 20. By analyzing different maternal and fetal outcomes, it could be suggested that the cocaine exposure in pregnant rats decreased maternal weight gain without significant maternal mortality, did not affect the mean number of fetuses by litter, although notably increased stillbirths, reduced fetal birth weight, and reduced the fetal central nervous system weight. Present results are globally in agreement with the literature and underline a possible selective effect of cocaine on the fetal CNS resulting in symmetrical intrauterine fetal growth retardation in contrast to the asymmetrical retardation of undernutrition.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Spanish population at risk of unwanted pregnancy: results of a national survey.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a personal survey in 2218 Spanish women aged from 15 to 49 years to establish the contraceptive methods used by this population and to determine the number of Spanish women of childbearing age exposed to unwanted pregnancy. METHODS: Stratified random sampling was performed to select the women to be interviewed; this sampling design ensured adequate representation of the sample in Spain. RESULTS: At the time of the survey, 69.1% of the women were using some contraceptive method, but 5% of them used poorly effective contraceptive methods, and their exposure to the risk of an unwanted pregnancy was therefore high. Moreover, among the 30.9% not using any contraceptive method, 21.1% were at risk because they were having sexual intercourse, did not want to become pregnant and did not use a contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: A little over one million Spanish women are exposed to the risk of having an unwanted pregnancy. Compiling the data on this significant problem is the first step in designing appropriate solutions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Use of contraceptive methods in Spain: results of a national survey.

We conducted a personal interview of 2136 Spanish women aged 15 to 49 years with the aim of determining the contraceptive attitudes of this population. A stratified random sampling was performed to select the women who were to be interviewed, and this sampling design ensured adequate representation of the sample in Spain. At the time of the survey, only 1296 of the 2136 women used some type of contraceptive method (60.6%); the most commonly used method was the condom. The major reason given by the 840 women not using contraceptive methods was the absence of sexual intercourse. Nearly 25% of the Spanish women aged 15-49 years reported that they have no sexual relations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor on renal function in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the rabbit.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate renal function and whether captopril prevents alterations in the handling of sodium and water in the ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in the rabbit. DESIGN: Experimental study SETTING: Physiology laboratory. ANIMAL(S): Six female New Zealand white rabbits were used as controls, and 13 were hyperstimulated with gonadotropins. INTERVENTION(S): Saline or captopril. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Renal excretory and hemodynamic variables. RESULT(S): The 3% extracellular volume expansion in OHSS animals induced a significant elevation in mean arterial pressure by 27%, although increments in natriuresis and diuresis were similar to those observed in controls. The OHSS group had impaired pressure-natriuresis sensitivity compared with controls (0.36 +/- 0.07 microEq/min/g of Na excreted per mm Hg vs. 1.74 +/- 0.45 microEq/min/g of Na excreted per mm Hg; P<.05. Captopril significantly reduced mean arterial pressure (P<.05) and shifted the pressure-natriuresis response to the left by 0.85 +/- 0.17 microEq/min/g of Na excreted per mm Hg (P<.05). CONCLUSION(S): In OHSS in the rabbit model, pressure-natriuresis sensitivity is impaired. Angiotensin II may play a significant role in this phenomenon, since angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition normalized the pressure-natriuresis relationship.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

PubMed1998

Role of nitric oxide on the central hemodynamic response to acute volume expansion in the pregnant rat.

OBJECTIVES: Our hypothesis was that during pregnancy nitric oxide acts as mediator in the hemodynamic response to volume expansion. STUDY DESIGN: The study was performed on 12 rats on days 19 to 20 of pregnancy. Six rats were injected intravenously with hexamethonium bromide plus the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase L-nitro-arginine methyl ester. For a control group, six rats were injected with hexamethonium bromide plus the L-nitro-arginine methyl ester vehicle. A volume expansion (1.2% body weight) was performed in both groups by intravenous infusion of bovine albumin (6%) solution. RESULTS: In the control group volume expansion induced a hyperdynamic circulation characterized by increased cardiac output, decreased total vascular resistance, and no change in arterial pressure; however, in the study group volume expansion induced a pressor response without hyperdynamic circulation. CONCLUSION: During pregnancy volume expansion induces a hyperdynamic circulatory state possibly mediated by nitric oxide release. A defect in the release of nitric oxide may be responsible for an inadequate hemodynamic response to volume expansion.

Animals↗

PubMed1998

Increased chromosome abnormalities in human preimplantation embryos after in-vitro fertilization in patients with recurrent miscarriage.

Recurrent miscarriage is a pathological condition induced by maternal and embryonic causes. This paper describes a prospective study to determine the real incidence of aneuploidy for autosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, and gonosomes in preimplantation human embryos obtained from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss after ovarian stimulation in an IVF-ET programme. Our results indicate that aneuploidy for the chromosomes analysed are abnormally higher in embryos obtained after IVF from recurrent abortion patients (58%) compared to non-recurrent abortion patients undergoing IVF. Furthermore, monosomies are six times more frequent than trisomies (47:8) in preimplantation embryos from recurrent abortion patients. Based on the present study, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos obtained from patients with recurrent miscarriage could prove advantageous in diagnosing abnormal embryos and selecting normal embryos for transfer.

Abortion, Habitual↗

PubMed1996

Analysis of compliance with oral contraception in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to analyze factors related to compliance in oral hormonal contraception in Spain. METHOD: A review study and a multicenter analysis of experience of compliance by 300 doctors, by means of a questionnaire and discussion about the determinants of contraceptive use. RESULTS: Compliance is a major problem in Spain, being influenced mainly by side-effects, the general perception of the method and personal factors. The different factors involved in non-compliance in Spain were analyzed, with regard to the perspective of the professionals. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to improve compliance in Spain aim mainly at improving the general perception of the method and the accessibility of family planning centers. Factors associated with compliance are still not well known in our country. Better knowledge of the determinants of non-compliance in Spain is needed. For this purpose, another research group was formed to conduct a national study among women.

Contraception Behavior↗

PubMed1995

Non-surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy in the sole remaining tube.

We reported on three successive cases of intrauterine term pregnancy obtained in patients with an ectopic gestation in their solitary remaining tube who were treated by three different non-surgical conservative methods: parenteral methotrexate, local injection of methotrexate combined with systemic administration, and expectant management respectively. The opposite tube had been removed because of previous tubal ectopic pregnancy. The cases, which were at a high risk of repeated ectopic implantation, are unequivocal proof of intact function of a tube after conservative non-surgical procedures for ectopic pregnancy. Thus, our report adds further evidence favouring the feasibility, the safety and fertility potential of these procedures for selected unruptured tubal gestations.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

PubMed1988

Immunoradiometric studies with a monoclonal antibody against an estrogen-receptor-related protein in human breast cancer.

The concentration of P29, a phosphoprotein related to estradiol receptor (RE), was measured by an immunoradiometric assay in human breast cancer cytosol and the results compared with the levels of RE and progesterone receptors (RP), as measured by the classical ligand-binding assay. Good linear correlation was found between P29 and RE, but not RP. Tumors which were positive for both RE and RP had a higher P29 mean value than RE-negative, RP-negative tumors. Menopausal status of the patients influenced the result, since premenopausal women had lower mean concentrations or were P29-positive less frequently than postmenopausal women. RE-negative, RP-positive tumors tended to have positive P29 levels. The correlation between RE and P29 corroborates results obtained with other techniques and supports a role for P29 in predicting response to hormonal treatment.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1988

Effect of exogenous and endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormone on prolactin secretion in perimenopausal women.

Serum concentrations of PRL, LH and FSH were examined in 17 perimenopausal women with dysfunctional uterine bleeding (PDUB group), after stimulation with exogenous GnRH (a 100-micrograms i.v. bolus dose), and endogenous GnRH (as induced by an estrogen challenge test). Five normal cycling women during the follicular phase of the cycle were used as control (FP group). Exogenous GnRH induced increments in the concentration of PRL, FSH and LH in PDUB and FP women. Increases were statistically higher for FSH (p less than 0.001) and LH (p less than 0.01), but not for PRL, in the FP group. No significant correlation was found between LH-PRL or FSH-PRL in PDUB women. A positive correlation was found when the maximal LH percent change for each case was compared with the simultaneous PRL percent value (r = 0.83, p less than 0.001) during the estrogen test. We conclude that, as shown by previous studies in both hypogonadal and normal women, also in this perimenopausal model exogenous GnRH induces secretion of PRL, LH and FSH, and that a positive correlation exists between LH and PRL under the finely modulated stimulation of gonadotrophs by endogenous GnRH.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

Response to clomiphene citrate in the polycystic ovarian syndrome according to different LH/FSH ratios.

Twenty-nine clomiphene tests were carried out, 19 on subjects with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCO) who did not wish to conceive and 10 on women with correct ovarian function (control women). The intention was to determine if the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis varies according to different LH/FSH ratios. The results indicate that with repeated LH/FSH ratios of less than 3, the positive and negative feedback systems are preserved in most subjects, but when the ratio is higher than 3, both systems are significantly altered (P less than 0.01). In the control group, both systems were preserved in all subjects. In another group composed of 26 infertile patients with PCO, the rate of ovulation and pregnancy after administration of clomiphene citrate (CC) was correlated according to different LH/FSH ratios. A significant (P less than 0.0001) reduction in the rate of ovulation and a lesser reduction in pregnancy was found with increasing LH/FSH ratios. In conclusion we suggest that the LH/FSH ratio is a good marker of this syndrome, and can be used to give a prognosis on the severity of the syndrome, as well as the ovulatory capacity of the subject after administration of CC.

Adult↗

PubMed1986

Cytoplasmic and nuclear estrogen binding capacity in the rat uterus during treatment with danazol and testosterone.

Danazol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were tested as competitors for estrogen receptors on immature rat uterus cytosol. No competitive binding could be demonstrated for any of these steroids. After that, prepubertal Wistar rats were exposed to danazol, testosterone or propylene glycol (control) for 3 days or 17 days. After the appropriate exposure to medication, the animals were killed. Both danazol and testosterone appeared to be uterotropic after 3 days of treatment, although the increase in the uterine weight was significant only in the danazol-treated group (p less than 0.05). This effect was lost after 17 days of treatment. Estradiol receptor binding assays were done on the cytosolic and nuclear fractions of the homogenized uterine tissue of each group. The estrogen binding capacity of cytosols was increased in both the danazol (p less than 0.05) and the testosterone (p less than 0.01) groups after 3 days of treatment. A parallel increase was found in the nuclear fraction of both groups. After 17 days of treatment, the comparison between the 3 groups showed no differences in the cytosolic or nuclear estrogen binding capacity. The information provided by this study suggests that some effects of danazol may be due to an androgenic action and that may be associated to increases in the free fraction of testosterone.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

The positive feedback of estradiol on gonadotropin secretion in women with perimenopausal dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

The functionality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis was explored in 27 women with perimenopausal dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The positive feedback effect of estradiol on LH and FSH was studied by the estrogen challenge test, which was performed by a single i.m. injection of estradiol benzoate. An early decline of both LH and FSH was followed by an increase of LH, mainly due to the cases in which the estrogen test was positive. FSH remained low through the whole period tested. The results were compared with those found in 5 normal menstruating women. The frequency of positive estrogen tests, defined by an acute estradiol-induced discharge of LH, was lower in the perimenopausal patients (P less than 0.025). The results of the tests used in our study showed an impairment of the positive feedback system in the perimenopausal-dysfunctional-bleeding group.

Estradiol↗

PubMed1986

Relationship of maternal glycosylated hemoglobin and fetal beta-cell activity with birth weight.

A population of 40 mother-newborn pairs with a wide range of birth weight has been studied. Seventeen of the mothers were diabetic, while the other 23 were normal pregnant women. The chronic blood glucose levels were assessed in the mothers through the percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) at delivery. The functional activity of the pancreatic beta-cells in the newborns was estimated through the concentration of insulin and C-peptide in the cord blood. Maternal HbA1 was not quantitatively related to the birth weight ratio. In contrast, both insulin and C-peptide correlated significantly with it. Is is concluded that in populations with a good metabolic control, blood glucose levels, as measured by HbA1, are not the major determinant of fetal growth.

Birth Weight↗

PubMed1985

Metabolic disturbances during intravenous use of ritodrine: increased insulin levels and hypokalemia.

The role played by insulin and the adrenergic system in the development of hypokalemia due to intravenous ritodrine has been evaluated. Fifteen women presenting with premature labor (group 1) were treated with ritodrine infusion, whereas seven pregnant women not in labor (group 2) were given 100 g glucose per os to induce hyperinsulinemia without participation of ritodrine. Serum glucose, insulin, potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium were measured hourly. Whereas insulin levels were higher in group 2, potassium decreased markedly and significantly only in group 1. It is concluded that ritodrine-induced hypokalemia, that results partially from hyperinsulinemia, is mostly determined by other factors and is possibly a consequence of direct beta-adrenoceptor stimulation. Significant hypocalcemia of unexplained origin was observed with ritodrine.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Effects of intravenous ritodrine on lactate and pyruvate levels: role of glycemia and anaerobiosis.

The role of glycemia in ritodrine-induced hyperlactatemia was assessed by measuring lactate and pyruvate levels and studying glycemia in patients treated with intravenous ritodrine for premature labor. Lactate levels were increased moderately by ritodrine and paralleled the levels of glucose; a similar parallelism also was observed in the glucose-administration group. Pyruvate levels also changed in proportion to lactate levels in this latter group, whereas in patients given ritodrine, pyruvate changed little and the lactate/pyruvate ratio was increased. These findings are discussed in terms of possible metabolic and vasopressor consequences of beta-adrenergic stimulation, with emphasis on the potential roles of increased glycemia and anaerobiosis.

Anaerobiosis↗