Preeclampsia is a systemic disease of pregnancy characterized by maternal hypertension, proteinuria, and edema. These clinical pathological findings may be attributed to abnormalities in vascular endothelial activation secondary to increased oxidative stress. To test the hypothesis that increased circulating lipid peroxides in preeclamptic women activate vascular endothelial cells, we determined NF-kappaB transcriptional activity and ICAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) cultured with plasma from women with severe preeclampsia (preeclamptic plasma, N = 12) or plasma from normal pregnancies (normal plasma, N = 12). Preeclamptic women had increased circulating lipid peroxides compared with normal pregnant women, as demonstrated by a 4.5-fold higher concentration of plasma malondialdehyde (PkB luciferase reporter construct transfected into HUVEC, preeclamptic plasma was found to up-regulate HUVEC NF-kappaB activity by 2.5-fold when compared with normal plasma (PkB activation in response to preeclamptic-plasma by 77% (PkB activation and ICAM-1 expression on HUVEC, which can be inhibited by vitamin E and N-acetyl-cysteine.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1996

The expression of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-1 receptor type I mRNA during preimplantation mouse development.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays an important role in implantation of the early embryo since blockade of the IL-1 receptor prevents implantation in the mouse. Whether IL-1 blockade during implantation has a direct effect on the embryo or only the uterus is unknown since reliable data are not available concerning the expression of IL-1 or IL-1 receptor on the preimplantation embryo. Because of the significant role for IL-1 in implantation, we investigated the potential for an embryonic-maternal IL-1 signaling mechanism during mouse preimplantation embryo development. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1R) on mRNA isolated from mouse preimplantation embryos and uteri collected between the 2-cell to blastocyst stage. Preimplantation embryos have the capability to produce IL-1 beta after the 4-cell stage of development since IL-1 beta mRNA was detected from the 4-cell to blastocyst stage but not at the 2-cell stage. Unlike IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha was not expressed in preimplantation embryos. It is unlikely that IL-1 has a direct effect on the preimplantation embryo since IL-1R mRNA was not expressed in preimplantation embryos. In contrast, IL-1 could have a direct effect on the uterus since IL-1R mRNA was found to be expressed in uteri at all developmental time points. Our findings suggest that there is a potential embryonic-maternal IL-1 signaling mechanism through the expression of IL-1 beta by the preimplantation embryo and the expression of IL-1R in the uterus.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

The expression of stem cell factor and its receptor, c-kit in human endometrium and placental tissues during pregnancy.

Stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor Kit regulate the proliferation and survival of early hematopoietic cell types as well as germ cells and melanocytes. As SCF augments the effects of several hematopoietic growth factors that are produced in reproductive tissues during pregnancy and also plays an important role in cell migration, proliferation, and survival, we studied the expression and localization of this receptor/ligand in human endometrial and placental tissues. Kit was detected by Western blot analysis in early decidual and placental tissues (8-19 weeks gestation) and in term placenta. Immunohistochemistry localized Kit mainly in trophoblast and to a lesser extent in scattered cells in the placental villous core and decidual stroma. Ribonuclease protection assay showed that SCF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression increased 3-fold in decidua from early pregnancy compared to proliferative and secretory endometrium (P < 0.05). Placental tissues expressed 4- to 8-fold higher levels of SCF mRNA compared to decidus (P < 0.05). Isolated placental villous core expressed 7-fold higher levels of SCF mRNA than did trophoblast (P < 0.05). Thus, SCF and its receptor Kit are expressed in human endometrium and placental tissues during pregnancy, and the pattern of receptor/ligand expression suggests that endometrial and placental villous core SCF may have a paracrine effect on trophoblast through the receptor Kit.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Laparoscopic adnexectomy: a comparison with laparotomy.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to compare the newer technique of laparoscopic adnexal excision with conventional laparotomy. DESIGN: With the same entry criteria, a retrospective, consecutive series of 26 women who underwent adnexectomy by laparotomy was compared with a later prospective consecutive series of 64 women who had laparoscopic adnexectomy in a university referral practice. The two groups were similar in all characteristics examined. The ages of the women ranged from 18 to 70 years, but only two women were postmenopausal. Pelvic pain with or without an ovarian cystic mass was the surgical indication in 91% to 92% of the women. Seven women had a persistent adnexal cystic mass and one woman had a unilateral androgen-secreting ovary. Bipolar coagulation was the laparoscopic method used. RESULTS: Median operating time (88 vs 107 minutes), blood loss (72 vs 222 ml), days in the hospital (1 day vs 3 days), total costs ($4573 vs $6044), and recovery time (1 week vs 4 weeks) were significantly less with laparoscopic adnexectomy. There were no differences between the two techniques in major complications (one in each group), blood transfusions, adhesion formation, or the proportion of women noting improvement of pain symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this preliminary assessment of laparoscopic adnexectomy, this surgical procedure offers significant advantages to laparotomy in selected patients when performed by a laparoscopist experienced in advanced techniques.

Adnexa Uteri↗

PubMed1987

Sudden death caused by hydatid embolism.

An 18-year-old man died on the spot during a foot race. Previously, he had been in a healthy condition. Since the cause of his sudden death was unknown, a forensic autopsy was carried out. The autopsy revealed hydatid cysts in the right ventricle of the heart some of which had embolized the pulmonary arteries. In case of sudden death in endemic areas the possibility of a hydatid disease should be taken into consideration.

Adolescent↗