Biomedical subjects

Shunji Suzuki

Publications and source records attributed to Shunji Suzuki.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Serum adenosine deaminase activity in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

BACKGROUND: Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity increases in diseases where cellular immunity is stimulated. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by enhanced cell-mediated immunity, serum ADA activity may be altered. The present study evaluated the relation between serum ADA activity and changes in cell-mediated immunity as causes of changes in ADA activity in hyperemesis gravidarum. METHODS: Serum activities of total ADA and its isoenzymes, ADA1 and ADA2, were measured in women with hyperemesis gravidarum (n = 24) and normal pregnancies (n = 24). Peripheral blood lymphocyte and monocyte counts were also measured. RESULTS: In hyperemesis gravidarum, serum total ADA and ADA2 activities averaged 16.8 +/- 0.5 and 13.3 +/- 0.7 U/l, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancies (10.2 +/- 0.5 and 7.8 +/- 0.5 U/l, respectively) (p < 0.05). The mean values for ADA1 activity in women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies were similar. The increase in total ADA activity was accompanied by the increase in lymphocyte and monocyte counts. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increased serum total ADA activity reflects increases in ADA2 activity, which may be at least in part attributed to enhanced cell-mediated immunity in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed2002

Relation between adenosine deaminase activities and cytokine-producing T cells in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relation between plasma adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and cytokine-producing T cells in preeclampsia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma ADA activity and the proportions of cytokine-producing T cells were measured in peripheral blood of 28 women with normal pregnancies and preeclampsia. The proportion of CD4-positive T cells producing interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Plasma ADA activity in preeclampsia was significantly higher than that in normal pregnancy (p < 0.05). In preeclampsia, the proportion of interferon-gamma producing cells significantly increased, and the proportion of interleukin-4 producing cells was significantly decreased compared with normal pregnancy. A significant correlation was found between ADA activity and the proportion of interferon-gamma producing cells in preeclampsia (r = 0.58, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased plasma ADA activity in preeclampsia may be in part associated with changes in the proportion of interferon-gamma secreting cells.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed2002

Relation between maternal serum adenosine deaminase and plasma adenosine levels in twin pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between adenosine deaminase activity and plasma adenosine was examined in non-pregnancy as well as in singleton and twin pregnancies. METHODS: Whole-blood samples were taken from 11 singleton and 11 dichorionic twin pregnant women during the third trimester. The plasma adenosine levels were assayed with a modified high-performance liquid chromatographic method, while the adenosine deaminase levels were measured enzymatically. RESULTS: The adenosine deaminase and plasma adenosine levels were both higher in twin pregnancies compared to singleton and non-pregnancies. CONCLUSION: Increased plasma adenosine is not due to decreased serum adenosine deaminase levels in twin pregnant women.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

Relation between adenosine and T-helper 1/T-helper 2 imbalance in women with preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between changes in plasma adenosine concentration and imbalances in the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in peripheral blood of women with preeclampsia. METHODS: Plasma adenosine concentrations and the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio were examined in the peripheral blood of 16 preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. The proportion of specific T-cell marker CD4-positive cells expressing intracellular cytokines, interferon-gamma derived from T-helper 1 and interleukin-4 derived from T-helper 2 cells, were analyzed by flow cytometry. The ratio of interferon-gamma secreting cells to interleukin-4 secreting cells was taken as the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in vivo. The effect of the adenosine-receptor blocker 8-sulfophenyltheophylline was also measured in vitro. RESULTS: Mean plasma adenosine concentration in preeclampsia was significantly higher than that in normal pregnancy (0.68 +/- 0.07 micromol/L versus 0.39 +/- 0.06 micromol/L, P <.05). The proportions of interferon-gamma secreting cells increased and interleukin-4 secreting cells decreased significantly in preeclampsia, and the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in preeclampsia was significantly higher than in normal pregnancy (18.1 +/- 2.6 versus 9.9 +/- 1.5, P <.05). The increase of the proportion of interferon-gamma secreting cells after adenosine receptor blockade in preeclampsia significantly exceeded that of normal pregnancy. The T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in preeclampsia was significantly greater than that in normal pregnancy (36% versus 17%, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Increased plasma adenosine may be involved in the regulation of imbalances in the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in women with preeclampsia.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

Relationship between adenosine deaminase activity and cytokine-secreting T cells in normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between plasma adenosine deaminase activity and the proportion of cytokine-secreting T cells as causes of changes in adenosine deaminase activity in normal pregnancy. METHODS: Plasma adenosine deaminase activity and the proportions of cytokine-secreting T cells were measured in the peripheral blood of 26 nonpregnant and normal pregnant women in the third trimester. The proportion of CD4-positive T cells secreting interferon-gamma derived from T helper 1 cells, and interleukin-4 derived from T helper 2 cells, were analyzed by flow cytometry. The ratio of interferon-gamma-secreting cells to interleukin-4-secreting cells was taken as the T helper 1/T helper 2 ratio. RESULTS: Mean plasma adenosine deaminase activity in normal pregnant women, averaged, was significantly lower than that in nonpregnant women (10.3 +/- 0.6 U/L versus 13.8 +/- 0.5 U/L, P <.05). In normal pregnant women, the proportion of interferon-gamma-secreting cells was significantly lower than that in nonpregnant women (20.5% +/- 1.0% versus 24.7% +/- 1.2%, P <.05), but the proportion of interleukin-4-secreting cells did not differ from that of nonpregnant women. Consequently, the T helper 1/T helper 2 ratios were significantly decreased during normal pregnancy. A significant correlation was found between adenosine deaminase activity and the proportion of interferon-gamma-secreting cells (r =.54, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Decreased plasma adenosine deaminase activity in normal pregnant women may be in part associated with changes in the immunological status, especially the decrease of the proportion of interferon-gamma-secreting cells.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed2002

Increased plasma adenosine concentrations and the severity of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between changes in plasma adenosine and the severity of preeclampsia, and norepinephrine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations. METHODS: Plasma concentrations of adenosine, norepinephrine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha relating to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia were measured in women with mild (n = 21) and severe (n = 21) preeclampsia and normal pregnancies (n = 21), matched for age, gestational age, and parity, in the third trimester of pregnancy. We then evaluated the relationships among plasma adenosine, norepinephrine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations, and the severity of preeclampsia. RESULTS: Mean plasma adenosine, norepinephrine, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations were significantly higher in women with mild and severe preeclampsia than in normal control subjects (P <.05). In women with preeclampsia, plasma adenosine concentrations increased according to the severity of preeclampsia (0.60 +/- 0.03 micromol/L and 0.72 +/- 0.03 micromol/L, respectively, versus 0.41 +/- 0.03 micromol/L for normal subjects), which correlated with increases of norepinephrine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations (r =.58, P <.05; r =.49, P <.05, respectively). In preeclampsia, norepinephrine concentration also correlated with maternal blood pressure (r =.50, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Adenosine is an established suppressor of the effects of norepinephrine and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The increased plasma concentrations of adenosine in preeclampsia might serve to counteract further progression of the complication.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2002

Plasma nitric oxide levels and the expression of P-selectin on platelets in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of plasma nitric oxide levels with the expression of P-selectin on platelets in preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate (the stable nitric oxide metabolites) and the expression of P-selectin on platelets (a platelet activation marker) were measured in 25 normal pregnant women and 25 women with preeclampsia. The effects of the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis on the expression of P-selectin also was measured in vitro. RESULTS: Plasma nitrate levels and the expression of P-selectin averaged 30.5 +/- 2.2 micromol/L and 8.9% +/- 1.1% (SEM), respectively, in preeclampsia, which was significantly higher than in normal pregnancy (P <.05). Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition in vitro significantly increased the expression of P-selectin in normal pregnancy by 284% (P <.05), which was significantly higher than in preeclampsia (156%, P <.05). CONCLUSION: The inhibitory effects of increased nitric oxide on the expression of P-selectin is attenuated in preeclampsia, which may contribute partly to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

The T-helper 1/T-helper 2 balance in peripheral blood of women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 balance and its relation with pregnancy-related hormones in hyperemesis gravidarum. STUDY DESIGN: The T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio and plasma progesterone and estrogen levels were examined in the peripheral blood of 22 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies. The proportion of CD4-positive cells that expressed intracellular cytokines (interferon gamma and interleukin-4) were analyzed by blood flow cytometry. The ratio of interferon gamma-secreting cells to interleukin-4-secreting cells was taken as the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio. RESULTS: In hyperemesis gravidarum, the proportions of interleukin-4-secreting cells increased, and the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio averaged 8.4 +/- 0.9, which was significantly lower than in normal pregnancy (11.6 +/- 1.1, P <.05). The changes in the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 ratio in hyperemesis gravidarum were accompanied by the elevation of progesterone and estrogen levels. CONCLUSION: A further shift of the T-helper 1/T-helper 2 balance to the T-helper 2 dominance in hyperemesis gravidarum may be related to the increase of progesterone and estrogen levels.

CD4 Lymphocyte Count↗

PubMed2002

Regulation of plasma adenosine levels in normal pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism of the regulation of plasma adenosine concentration [ADO] in normal pregnancy. We measured the activities of circulating enzymes that are involved in the production and metabolism of adenosine, and plasma [ADO] in nonpregnant (n = 14) and normal pregnant women (n = 14) in the third trimester. In pregnant women, the activity of plasma 5'-nucleotidase and plasma [ADO] were significantly elevated and plasma adenosine deaminase activity was significantly reduced. Enzymatic activities of both plasma enzymes appear to be changed in a way that would favor increased adenosine concentrations.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

PubMed2002

Maternal peripheral T-helper 1-type and T-helper 2-type immunity in nonpreeclamptic twin pregnancies.

The percentage of T-helper (Th)1, Th2 cells and the Th1:Th2 cell ratios in peripheral blood from 14 normal nonpregnant women, 23 normal pregnant women and 9 patients with twin pregnancies without preeclampsia at 28-32 weeks' gestation were calculated using flow cytometry. In normal pregnant women, the percentage of Th1 cells and Th1:Th2 ratios were significantly lower than those in nonpregnant women. In twin pregnancies, the percentage of Th1 cells and the Th1:Th2 ratios were significantly lower than those in non-pregnancies. In twin pregnancies; in addition, the percentage of Th1 cells was significantly lower than that in singleton pregnancies. Our findings show a markedly predominant Th2 immunity in twin pregnancies.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Serum adenosine deaminase activity in women with pre-eclampsia.

The present study investigated serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and the patterns of two ADA isoenzymes, ADA1 and ADA2, and to evaluate the possible role of cell-mediated immunity as causes of the changes in ADA activity in pre-eclampsia. We measured serum activities of total ADA, ADA1 and ADA2 in pre-eclampsia (n = 22) and normal pregnancy (n = 22). Peripheral blood monocyte counts and neopterin levels, reflecting the activation of the monocyte-macrophage cell system, were also measured. In pre-eclampsia, serum total ADA and ADA2 activities were significantly increased compared with normal pregnancy (p < 0.05), which were accompanied by increases in serum neopterin levels. These results suggest that increased total ADA activity reflects increases in ADA2 activity, which may be in part related to enhanced cell-mediated immunity during pre-eclampsia.

Adenosine Deaminase↗

PubMed2002

Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels in women with pre-eclampsia.

The present study investigated plasma activity of 5'-nucleotidase, a key enzyme in the production of adenosine, in pre-eclampsia, and evaluated the relationship between changes in 5'-nucleotidase activity, and levels of uric acid, endproduct of the purine metabolism, and the severity of pre-eclampsia. We measured plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels in women with 18 normal pregnancies, mild and severe pre-eclampsia. In mild and severe pre-eclampsia, plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels were significantly increased compared with those in normal pregnancy (p < 0.05). Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activity increased according to increases in uric acid levels and the severity of pre-eclampsia. These results suggest that increased plasma 5'-nucleotidase activity may, at least in part, be related to changes in purine metabolism in pre-eclampsia.

5'-Nucleotidase↗

PubMed2002

Primary ovarian tumor undergoing surgical management during pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative symptoms of patients with primary ovarian tumors undergoing surgery during pregnancy and non-pregnancy. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 71 pregnant patients who underwent surgery for primary ovarian tumors (pregnant) and 580 non-pregnant patients (non-pregnant) aged 15similar44 years old. In the non-pregnant group, 79.7% of the patients complained of abdominal pain at the first examination. However, in the pregnant group, 62.0% of the patients reported no symptoms and 31.0% of them reported abdominal pain (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of ovarian malignancies between the two groups (8.5% vs. 6.6%). However, the incidence of the advanced stage of greater-than-or-equal Ic in ovarian malignancies in the non-pregnant group was 42.1%, while it was 0% (p<0.05) in the pregnant group. Ovarian tumors including ovarian malignancies were significantly more frequently diagnosed with no symptoms in the pregnant group than in the non-pregnant group.

Adult↗