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Healthy Pregnant Women (healthy + pregnant_woman)
Selected AbstractsEffect of maternal fasting on uterine arterial blood flowJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 2 2007Hisham M. Mirghani Abstract Aim:, To determine the effect maternal diet pattern on the uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry. Methods:, This is a cross-sectional observational study. The uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry was measured between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation in healthy pregnant women observing Ramadan. For each fasting mother, a non-fasting healthy pregnant woman was recruited as a control. Maternal blood glucose level was measured. Results:, A total of 106 pregnant women were studied. The mean hours since last oral intake were significantly longer, and the maternal glucose level was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group. The Mean (95% CI) of the uterine artery pulsatility index, resistance index, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity and systolic/diastolic ratio was similar in both groups. Conclusion:, Maternal fasting is not associated with significant changes in the uterine artery Doppler flow velocimetry. [source] Urinary excretion of inositol phosphoglycan P-type in gestational diabetes mellitusDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2007M. Scioscia Abstract Objective The mechanisms underlying insulin resistance during normal pregnancy, and its further exacerbation in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), are generally unknown. Inositolphosphoglycan P-type (P-IPG), a putative second messenger of insulin, correlates with the degree of insulin resistance in diabetic subjects. An increase during normal pregnancy, in maternal and fetal compartments, has recently been reported. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 48 women with GDM and 23 healthy pregnant women. Urinary levels of P-IPG were assessed spectrophotometrically by the activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase in urinary specimens and correlated with clinical parameters. Results Urinary excretion of P-IPG was higher in GDM than in control women (312.1 ± 151.0 vs. 210.6 ± 82.7 nmol NADH/min/mg creatinine, P < 0.01) with values increasing throughout pregnancy in control subjects (r2 = 0.34, P < 0.01). P-IPG correlated with blood glucose levels (r2 = 0.39, P < 0.01 for postprandial glycaemia and r2 = 0.18 P < 0.01 for mean glycaemia) and birthweight in the diabetic group (r2 = 0.14, P < 0.01). Conclusions Increased P-IPG urinary excretion occurs in GDM and positively correlates with blood glucose levels. P-IPG may play a role in maternal glycaemic control and, possibly, fetal growth in GDM. [source] Gestational diabetes affects platelet behaviour through modified oxidative radical metabolismDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2004L. Mazzanti Abstract Aims Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus show altered platelet function including decreased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and increased peroxynitrite production. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a clinical condition which is ideal for evaluating short-term effects of impaired glucose metabolism, ruling out the possibility that the platelet abnormalities are a consequence of diabetic complications. The aim of the present work was to study NO metabolism in platelets from pregnant women with GDM. The production of peroxides was also studied as it is strongly involved in peroxynitrite formation. Methods Platelet NOS activity and peroxynitrite production, levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in platelet membranes in the basal state and after in vitro peroxidative stress with phenylhydrazine were determined in 40 pregnant women with GDM, 40 healthy pregnant women (pregnant controls) of comparable age and gestational age, and 15 healthy non-pregnant women (controls). Results NOS activity was significantly increased in both groups of pregnant women compared with non-pregnant ones, and in GDM women compared with pregnant controls. Production of peroxynitrite was higher in GDM women than in pregnant controls, who also had significantly reduced production compared with non-pregnant women. Basal levels of peroxidation of the platelet membranes evaluated either by hydroperoxide content and TBARS levels or the susceptibility to peroxidation were increased in GDM patients in comparison with both control groups. Conclusions We have shown a modification in platelet NO and peroxynitrite production and an increase in platelet indicators of oxidative stress in GDM women compared with healthy pregnant women which might be at the basis of a cellular dysfunction. [source] Doppler sonographic characteristics of umbilical and uterine arteries during oral glucose tolerance testing in healthy pregnant womenJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 9 2003Yariv Yogev MD Abstract Purpose Studies have shown that maternal hyperglycemia may be associated with increased placental resistance to blood flow and possibly adverse perinatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine whether Doppler velocimetric dynamics change in the uterine and umbilical arteries in healthy pregnant women (without gestational diabetes) during acute hyperglycemia induced by oral glucose tolerance testing. Methods Flow in the umbilical and right and left uterine arteries was assessed by spectral Doppler sonographic examination of healthy pregnant women at 24,28 weeks' menstrual age. Four Doppler studies were conducted for each woman: 1 before oral administration of 100 g of glucose and 3 more at 1, 2, and 3 hours after glucose administration. The systolic-to-diastolic ratio was calculated for the umbilical artery, and the resistance index was calculated separately for the left and right uterine arteries. Results All results of oral glucose tolerance testing were normal, and Doppler signals were obtained in all 30 patients enrolled. No abnormal systolic-to-diastolic ratios or resistance indices were detected in any of the examinations. No significant differences in waveforms or resistance indices between the right and left uterine arteries were found during the various testing intervals. Conclusions Acute hyperglycemia induced in healthy pregnant women does not affect blood flow velocimetric characteristics in the umbilical or uterine arteries at any stage of oral glucose tolerance testing. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 31:461,464, 2003 [source] Doppler velocimetry of maternal renal circulation in pregnancy-induced hypertensionJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 8 2001Hidehiko Miyake MD Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the Doppler waveforms of the maternal main renal, segmental, and interlobar arteries are altered in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) compared with healthy pregnant women. Methods Flow waveforms of the maternal main renal, segmental, and interlobar arteries were obtained from 42 healthy pregnant women between 24 and 41 weeks of gestation and 21 women with PIH between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation using pulsed Doppler sonography. We used spectral analysis to measure the peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities and the acceleration time. The presence or absence of the normal early systolic compliance peak-reflective-wave complex (ESP) was assessed in only the main renal artery. Results The acceleration times of the segmental and interlobar arteries were significantly prolonged in the PIH group compared with those in the healthy pregnant women. Of the 21 women with PIH, 3 showed loss of the ESP in the renal artery, but these changes were not significant. Conclusions Decreased systolic acceleration and the absence of ESP, the hemodynamic indicators for significant proximal stenosis, suggest that severe stenosis or continuous vasospasm in the proximal arteries, such as the main renal or segmental artery, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of PIH. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:449,455, 2001. [source] Maternal circulating interferon-, and interleukin-6 as biomarkers of Th1/Th2 immune status throughout pregnancyJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2008Aziz Aris Abstract Aim:, T cells may be classified as T helper type 1 (Th1) cells, which synthesize cytokines inducing cellular immunity, or T helper type 2 (Th2), which synthesize cytokines inducing humoral immunity. According to the Th1/Th2 paradigm, it has been postulated that successful pregnancy induces an immune Th2 bias, but it is not yet clear how Th1 and Th2 systems vary simultaneously throughout the pregnancy. Methods:, Using maternal circulating interferon-, (IFN-,) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as biomarkers of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, respectively, we examined the variation of circulating Th1/Th2 ratio in 35 healthy pregnant women from 10 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. Results:, With increasing gestational age, maternal circulating levels of IFN-, decrease, whereas those of IL-6 increase. The IFN-,/IL-6 ratio switches around the 19th week of pregnancy. Conclusions:, Our results suggest that maternal systemic IFN-, and IL-6 concentrations may be biomarkers of Th1/Th2 immune status during pregnancy. Moreover, our findings showed that contrary to the Th1/Th2 paradigm, the Th1 bias may be prevailing at the beginning of pregnancy, balanced in the middle of pregnancy and supplanted by the Th2 bias at the end of pregnancy. [source] Comparison of maternal and cord blood nucleated red blood cell count between pre-eclamptic and healthy womenJOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 3 2007Bibi Shahnaz Aali Abstract Aim:, The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pre-eclampsia on the cord and maternal nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) count. Methods:, Immediately after delivery, 1 mL of maternal venous blood and 1 mL of cord blood from 50 pre-eclamptic and 150 healthy pregnant women were collected separately in tubes containing 1.5 mg ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid. Blood smears were prepared and stained using the Giemsa method. The number of NRBC per 100 leukocytes in maternal and cord blood was counted and compared between the two groups using SPSS software package for Windows. Any correlation of the NRBC count in maternal and umbilical cord blood was also evaluated. P -values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results:, The mean (±SD) NRBC per 100 white blood cell (WBC) level in cord blood of newborns in the pre-eclamptic group (18.2 ± 31.8, range 0,142) was significantly greater than in the control group (6.2 ± 8.1, range 0,36). Low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction showed a statistically significant relationship with abnormal NRBC count in pre-eclamptic patients. A significant correlation was found between the maternal and cord blood NRBC count in the pre-eclamptic group. Conclusion:, Fetal response to utero,placental insufficiency in pre-eclampsia leads to elevated NRBC in the cord blood, particularly in the presence of low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction. The positive correlation between maternal and cord blood NRBC counts in pre-eclamptic patients indicates that maybe the hypoperfused placenta plays a role in the correlated alteration of the maternal and fetal NRBC count. [source] The influence of common gene variants of the xenobiotic receptor (PXR) in genetic susceptibility to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2010G. CASTAÑO Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 583,592 Summary Background, The xenobiotic nuclear pregnane X receptor is implicated in many physiological pathways and diseases, including bile acid detoxification and cholestasis. Aim, To estimate the contribution of common gene variants of the xenobiotic receptor (pregnane X receptor, PXR) to genetic susceptibility to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Methods, A total of 101 intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients and 171 healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of their pregnancies were included. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs12488820 C/T, rs2472671 C/T, rs2461823 A/G, and rs1054191 A/G) encompassing 36 kb in chromosome 3, with a minor allele frequency ,0.10 and representing 33 polymorphic sites were genotyped. Besides these, three additional SNPs (rs3814057, rs6785049, and rs7643645) were included because they showed previous evidence of functionality. Results, Genotypic test for single SNPs showed that rs2461823 genotypes were significantly associated with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (P < 0.0069), OR per G allele: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.01,2.05, P < 0.042. The Cochran-Armitage test for trend and the allelic test showed a significant association with disease status (P < 0.04 and 0.03 respectively), G being the risk allele. A positive association between rs2461823 and ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations was observed. Neonate birth weight adjusted by the Capurro index was significantly associated with rs2461823 (P < 0.05); the proportion of the total variation attributed to rs2461823 genotypes was 7.8%. Conclusion, Common PXR polymorphisms may contribute to the genetic susceptibility to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. [source] Influence of maternal carbohydrate intake on fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestationPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 2 2003Israel Goldstein Abstract Objective Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation before and after maternal oral intake of carbohydrate. Design Thirty consecutive healthy pregnant women between 14 and 16 weeks of gestation were scanned transvaginally. Real-time ultrasound recordings of 20 min duration were performed in the fasting state and after an oral intake of 110 g of glucose. The number of fetal movements, body and limb movements and breathing movements were evaluated. Fetal movements were quantified using a digital chronometer, and the percentage of time spent moving and the rate of movements per minute were then calculated. Data was statistically analyzed using the simple and Wilcoxon paired t -test. Results Absolute number of fetal movements, body movements, rotation movements, time spent moving and rate of movements per minute showed a statistically significant increase after maternal intake of carbohydrate (p < 0.0001). Conclusions Maternal oral intake of 110 g of carbohydrate significantly increases fetal movements at 14 to 16 weeks of gestation, thus allowing better ultrasonographic viewing of the fetus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta1 Gene Polymorphisms in Korean Patients with Pre-eclampsiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010Shin Young Kim Citation Kim SY, Lim JH, Park SY, Yang JH, Kim MY, Kim MH, Ryu HM. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-,1) gene polymorphisms in Korean patients with pre-eclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 291,298 Problem, The aim of this study was to investigate whether c.869T>C (Leu10Pro) and c.915G>C (Arg25Pro) polymorphisms in exon1 of the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-,1) gene are associated with development of pre-eclampsia (PE) in Korean women. Method of study, We analyzed blood samples from 164 patients with PE and 182 healthy pregnant women using the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Results, The frequencies of the 869CC and combined TC/CC genotypes were higher in patients with PE than in healthy controls. In the PE with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), the frequencies of these genotypes were also higher than that in controls. Furthermore, the 869C allele frequency was significantly higher in both PE and IUGR-complicated PE than in controls. Multivariate analysis showed that the 869TC, CC, and combined TC/CC genotypes were associated with an increased risk of PE compared with the 869TT genotype. In addition, the 869TC, CC, and combined TC/CC genotypes were significantly associated with an increased risk of IUGR-complicated PE compared with the 869TT genotype. The TGF-,1 c.915G>C polymorphism was not detected in our population. Conclusion, Our findings indicate that the TGF-,1 c.869T>C polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for PE and IUGR-complicated PE. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Role of Inflammatory Cytokines and eNOS Gene Polymorphism in Pathophysiology of Pre-EclampsiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Archana Singh Citation Singh A, Sharma D, Raghunandan C, Bhattacharjee J. Role of inflammatory cytokines and eNOS gene polymorphism in pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2010; 63: 244,251 Problem, Pre-eclampsia involves endothelial vascular dysfunction. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that (i) endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase Glu298Asp gene polymorphism limits constitutive NO production causing endothelial dysfunction and (ii) inflammatory cytokines impairs endothelium dependent relaxation in pre-eclampsia. Method of study, This cross-sectional study included 50 women with pre-eclampsia and 50 healthy pregnant women. Their blood samples were analyzed for NO, inflammatory cytokines and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphism. Result, Decreased NO levels whereas increased tumor necrosis factor-,, interleukin (IL)-6 and interleukin-2 were found in pre-eclampsia (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in genotype/allele distribution between two groups. Significant negative correlation was observed between NO and IL-6 in pre-eclamptic group (P = 0.001). Conclusion, An IL-6-mediated endothelium dependent NO-cyclic guanine monophosphate-mediated relaxation pathway may be inhibited in systemic vessels in pre-eclampsia. As observed in this study Glu298Asp eNOS gene polymorphism did not showed significant association with pre-eclampsia. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Imbalance of T-cell Transcription Factors Contributes to the Th1 Type Immunity Predominant in Pre-eclampsiaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Zhou Jianjun Problem, Extensive studies have demonstrated that Th1 type immunity is predominant in pre-eclampsia, but there is little concern with regard to the intracellular mechanisms behind this initial T-cell polarization. In this study, we investigated whether the imbalance of the T-cell transcription factors contributes to it. Method of study, A total of 15 pre-eclamptic patients and 15 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this study. The expression levels of transcription factors for Th1 (T-bet), Th2 (GATA3), Th17 (RORc) and Treg (FOXP3) cells, together with the Th1/Th2 status, were simultaneously investigated in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and decidua. Results, The expression levels of FOXP3 mRNA were decreased in both PBMCs and decidua from pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy pregnant women (P < 0.05), and T-bet mRNA and RORc mRNA were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while Th1/Th2 balance shifted toward the Th1 immunity. Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between FOXP3 mRNA and Th1 cells (P < 0.05), and the expression level of T-bet mRNA correlated strongly with Th1 cells (P < 0.05). Conclusion, Decreased expression of FOXP3 mRNA and increased expression of T-bet mRNA may contribute to Th1 type immunity predominant in pre-eclampsia. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Human Serum Complement C3 and Factor H in the Syndrome of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet CountAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Elif Ari Problem, Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome (HELLP syndrome) is a life-threatening variant of severe pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. The complement system may play a role in the pathogenesis of this condition. We sought to determine serum complement 3 (C3) levels and its regulatory protein complement factor H (FH) in the HELLP syndrome. Method of study, Twenty-two pre-eclamptic patients with HELLP syndrome (mean age: 27.8 ± 6.2 years), 21 pre-eclamptic patients without HELLP syndrome (mean age: 27.5 ± 6.8 years) and 24 normotensive, healthy pregnant women (mean age: 26.1 ± 4.4 years) were included in this study. Serum concentrations of C3 and FH were measured in all participants. Results, Concentrations of C3 and FH did not differ significantly between the study groups. In patients with the HELLP syndrome, FH levels were positively associated with platelet count. Conclusion, These findings did not support a major role of complement activation in the HELLP syndrome. In patients with HELLP, lower levels of FH are correlated with a reduced platelet count. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Women with Pre-Eclampsia Have an Altered NKG2A and NKG2C Receptor Expression on Peripheral Blood Natural Killer CellsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Nora Bachmayer Problem, Preeclampsia, a pregnancy disorder, is associated with exaggerated inflammation and increased serum monokines. Uterine natural killer (NK) cells are implicated in preeclampsia pathology, but little is known regarding peripheral NK cells in the disease. Method of Study, We examined blood NK cells at delivery in women with preeclampsia, in healthy pregnant women and in healthy non-pregnant blood donors as a reference. Results, Although the percentages of both NKG2A- and NKG2C-positive NK cells were normal in preeclamptic women, the levels of NKG2A and NKG2C on NK cells were significantly up-regulated in these women. In vitro stimulation of PBMCs from healthy pregnant women and blood donors with monokines resulted in increased percentage of NKG2A+ NK cells and increased NKG2A levels, while levels of NKG2C were decreased. Conclusions, Our results suggest that the peripheral NK-cell pool is skewed in preeclampsia and possibly under the influence of monokines like interleukin (IL)-15 and IL-12. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor and Cytokine Profile in Women with Threatened Pre-Term DeliveryAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Igor Hudi Problem, The objective of this study was to compare serum concentrations of progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), anti-inflammatory (IL-10), and pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNF,, and IFN,) cytokines of women with threatened pre-term delivery, with those of women with normal pregnancy and to evaluate the impact of PIBF on the outcome of pregnancy. Method of study, A prospective study was conducted on a sample of 30 women with threatened pre-term delivery (study group) and 20 healthy pregnant women (control group) between the 24th and 37th gestational weeks. Serum PIBF, anti-inflammatory (IL-10), and pro-inflammatory (IL-6, TNF,, and IFN,) cytokine concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results, Thirteen of 30 patients (43.3%) with symptoms of threatened pre-term delivery, and one of 20 patients (5%) in the control group delivered before the 37th week of gestation. Mean PIBF concentrations in serum samples of patients with threatened pre-term delivery were significantly lower than in those of healthy pregnant women (171.12 ± 162.06 ng/mL versus 272.85 ± 114.87 ng/mL; P < 0.05). Women with symptoms of threatened pre-term delivery had significantly lower serum levels of IL-10, and higher levels of IL-6 as well as IFN, compared with healthy controls. Conclusion, Our results indicate that measuring PIBF and cytokine concentrations in serum during pregnancy is feasible and may be important for understanding immunological causes of pre-term delivery. [source] Variations in Cervical IL-10 and IL-8 Concentrations Throughout Gestation in Normal PregnanciesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Myriam Mondestin-Sorrentino Problem Data regarding cervical interleukin 18 (IL-8) and IL-10 concentrations during pregnancy is limited. Method of study This was a cross sectional study of healthy pregnant women. Specimens were collected from the cervical os secretions. IL-8 and IL-10 levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Median (range) cytokine concentrations were derived for each trimester and compared across trimesters. The relationship between gestational age and cytokine levels was assessed by regression analysis. The mean of the ratios of IL-8 to IL-10 was compared in each trimester using anova. Results The median (range) IL-8 concentrations in cervical secretions were in pg/mL: 1562 (1210,4100), 2460 (1047,4688), 3660 (1451,4748) (P < 0.0021); the median (range) IL-10 concentrations in cervical secretions were in pg/mL: 38.3 (6.8,227.9), 10.9 (0,263.3), 9.5 (0,35.6); the mean IL10/IL-8 × 100 (+/, standard deviation) concentrations were: 3.33 ± 0.65, 1.47 ± 0.41, 0.38 ± 0.52 (P = 0.0035) during the first, second and third trimesters, respectively. Conclusion The patterns of cervical IL-8 concentration is inversely related to gestational age, and the ratio of IL-10/IL-8 decreases with advancing gestation. [source] Changes in Cytokine Production During and After Normal PregnancyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2000YUKI SHIMAOKA PROBLEM: The systemic T helper 1/T helper 2 (Th1/Th2) cytokine balance during normal human pregnancy is controversial, and observations about the balance in the postpartum period have only been reported for up to 3 months. METHOD: Whole-blood, from 83 healthy pregnant women, 80 healthy postpartum women, and 31 healthy non-pregnant women was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The production of all measured cytokines decreased during pregnancy, especially in the second trimester. After delivery, interferon-, (IFN-,) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) increased from 2 to 11 months postpartum, and IL-4 increased from 6 to 11 months postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that 1) decreases in production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines during pregnancy may be related to the pregnancy-induced amelioration of autoimmune diseases; 2) increases in production of both Th1- and Th2-type cytokines in the postpartum period may be related to the postpartum aggravation of autoimmune diseases. [source] Fas Antigen Expression on the Decidual Lymphocytes of Pre-Eclamptic PatientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2000DOROTA DARMOCHWAL-KOLARZ PROBLEM: Apoptosis has been proposed as a mechanism for maintaining the homeostasis in the immune system. Activated lymphocytes are removed by a programmed cell death process Fas/FasL-mediated called activation induced cell death. The aim of the study was to investigate Fas antigen expression on decidual cells (T CD4+ lymphocytes, T CD8+ lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells) of pre-eclamptic patients and healthy pregnant women. METHOD OF STUDY: 12 pre-eclamptic patients and 10 healthy pregnant women were studied. Lymphocytes were isolated from decidual tissues mechanically, labeled by direct staining with monoclonal antibodies, and analyzed using the flow cytometric method. RESULTS: We found Fas antigen expression on decidual NK cells and T lymphocytes. CD 95 molecule expression and fluorescence intensity on NK cells of pre-eclamptic patients were lower when compared with controls (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that decidual NK cells and T lymphocytes are able to undergo Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis. It seems that NK cells' ability to undergo Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in pre-eclamptic patients can be altered because of lower CD95 molecule expression. [source] Birth outcomes in women who have taken leflunomide during pregnancyARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 5 2010Christina D. Chambers Objective In preclinical reproductive studies, leflunomide was found to be embryotoxic and teratogenic. Women treated with leflunomide are advised to avoid pregnancy; those who become pregnant are advised to reduce fetal exposure through a cholestyramine drug elimination procedure. The present study was undertaken to investigate pregnancy outcomes in women who received leflunomide and were treated with cholestyramine during pregnancy. Methods Sixty-four pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with leflunomide during pregnancy (95.3% of whom received cholestyramine), 108 pregnant women with RA not treated with leflunomide, and 78 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in a prospective cohort study between 1999 and 2009. Information was collected via interview of the mothers, review of medical records, and specialized physical examination of infants. Results There were no significant differences in the overall rate of major structural defects in the exposed group (3 of 56 live births [5.4%]) relative to either comparison group (each 4.2%)(P = 0.13). The rate was similar to the 3,4% expected in the general population. There was no specific pattern of major or minor anomalies. Infants in both the leflunomide-exposed and non,leflunomide-exposed RA groups were born smaller and earlier relative to infants of healthy mothers; however, after adjustment for confounding factors, there were no significant differences between the leflunomide-exposed and non,leflunomide-exposed RA groups. Conclusion Although the sample size is small, these data do not support the notion that there is a substantial increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes due to leflunomide exposure among women who undergo cholestyramine elimination procedure early in pregnancy. These findings can provide some reassurance to women who inadvertently become pregnant while taking leflunomide and undergo the washout procedure. [source] Changes in body image satisfaction during pregnancy: A comparison of high exercising and low exercising womenAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Nadia Boscaglia Abstract Objective: This study aimed to compare ratings of body image satisfaction (BIS) from 6 months prepregnancy to 23,30 weeks' gestation for high exercising and low exercising pregnant women. The authors also aimed to assess and compare expectations of BIS for the post-partum period in high and low exercising women. Design: A partial prospective approach was implemented. Sample: A total of 71 healthy pregnant women (40 high exercisers and 31 low exercisers) participated. Methods: Participants completed a series of questionnaires at 15,22 weeks' gestation and 23,30 weeks' gestation. Main outcome measures: There were two main outcome measures. At 15,22 weeks' gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the Body Cathexis Scale (BCS) (retrospective prepregnancy BIS and current BIS). At 23,30 weeks' gestation there was an exercise inventory and two versions of the BCS (current BIS and projected post-partum BIS). Results: ,At 15,22 weeks' gestation, high exercisers demonstrated significantly higher levels of BIS compared to low exercisers. There were no other significant differences between groups. Within groups, high exercisers were significantly more satisfied with their bodies at 15,22 weeks' gestation compared to 6 months prepregnancy, and expected to be less satisfied with their bodies at 6 weeks' post-partum than they were during pregnancy. Low exercisers demonstrated no significant changes over time. Conclusions: The findings suggest that women are able to assimilate the bodily changes of pregnancy without a negative shift in BIS. However, women who exercise during pregnancy may respond more favourably to changes in their bodies at early pregnancy compared to women who remain sedentary. [source] | ||||||||||