scholarly journals Antimicrobial peptides in pregnant women with TORCH infections

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-203
Author(s):  
G. V. Narimanova ◽  
I. D. Shakhverdieva ◽  
I. A. Kerimova ◽  
G. A. Jafarova

Introduction. Analysis for TORCH infections is ordered to simultaneously detect several common infections: Toxoplasmosis, Other infections (syphilis, hepatitis B, chickenpox, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus and some others), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus. Contracting a TORCH infection in pregnancy triggers the synthesis of immune factors including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs).Aim: to determine the levels of AMPs – lactoferrin, defensin, endotoxin, BPI (bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein) and hepcidin – in the blood serum of pregnant women with TORCH infections.Materials and methods. The main group included 40 pregnant women with TORCH infections; in 33 of those, pregnancy continued until full-term delivery, and 7 women had miscarriages at the end of the first trimester. The comparison group consisted of 29 pregnant women free of TORCH infections. Blood for AMP measurement was taken in all pregnant women in the first trimester and in women with an ongoing pregnancy also in the III trimester. The control group consisted of 19 healthy non-pregnant women. Serum AMP was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results. In pregnant women with TORCH infections, there was an increase in the serum levels of lactoferrin, defensin, hepcidin, BPI, and endotoxin; the increase was most pronounced in the first trimester of pregnancy. The decrease in AMP levels observed in the III trimester could be due to the antiviral treatment given to the patients in order to prevent the immunological rejection of the embryo and maintain the normal course of pregnancy.Conclusion. The increased level of AMPs reflects the enhanced activity of the immune system and represents one of the pathogenetic links of spontaneous abortion.

Author(s):  
Wenhua Liu ◽  
Zheren Huang ◽  
Shanshan Tang ◽  
Zhifen Zhang ◽  
Qing Yu ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Inflammatory response state is related to the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate the changes of serum sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), homocysteine (Hcy), and hypersensitive CRP (hs-CRP) levels during pregnancy and their relationship with GDM. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The nested case-control study method was used. Sixty nonobese single pregnant women diagnosed with GDM were divided into the GDM group (GDM, <i>n</i> = 60), together with another 60 pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance who were matched in the same period and divided into the control group (control, <i>n</i> = 60). The serum Hcy, hs-CRP, and SHBG levels were measured. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the GDM group compared with the control group, and serum levels of SHBG was significantly lower in the GDM group compared with the control group at different stages of pregnancy. The serum levels of Hcy and hs-CRP in pregnant women increased with the increase of gestational age, and serum levels of SHBG decreased with the increase of gestational age. Increased Hcy and hs-CRP levels in the second trimester and decreased SHBG levels in the first trimester were related to GDM. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were as follows: OR: 4.5, 95% CI: 1.5–13.0; OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.5–10.1; and OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.3–0.7, respectively. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Increased Hcy and hs-CRP in the second trimester and decreased SHBG in the first trimester were independent predictors of GDM, which provides a new idea for early prevention and treatment of GDM.


Open Medicine ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao Litang ◽  
Wang Hong ◽  
Zhang Weimin ◽  
Tian Xiaohui ◽  
Sun Qian

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the serum NF-κBp65, TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) expression in patients of preeclampsia and its diagnostic value as biomarkers.MethodsThirty patients with preeclampsia (case group) and 30 normal pregnant women (control group) were included in this study. The serum level of NF-κBp65 and TLR4 were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and compared between the two groups. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated by STATA11.0 statistical software.ResultsThe expression level of TLR4 and NF-κBp65 in serum of preeclampsia patient group was 3.76±1.07ng/ ml and 183.20±49.19ng/ml, whereas that in the serum of the normal pregnant group was 2.43±0.69ng/ml and 98.68±29.80ng/ml. The expression of TLR4 and NF-κBp65 in serum of preeclampsia patient group was significantly higher than that of the normal pregnant group (P<0.05); The Pearson correlation test showed that the TLR4 expression in the serum of preeclampsia patients and normal pregnant women was positively correlated with their NF-κBp65 expression [rpreeclampsia=0.46, (P<0.05), rnormal=0.48, (P<0.05)]. When TLR4 and NF-κBp65 were selected as the reference indexes, the diagnostic sensitivity of preeclampsia was 86.67% (95%CI:69.28%-96.24%) and 90.33% (95%CI:73.47%-97.89%), and the specific ity was 70.00% (95%CI:50.60%-85.27%) and 83.33% (95%CI:65.28%-94.36%). The area under the ROC curve was 0.84 and 0.89.ConclusionSerum levels of TLR4 and NF-κBp65 was significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia which may involve in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and can be used as biomarker for predicting preeclampsia.


1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-60
Author(s):  
JA Begum ◽  
R Sultana ◽  
S Naher

Background: Hyperemesis gravidarum is a severe type of vomiting in pregnancy which has significant effect on the health of mother and fetus. During this period various metabolic and endocrine changes occur in maternal body. Objectives: The present study has been designed to observe the serum total protein, albumin and globulin in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. Method: For this purpose 6o women with age ranging from 20 to 40 years were selected. The women with hyperemesis gravidarum were taken as case and Non pregnant nulliparous women & normal pregnant women during the first trimester of normal pregnancy were taken as control group. Each group consisted of 20 women. The total protein and albumin levels were measured in all study populations against the blank at wavelength of 530 nm and 620 nm in a colorimeter. Results: The serum total protein and albumin levels were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnant women during first trimester compared to control non pregnant nulliparous women. Conclusion: Therefore the result of the present study reveals that higher levels of total protein, albumin and globulin in hyperemesis gravidarum in comparison to non pregnant nulliparous & normal pregnant women due to increase thyroid hormones and also increases thyroxine - binding globulins. Key words: Serum Total Protein; Serum Albumin; Serum Globulin; Hyperemesis Gravidarum DOI: 10.3329/jdmc.v19i1.6254 J Dhaka Med Coll. 2010; 19(1) : 58-60.


2011 ◽  
Vol 135 (4) ◽  
pp. 483-489
Author(s):  
Rafael D Gaiolla ◽  
Maria A. C Domingues ◽  
Lígia Niéro-Melo ◽  
Deilson Elgui de Oliveira

Abstract Context.—Interleukins (ILs) 6, 10, and 13 seem to be important in the pathogenesis of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), but there is insufficient data on the serum levels of these cytokines in patients with HL. Objectives.—To evaluate serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13 before and after HL treatment and to determine their potential association with clinical and laboratory parameters. Design.—Serum IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13 levels were quantified in the serum of 27 patients with HL by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results were evaluated against clinical and laboratory parameters, response to treatment, and presence of infection by the Epstein-Barr virus. As a control group, serum samples from 26 healthy blood donors were evaluated the same way. Results.—Pretreatment serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were significantly higher in patients with HL (P &lt; .001), and a significant decrease was observed after treatment (P &lt; .001). Serum IL-13 was undetectable in both patient and control groups. Serum IL-6 was higher in patients with abdominal involvement (P  =  .02), hepatomegaly (P  =  .03), B symptoms (P  =  .02), and anemia (P  =  .02). Serum IL-10 levels were higher in patients with hypoalbuminemia (P  =  .04). No association with EBV status was observed. Lymphocytopenia and B symptoms were accurate predictors of IL-6 serum levels before treatment, and higher pretreatment levels of IL-6 were observed in patients with treatment failure (P  =  .03). Conclusions.—Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-10 were frequently elevated in patients with HL and decreased substantially after conventional chemotherapy. The association of elevated IL-6 and IL-10 levels in serum with some clinical and laboratory features suggests those ILs may be useful biomarkers for monitoring the HL disease and its response to chemotherapy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Gordana Bogdanović ◽  
Lejla Muminhodžić ◽  
Dženita Ljuca ◽  
Adnan Babović

Introduction: Partial molar trophoblast degeneration is a benign disease characterised by numerous complications such as an invasive mole and malignant alteration.Methods: This was a retrospective study which recruited 70 pregnant women diagnosed with hydatidiform mole or with physiological pregnancy spontaneously aborted. The pregnant women had similar demographic features and were included in two groups. 35 pregnant women with a molar pregnancy diagnosed during the first trimester were included in the study group; while 35 pregnant women with miscarriages during the fi rst trimester were included in the control group.Results: Examined trophoblast changes were: type of atypia, amount and mass of trophoblast proliferation. Specifi c β HCG serum levels were observed in all pregnant women before the treatment. Pregnantwomen in the study group had statistically signifi cant higher levels of β HCG serum in comparison with the control group (both average levels 60191.37±49662.75 and levels according to gestational age). Statisticallysignifi cant changes of villous trophoblast were observed by the pathomorphological analysis: mild trophoblast atypia (57.14%); pronounced trophoblast mass (45.71%) and mild trophoblast proliferationamount (51.43%).Conclusion: Serum β-HCG level measurements and pathomorphological analysis of chorionic villi are reliable and effective methods in a partial mole diagnostics.


2016 ◽  
pp. 160-164
Author(s):  
D.N. Maslo ◽  

The objective: frequency decrease perinatal pathologies at women after ART on the basis of studying clinical-ehografical, endocrinological, biochemical, dopplerometrical, cardiotokografical and morphological researches, and also improvement of algorithm of diagnostic and treatment-and-prophylactic actions. Patients and methods. The work basis is made spent by us from 2012 on 2015 by complex inspection of 300 pregnant women from which 250 were after ART and 50 – firstlabours which pragnency without ART, and also their newborns. For the decision of an object in view of research spent to two stages. At 1 stage spent prosperctive research which included 150 pregnant women: з them 100 women pregnancy at which has come out ART (1 group) and 50 healthy women (control group). At 2 stage spent prospective randomization in which result of patients after ART have divided on two equal groups by therapy principle: 2 basic group - 75 pregnant women after ART at which used the algorithm improved by us; 3 group of comparison - 75 pregnant women after ART which have been spent on the standard treatment-and-prophylactic actions. Results. The results suggest that women after using ART is a high frequency of reproductive losses in the first trimester (10.0%), 3.0% of spontaneous abortion from 16 to 22 weeks, and 3.0% "early" premature delivery (22 to 28 weeks of pregnancy). The frequency of violations of the functional state of placenta in women after using IVF is 63.0%, which is the main cause of high levels of perinatal losses (40.0 ‰), and delivery by cesarean section (96.0%). Placental dysfunction in women after using ART characterized by retrohorialnyh hematoma (21.0%); size mismatch fruit (30.0%) and hypertonicity of the uterus (73.0%) against changes in fruit-placental blood flow - increased resistance index in umbilical artery and increased vascular resistance in the uterine arteries. Endocrinological and biochemical changes in placental dysfunction in women after using IVF starting from 28 weeks of pregnancy and are in significant reduction in progesterone, placental b1-microglobulin, B2-microglobulin of fertility and trophic в-glycoprotein. Conclusion. The received results: use of the algorithm of diagnostic and treatment-and-prophylactic actions improved by us allows to lower frequency of spontaneous interruption of pregnancy till 22 weeks – from 13.0% to 5.7%; «early» premature birth – from 3.0% to 1.0%; placentary dysfunction from 63.0% to 40.6%; cesarean sections – from 96.0% to 56.5%, and also perinatal losses – from 40.0‰ to 16.2‰. Key words: pregnancy, childbirth, auxiliary reproductive technologies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Rustichelli ◽  
Elisa Bellei ◽  
Stefania Bergamini ◽  
Emanuela Monari ◽  
Flavia Lo Castro ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Neurosteroids affect the balance between neuroexcitation and neuroinhibition but have been little studied in migraine. We compared the serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate, pregnanolone and estradiol in women with menstrually-related migraine and controls and analysed if a correlation existed between the levels of the three hormones and history of migraine and age. Methods Thirty women (mean age ± SD: 33.5 ± 7.1) with menstrually-related migraine (MM group) and 30 aged- matched controls (mean age ± SD: 30.9 ± 7.9) participated in the exploratory study. Pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone serum levels were analysed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, while estradiol levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Serum levels of pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone were significantly lower in the MM group than in controls (pregnenolone sulfate: P = 0.0328; pregnanolone: P = 0.0271, Student’s t-test), while estradiol levels were similar. In MM group, pregnenolone sulfate serum levels were negatively correlated with history of migraine (R2 = 0.1369; P = 0.0482) and age (R2 = 0.2826, P = 0.0025) while pregnenolone sulfate levels were not age-related in the control group (R2 = 0.04436, P = 0.4337, linear regression analysis). Conclusion Low levels of both pregnanolone, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, and pregnenolone sulfate, a positive allosteric modulator of the NMDA receptor, involved in memory and learning, could contribute either to headache pain or the cognitive dysfunctions reported in migraine patients. Overall, our results agree with the hypothesis that migraine is a disorder associated with a loss of neurohormonal integrity, thus supporting the therapeutic potential of restoring low neurosteroid levels in migraine treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1S) ◽  
pp. 21-26
Author(s):  
M. S. Gris ◽  
N. S. Baranova ◽  
N. N. Spirin ◽  
D. S. Kasatkin ◽  
D. V. Kiselev ◽  
...  

To date, the features of clinical presentation, course, and the effectiveness of therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) in the presence of persistent herpesvirus infection (PHVI) remain poorly understood.Objective: to evaluate the features of clinical presentation and course of MS in patients with PHVI to optimize patient management.Patients and methods. We examined 122 patients with a clinically definite diagnosis of MS according to McDonald criteria (2010) (82 women and 40 men, age: 18–50 years, mean age – 37.74±11.04 years). MS duration at the time of examination was from 6 months to 20 years (mean – 8.53±7.47 years), mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score – 2.91±1.67. 86% of patients had relapsing-remitting MS; 14% – secondary progressive MS. 98 (80%) patients received disease modifying therapies (DMTs). All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical and neurological examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 30 healthy donors (20 women and 10 men, age: 19–62 years, mean age: 39.1±12.1 years) were included in the control group. Serum levels of type-specific IgM and IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1, 2, 6, Varicella zoster virus (VVZ), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) were detected, in some patients – blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) polymerase chain reaction, serum and CSF oligoclonal IgG.Results and discussion. We identified two sub-groups of MS patients: with PHVI reactivation (main group, n=29) and without it (comparison group, n=93). There were a significantly higher VZV (72%) and EBV infection rate (100%) in MS patients compared to the control group (50% and 83%, respectively). Mixed herpesvirus infection prevailed over mono-infection in MS patients. In contrast to controls, the most common viral pattern in MS group was a combination of 4 herpes viruses: HSV 1, 2 + VZV + EBV + CMV (χ2=3.9; p<0.05). Patients in the main group had an unfavorable disease course: earlier MS onset, predominantly polysymptomatic onset, significantly higher relapse rate, faster disease progression, and higher EDSS and Functional Systems Scale (FSS) scores (p <0.05). MRI activity was also associated with EBV infection: new T1Gd+ and T2 foci were associated with an increase in VCA-IgM to EBV level. We also observed decreased DMTs effectiveness (χ2=4,6; p=0,033) and worse DMTs tolerability (χ2=5,3; p=0,022) in the main group.Conclusion. MS patients with PHVI reactivation, have a more unfavorable course of the demyelinating process and, therefore, a greater degree of disability, compared with age-adjusted patients without a viral infection and the same disease duration.


Author(s):  
Khaled S. Abd ◽  
Adnan F. AL-Azzawie

This study aims to evaluate serum levels of the Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and its relationship with some sex hormones such as Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone hormone and the infertility type in some infertile Iraqi men. Blood and seminal fluid samples from (60) idiopathic male infertile and (60) healthful individuals as a control group aged (18 to 60 year) were collected from private clinics. Serum hormones (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) were measurement using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin are significantly higher (P≤0.01) expect of the testosterone level was significantly decreased (P≤ 0.01) in the infertile men as compared with control group. High significant differences (P≤0.01) were recorded when comparing the hormonal levels (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) according to the age groups. There are significant differences (P≤ 0.01) in levels of (DHEA-S, FSH, LH, prolactin and testosterone) in the infertility period.  Smoker infertile men have high levels (P≤ 0.05) in the DHEA-S and LH while have low levels in the prolactin hormones compared with control. Patients with family history have shown significant differences (P≤0.05) in the levels of DHEA-S, FSH, LH and prolactin. In conclusion, this study revealed significantly increase in the DHEA-S levels in the infertile men and negative correlation between DHEA-S and FSH. Therefore, DHEA-S has important role in the diagnosis and follow up of the male infertility.


Author(s):  
Ümit Görkem ◽  
Özgür Kan ◽  
Mehmet Ömer Bostancı ◽  
Deniz Taşkıran ◽  
Hasan Ali İnal

Objective: Spontaneous abortion is the most common complication of early pregnancy, affecting up to 20% of recognized pregnancies. Kisspeptin is predominantly released by placental syncytiotrophoblasts, and regulates their placental invasion into the uterine matrices. We aimed to establish an association of serum kisspeptin levels with pregnancy outcomes during the early gestational stage of the first trimester. Method: In this prospective study, 90 pregnant women in their 7 to 8 6/7 gestational weeks were classified into three groups: (i) The control group, consisting of healthy pregnant women (n=30), (ii) the threatened abortion group (n=30), and (iii) the spontaneous abortion group (n=30). The maternal serum samples were analyzed for complete blood count parameters and kisspeptin levels. Results: There was no statistical difference regarding body mass index (BMI) and gestational age (p=0.370). Regarding detailed obstetric notations, including gravida, parity, abortion, and living children, socioeconomic levels, and employment rates, all study groups were comparable (p>0.05, for all). No significant association was found regarding the biochemical parameters of complete blood count, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet concentrations, as well as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLR) (p>0.05, for all). The median serum kisspeptin levels of the study groups did not differ between the groups (p=0.153). Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between serum kisspeptin levels and other study parameters in any study groups (p>0.05, for all) Conclusions: We found no statistically significant relationship between serum kisspeptin concentrations and pregnancy outcomes in the early gestational stage of the first trimester, and serum kisspeptin concentrations did not seem to be a reliable marker to distinguish abortion status from viable pregnancy


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