Relationship between adenosine and T-helper 1/T-helper 2 balance in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Background: Adenosine modulates the T-helper (Th) 1/T-helper (Th) 2 balance. We evaluated the relationship between changes in plasma adenosine and the T-helper (Th) 1/T-helper (Th) 2 balance in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Methods: Plasma adenosine concentrations and the Th1/Th2 ratio were examined in the peripheral blood of 24 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies.

Plasma adenosine concentrations increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Background: Adenosine is an important metabolic modulator and its concentrations are affected by sympathetic nerve stimulation and cytokine production. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by overactivation of sympathetic nerves and enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma adenosine concentrations may be altered. The present study evaluated plasma adenosine concentrations and their relation with norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Resting oxygen consumption in patients with twin pregnancy.

Objective: This study examined the resting oxygen consumption in patients with a twin pregnancy and compared the results with those of singleton pregnancies.

Methods: In 15 patients with a twin and 26 patients with a singleton pregnancy, the resting oxygen consumption was measured using an open-circuit ventilatory system during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Results: The average resting oxygen consumption in patients with a twin pregnancy was 231+/-25 ml/min, significantly higher than that in patients with a singleton pregnancy (209+/-24 ml/min, P<0.

Maternal plasma hypoxanthine levels in nonpreeclamptic twin pregnancies.

We have observed that the elevated plasma adenosine levels are associated with hyperuricemia in nonpreeclamptic twin pregnancies. In animal models, extracellular adenosine is taken up by cells to form adenine nucleotides or is degraded to other purine metabolites such as hypoxanthine, which is further metabolized to xanthine and uric acid. In this study, we measured plasma hypoxanthine levels to evaluate the role of adenosine in hyperuricemia among women with twin pregnancies.

Plasma adenosine concentrations increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Background: Adenosine is an important metabolic modulator and adenosine concentrations are affected by sympathetic nerve stimulation and cytokine production. Since hyperemesis gravidarum is characterized by overactivation of sympathetic nerves and enhanced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, plasma adenosine concentrations may be altered. The present study evaluated plasma adenosine concentrations and their relation with norepinephrine and TNF-alpha concentrations in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Intrauterine therapy for the acutely enlarging fetal cystic hygroma.

Enlarged fetal cystic hygroma is known to cause life-threatening complications such as fetal hydrops and neonatal respiratory difficulty. A 28-year-old Japanese woman, gravida 0, presented with fetal cystic hygroma at 23 weeks of gestation. There were no other structural malformations or hydrops detected by ultrasonographic examination.

Role of adenosine in regulation of uterine blood flow during nonpreeclamptic twin gestation.

We evaluated the possible role of increased adenosine in the regulation of uteroplacental circulation during nonpreeclamptic twin gestations. We performed uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and maternal arterial blood sampling for measurement of plasma adenosine levels in 16 women with singleton gestation and 14 women with dichorionic twin gestation without preeclampsia at 11-12, 25-26 and 34-36 weeks. In singleton gestations, a negative correlation between maternal plasma adenosine levels and maternal uterine artery pulsatility index was observed.

Effects of maternal oxygen supplementation on fetal oxygenation and lipid peroxidation following a single umbilical cord occlusion in fetal goats.

Maternal oxygen supplementation is commonly performed to improve fetal oxygenation and acid-base balance during fetal asphyxia. The efficiency of this treatment is controversial, which may be associated with the production of oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation. However, only a few studies have been performed to evaluate these issues.

Fetal plasma prostaglandin F(2alpha) and cortisol responses to high-dose endotoxin administration in fetal goats.

Intrauterine inflammation/infection has been associated with prenatal mortality and morbidity. However, few studies have been performed to investigate how the fetus responds to intrauterine inflammation/infection in utero. In the present study, fetal plasma prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) and cortisol responses to high-dose fetal endotoxin administration were evaluated in late gestation goats (n=8).

Relation between plasma endothelin-1 levels and T helper-1:T helper-2 immunity in women with twin pregnancies.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ET-1 levels and T helper-1 (Th1):Th2 immunity in women with twin pregnancies. The percentage of Th1 and Th2 cells and the Th1:Th2 cell ratios in peripheral blood from 13 normal singleton pregnant women and 13 patients with twin pregnancies at 29-34 weeks' gestation were calculated using flow cytometry. The plasma ET-1 was also determined using a modified radioimmunoassay.

Basal metabolic rate in hyperemesis gravidarum: comparison to normal pregnancy and response to treatment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to measure resting minute ventilation and oxygen consumption in patients with hyperemesis gravidarum before and after treatment and to compare the results with those of normal pregnant women.

Study Design: Baseline evaluation was performed with the use of an open-circuit ventilatory system in 17 hospitalized patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and was repeated 1 week after treatment. Thirty-seven normal pregnant women served as control subjects.

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.

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.

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.

Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Objectives: To investigate plasma activities of 5'-nucleotidase, a key enzyme in the production of adenosine and evaluate the relationship between changes in 5'-nucleotidase activities and pregnancy-related hormones, estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Design And Methods: Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and estradiol, progesterone and hCG levels were measured in 21 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies, matched for age, parity and gestational week.

Results: In women with hyperemesis gravidarum, plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities averaged 8.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Relationship between plasma malondialdehyde levels and adenosine deaminase activities in preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is characterized by endothelial cell dysfunction, and lipid peroxidation and alterations of immune responses may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of the present study was to examine changes in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, as a marker of T-cell activation in preeclampsia, and evaluated the possible relationship between those parameters in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods: Plasma levels of MDA, an end product of lipid peroxidation induced by reactive oxygen species, and ADA activities were measured in 26 women with preeclampsia and 26 normal pregnancies.

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.

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.