RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To assess the expression of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and their cytokines in twin pregnancies with preeclampsia. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. The inclusion criteria were diamniotic (monochorionic or dichorionic) twin pregnancies in the third trimester with negative serological results for infectious diseases; absence of major fetal abnormalities or twin-twin transfusion syndrome; and no history of administration of corticosteroids in this pregnancy. The control group (CG) included uncomplicated twin pregnancies, and the preeclampsia group (PEG) included twin gestations with clinical and laboratory confirmation of the disease according to well-established criteria. Samples of the decidua were obtained and analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of dNK cells and interleukins (ILs) 10, 12 and 15. In addition, maternal serum samples were collected to determine the levels of these interleukins. RESULTS: Thirty twin pregnancies were selected: 20 in the control group (CG) and 10 in the preeclampsia group (PEG). The PEG showed strong placental immunostaining for IL-15 (p=0.001) and high maternal serum levels of IL-10 (22.7 vs. 11.9 pg/mL, p=0.024) and IL-15 (15.9 vs. 7.4 pg/mL, p=0.024). CONCLUSION: A higher maternal serum concentration of both pro- and anti-inflammatory factors was observed in the twin pregnancies in the PEG. However, no difference in placental expression of IL-10 was found between the groups. These findings may suggest that maternal attempts to balance these interleukins were not sufficient to cause a placental response, and this failure may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.
Asunto(s)
Citocinas/sangre , Decidua/citología , Células Asesinas Naturales/fisiología , Preeclampsia/sangre , Preeclampsia/fisiopatología , Adolescente , Adulto , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Citocinas/fisiología , Decidua/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Inmunohistoquímica , Persona de Mediana Edad , Embarazo , Embarazo Gemelar , Estudios Prospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of vaginal progesterone on cervical length (CL) in asymptomatic nonselected twin gestations. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of twin pregnancies exposed to vaginal progesterone or placebo. The CL was examined at six different time periods: 18-21+6 weeks (T1), 21-23+6 weeks (T2), 24-26+6 weeks (T3), 27-29+6 weeks (T4), 30-32+6 weeks (T5) and 33-34+6 weeks (T6). The rate of cervical shortening per week and the percent cervical shortening were compared between the groups, with analyses of the entire cohort and of those who delivered spontaneously according to gestational age at birth. RESULTS: The final analysis included 184 women in the progesterone group and 188 women in the placebo group. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. No differences in cervical shortening in terms of absolute value or percent shortening were observed between the groups at each time period or throughout gestation. Furthermore, no difference was found in cervical shortening for those who delivered spontaneously. CONCLUSION: Cervical shortening in asymptomatic nonselected twin pregnancies occurred at a similar rate, regardless of vaginal progesterone treatment.
Asunto(s)
Cuello del Útero/efectos de los fármacos , Embarazo Gemelar , Progesterona/administración & dosificación , Progestinas/administración & dosificación , Administración Intravaginal , Adulto , Medición de Longitud Cervical , Cuello del Útero/diagnóstico por imagen , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Nacimiento Prematuro/prevención & control , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To assess the expression of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and their cytokines in twin pregnancies with preeclampsia. METHODS: This was a prospective case-control study. The inclusion criteria were diamniotic (monochorionic or dichorionic) twin pregnancies in the third trimester with negative serological results for infectious diseases; absence of major fetal abnormalities or twin-twin transfusion syndrome; and no history of administration of corticosteroids in this pregnancy. The control group (CG) included uncomplicated twin pregnancies, and the preeclampsia group (PEG) included twin gestations with clinical and laboratory confirmation of the disease according to well-established criteria. Samples of the decidua were obtained and analyzed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of dNK cells and interleukins (ILs) 10, 12 and 15. In addition, maternal serum samples were collected to determine the levels of these interleukins. RESULTS: Thirty twin pregnancies were selected: 20 in the control group (CG) and 10 in the preeclampsia group (PEG). The PEG showed strong placental immunostaining for IL-15 (p=0.001) and high maternal serum levels of IL-10 (22.7 vs. 11.9 pg/mL, p=0.024) and IL-15 (15.9 vs. 7.4 pg/mL, p=0.024). CONCLUSION: A higher maternal serum concentration of both pro- and anti-inflammatory factors was observed in the twin pregnancies in the PEG. However, no difference in placental expression of IL-10 was found between the groups. These findings may suggest that maternal attempts to balance these interleukins were not sufficient to cause a placental response, and this failure may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Embarazo , Adolescente , Adulto , Adulto Joven , Preeclampsia/fisiopatología , Preeclampsia/sangre , Células Asesinas Naturales/fisiología , Citocinas/sangre , Decidua/citología , Inmunohistoquímica , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Estudios Prospectivos , Citocinas/fisiología , Decidua/fisiología , Embarazo GemelarRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the influence of vaginal progesterone on uterine circulation in asymptomatic twin gestations. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a secondary analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of twin pregnancies exposed to vaginal progesterone or placebo. We included all trial participants who had undergone uterine artery pulsatility index evaluation at the time of randomization. During each ultrasound examination, the uterine artery pulsatility index was evaluated transabdominally. The mean uterine artery pulsatility index between the progesterone and placebo groups were compared for each gestational age, starting between 18 to 34 weeks and 6days and were analyzed at three (Time 1), six (Time 2) and nine (Time 3) weeks after randomization. RESULTS: The final analysis included 128 women in the progesterone group and 122 women in the placebo group. The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups. No difference in the mean uterine artery pulsatility index was observed between the progesterone and placebo groups at each week of gestation or throughout gestation. CONCLUSIONS: In twin pregnancies, the use of vaginal progesterone in the second half of pregnancy does not influence uterine circulation.
Asunto(s)
Progesterona/administración & dosificación , Ultrasonografía Doppler , Arteria Uterina/efectos de los fármacos , Administración Intravaginal , Adulto , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Embarazo , Resultado del Embarazo , Embarazo Gemelar , Ultrasonografía Prenatal , Arteria Uterina/diagnóstico por imagen , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The decoction of the stem barks from Bowdichia virgilioides KUNTH is a folk remedy used to treat inflammatory disorders in Latin American and Brazil. In the present study, the wound healing activity of aqueous extract of the stem bark from B. virgilioides, called AEBv, was evaluated by the rate of healing by wound contraction and period of epithelization at different days post-wound using the wound excisional model. On day 9, the AEBv-treated animals exhibited significative reduction in the wound area when compared with controls. In wound infected with S. aureus, the AEBv significantly improved the wound contraction when compared to the saline-treated mice. The histological analysis showed that AEBv induced a collagen deposition, increase in the fibroblast count and few inflammatory cells than compared to saline-treated group. The expression of collagen type I was increased in the group treated with AEBv as indicated by immunohistochemical staining. In vitro, the AEBv was effective only against S. aureus but not against P. aeruginosa. Together, the results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, the healing and antimicrobiological effects of aqueous extract of the stem bark from B. virgilioides in the therapy of skin wounds.