RESUMEN
AIM: To verify the eventual efficacy of lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein, to decrease the amniotic concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 60 Caucasian patients at the 16th week of their singleton physiological gestation. A vaginal compound containing 300 mg of LF was administered randomly 4 or 12 h prior to amniocentesis, as to obtain 3 groups: A, 20 untreated patients; B, 20 treated 4 h before amniocentesis; C, 20 treated 12 h before amniocentesis. RESULTS: A normal karyotype was registered in all cases. The comparison of the distribution of IL-6 among the 3 groups showed a highly significant difference (p = 0.001). The difference between mean values of group B and both groups C and A was shown to be highly significant (p = 0.006 and p = 0.03, respectively). In contrast, there was no significant difference between mean values of groups A and C. CONCLUSION: Vaginal LF administration decreases amniotic IL-6 concentration. We therefore suggest that the glycoprotein may exert a protective role against ominous pregnancy complications linked to an increased level of the cytokine, such as abortion secondary to amniocentesis.
Asunto(s)
Amniocentesis , Líquido Amniótico/efectos de los fármacos , Antiinfecciosos/farmacología , Antiinflamatorios/farmacología , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Lactoferrina/farmacología , Embarazo/efectos de los fármacos , Administración Intravaginal , Adulto , Líquido Amniótico/metabolismo , Antiinfecciosos/administración & dosificación , Antiinflamatorios/administración & dosificación , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Humanos , Lactoferrina/administración & dosificación , Evaluación del Resultado de la Atención al Paciente , Embarazo/metabolismo , Segundo Trimestre del EmbarazoRESUMEN
With the odds of surviving cancer improving, many young women facing chemotherapy or radiotherapy may first wish to take steps to ensure that they will still be able to bear children afterward. The options depend on the type of disease, the treatment required, the age of the patient, whether she has a long-term partner, and whether cancer treatment can be delayed. This paper is an overview of current and experimental strategies for preserving fertility in female cancer patients.
Asunto(s)
Preservación de la Fertilidad/métodos , Fertilidad/fisiología , Infertilidad Femenina/prevención & control , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Técnicas Reproductivas Asistidas , Femenino , Humanos , Infertilidad Femenina/etiologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Pseudo-Meigs' syndrome is a rare condition characterized by female genital cancer, ascites, hydrothorax and tumors other than benign ovarian tumors. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old woman arrived at our clinic with pelvic pain and dyspnea. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy for a large pelvic mass complicated by ascites and hydrothorax. Cytological examination of the effusions was negative for malignant cells. Histological analysis of the tumor mass revealed a uterine epithelioid leiomyosarcoma. After surgery, we observed resolution of the effusions. CONCLUSION: Uterine leiomyosarcoma and pseudo-Meigs' syndrome are two rare entities. To our knowledge, there are no similar reports in the literature, and therefore we present this new clinical condition due to its high scientific evidence.