RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare the mRNA expression of placental iron transporters (TfR-1 and FPN), markers of placental vascularization (VEGF and sFLT1) and marker of structural integrity (LMN-A) in term women with and without iron deficiency anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 pregnant women were enrolled; 15 cases of iron deficiency anemia (Hb 7-10.9 gm/dL) and 15 gestational age matched healthy controls (Hb ≥ 11 gm/dL). Peripheral venous blood was collected for assessment of hemoglobin levels and serum iron profile. Placental tissue was used for assessing the mRNA expression of TfR-1, FPN, VEGF, sFLT-1 and LMN-A via real time PCR. RESULTS: Placental expression of TfR-1, VEGF and LMN-A was increased in pregnant women with anemia compared to healthy pregnant controls. Placental expression of sFLT-1 was decreased in pregnant women with anemia compared to healthy pregnant controls. There was no change in the placental expression of FPN. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of TfR-1, VEGF and LMN-A in cases of iron deficiency anemia are most likely to be compensatory in nature to help maintain adequate fetal iron delivery. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADDS TO THE CLINICAL WORK: Compensatory changes in the placenta aimed at buffering transport of iron to the fetus are seen in pregnant women with anemia compared to healthy pregnant controls.
Asunto(s)
Anemia Ferropénica , Biomarcadores , Proteínas de Transporte de Catión , Hierro , Placenta , Receptores de Transferrina , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular , Humanos , Femenino , Embarazo , Placenta/metabolismo , Adulto , Receptores de Transferrina/metabolismo , Receptores de Transferrina/genética , Anemia Ferropénica/genética , Anemia Ferropénica/metabolismo , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Factor A de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Proteínas de Transporte de Catión/genética , Proteínas de Transporte de Catión/metabolismo , Hierro/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Biomarcadores/sangre , Receptor 1 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/genética , Receptor 1 de Factores de Crecimiento Endotelial Vascular/metabolismo , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Antígenos CD/metabolismo , Antígenos CD/genética , ARN Mensajero/genética , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Expresión Génica/genéticaRESUMEN
Auditory hallucinations (AHs) are a common symptom of schizophrenia and contribute significantly to disease burden. Research on schizophrenia and AHs is limited and fails to adequately address the effect of AHs on resting EEG in patients with schizophrenia. This study assessed changes in frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta) of resting EEG taken from hallucinating patients (n = 12), nonhallucinating patients (n = 11), and healthy controls (n = 12). Delta and theta activity were unaffected by AHs but differed between patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls. Alpha activity was affected by AHs: nonhallucinators had more alpha activity than hallucinators and healthy controls. Additionally, beta activity was inversely related to trait measures of AHs. These findings contribute to the literature of resting eyes closed EEG recordings of schizophrenia and AHs, and indicate the role of delta, theta, alpha, and beta as markers for schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations.