[Clinical Comparative Analysis of Early-Onset Preeclampsia Combined with HELLP Syndrome].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of early-onset preeclampsia (PE) combined with HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets) syndrome, and to improve the capacity for early diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Pregnant women who received treatment at Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University between March 2014 and October 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. There were two patient groups, the HELLP group consisting of 70 cases of early-onset PE combined with HELLP syndrome and the control group consisting of 140 cases of early-onset PE without HELLP syndrome. Patients in the two groups were matched by age. The general clinical data, characteristics of pathogenesis, and laboratory findings of the patients were collected and the perinatal outcomes of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: 1) There was no significant difference in gravidity, pre-delivery body mass index, years from the last delivery, and family history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension between the two groups. 2) The highest systolic blood pressure, highest diastolic blood pressure during the pregnancy, and the postpartum hospital length-of-stay ( P<0.001) in the HELLP group were higher than those in the control group. The gestational age at the time of the diagnosis of PE ( P=0.001) and the gestational age at delivery ( P<0.001) in the HELLP group were significantly earlier than those in the control group. The difference between the gestational age at the time of blood pressure elevation and that at the time of delivery ( P<0.001), and the gestational age difference between the diagnosis of early-onset PE and delivery ( P=0.027) were lower than those in the control group. The incidences of eclampsia in the HELLP group, pleural effusion, and ascites were higher than those of the control group. 3) Neonates in the HELLP group had a higher probability of being admitted to NICU and developing cyanotic/pale asphyxia ( P<0.001). 4) Before the termination of pregnancy, the HELLP group had higher levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, random glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, activated partial thromboplastin time, and the last 24-hour urine protein quantification than those of the control group (all P<0.05), while the platelet (PLT) counts were significantly lower than those of the control group ( P<0.001). 5) There was a significant correlation between PLT counts in the second trimester and the onset of HELLP syndrome ( P=0.006), with the area under the ROC curve reaching 0.746 (95% CI: 0.596-0.897). Conclusion: In comparison with early-onset PE patients without HELLP syndrome, patients with early-onset PE combined with HELLP syndrome are diagnosed for PE at an earlier gestational age, have higher blood pressure, are more prone to serious pregnancy complications, and have longer postpartum hospital length-of-stay and worse neonatal outcomes. Close monitoring of PLT counts of early-onset PE patients in the second trimester may help predict subsequent HELLP syndrome.

Does public health education improve migrant workers' health status in China?-evidence from China Migrants Dynamic Survey.

This study investigates the effect of public health education (PHE) on migrant workers' health status in China, using the data collected from the China Migrants Dynamic Survey project. The analysis employs a probit model, whose results suggest that, in general, PHE has a statistically significant and positive impact on migrant workers' self-rated health status and exerts a negative impact on their incidence rate of daily diseases. We also utilize the conditional mixed process method to address the potential endogenous issue. Further analyses reveal that there are significant differences in the impacts of different modes of PHE on migrant workers' health status, among which the mode of health knowledge lectures plays the most prominent role. Nonetheless, an additional analysis indicates that in addition to PHE, other public health services, such as the establishment of health records, also have a significant effect on the promotion of migrant workers' health status. A disaggregated analysis reveals that this impact is heterogeneous among different generations, genders as well as those with different income levels. The findings shed light on the importance of promoting equal access to public health services.

Investigation of the pharmacological effect and mechanism of mountain-cultivated ginseng and garden ginseng in cardiovascular diseases based on network pharmacology and zebrafish experiments.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey) is a kind of perennial herb of the Panax genus in the Araliaceae family. The secondary metabolites of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) and garden ginseng (GG) vary greatly due to their different growth environments. To date, the differences in their pharmacological effects on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and their clinical applications remain unclear. To distinguish between the components of MCG and GG, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was performed. Next, the relationship between the expression of metabolites and the categories of the sample were analyzed using supervised partial least squares discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. A network-based pharmacology approach was developed and applied to determine the underlying mechanism of different metabolites in CVD. In the present study, the role of MCG and GG in angiogenesis and their protective effects on damaged blood vessels in a vascular injury model of zebrafish were investigated. Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS, 11 different metabolites between MCG and GG were identified. In addition, 149 common target genes associated with the metabolites and CVD were obtained; these targets were related to tumor protein P53, proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src, human ubiquitin-52 amino acid fusion protein, ubiquitin-40S ribosomal protein S27a, polyubiquitin B, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1, vascular endothelial growth factor A, glycose synthase kinase-3B, and coagulation factor II and were associated with the regulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase-Akt signaling pathway, the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, which play important roles in the curative effect in CVD treatment. Both types of ginseng can promote the growth of the subintestinal vessel plexus and protect injured intersegmental vessels through the HIF-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, MCG has a stronger impact than GG. This is the first time metabolomics and network pharmacology methods were combined to study the difference between MCG and GG on CVDs, which provides a significant theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of CVD with two kinds of ginseng.

Early Rise of Serum hCG in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Women With Live Birth Through In Vitro Fertilization Procedure.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common complications of pregnancy. The characteristics of early human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels and the rise pattern in patients with GDM after in vitro fertilization (IVF) are unclear. The present investigation was a retrospective cohort analysis of eligible viable pregnancies achieved through IVF in the authors' hospital between October 2015 and June 2020. The characteristics of initial hCG concentration and the rise pattern in patients with GDM after IVF, and the difference between those of normoglycemic pregnant women, were explored. Using random-effects models, the preferred pattern to describe the increase in log hCG was a quadratic. When gestational age was within 39 days, the linear model adequately characterized the profile, and the average slope was 0.173, yielding a predicted increase of 1.55 (55%) in 1 day and 3.11 (211%) in 2 days. Absolute hCG values-but not the rate of rise-were significantly higher in double embryo transfers and twin pregnancies. Curves reflecting hCG rise from the GDM and non-GDM groups did not differ substantially. The proportion of patients with low initial hCG values (16 days post-oocyte retrieval <100 mIU/ml) was higher in the GDM group (5% vs. 2.09%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Early hCG rise in pregnant women after IVF-whether GDM or non-GDM-could be characterized by quadratic and linear models. However, hCG values on days 14 and 16 post-oocyte retrieval in the GDM group were lower than those in the non-GDM group, with the exception of twin pregnancies. Low hCG values in early pregnancy may be a clue to help predict GDM in the subsequent gestation period.

[Content determination of six flavonoids in Dendrobium officinale stems from different producing areas,cultivation and processing methods by QAMS combined with dual-wavelength method].

A novel HPLC method with the quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker( QAMS) combined with the dual-wavelength method was developed for simultaneous determination of six flavonoids in Dendrobium officinale stems from different producing areas,cultivation and processing methods to clarify the main factors contributing to the different composition of flavonoids.The separation of six flavonoids was performed on a Shiseido Capcell PAK MGⅡ C18 column( 4. 6 mm×250 mm,5 µm) using a linear gradient elution system of acetonitrile-0. 1% formic acid aqueous solution. Schaftoside,isoschaftoside,vicenin-2,and glucosylvitexin were simultaneously analyzed using rutin as a reference standard at detection wavelength of 340 nm,and naringenin was determined at290 nm. The credibility and feasibility of QAMS method were validated and the results demonstrated that no significant differences were observed as compared with the external standard method. Finally,a total of 82 batches of D. officinale samples were analyzed and principal component analysis( PCA) and discriminant analysis were applied to distinguish and compare D. officinale samples from different producing areas,cultivation and processing methods. The results showed that the total flavonoid content of D. officinale stems cultivated in the simulated wild( attached tree cultivation or attached stone cultivation) was significantly higher than that in greenhouse bed cultivation. The content of flavonoids in simulated-wild D. officinale stems was higher in Jiangxi,Guizhou,Zhejiang,and Fujian provinces,while that in greenhouse bed cultivation was higher in Fujian and Zhejiang provinces. The content of naringenin was positively correlated with processing temperature,and that of the other five flavonoids was negatively correlated with processing temperature. PCA showed that wild-simulated D. officinale and greenhouse bed-cultivated D. officinale could be roughly divided into two clusters. The samples cultivated in the greenhouse bed were divided into four categories according to the geographical habitats. Wild-simulated D. officinale samples from Guizhou gathered together,and there was no obvious rule in samples from other producing areas. The established method simplified the determination method of flavonoids in D. officinale,and could provide the basis for effective quality control,cultivation and processing of D. officinale.

Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharides Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Oxidative Stress in db/db Mice via Targeting Nuclear Factor E2 (Erythroid-Derived 2)-Related Factor-2/Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) Pathway.

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its comorbidities, including obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, are commonly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GDLP) is one of the central bioactive components in Ganoderma lucidum with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective properties. However, the effect and mechanisms of GDLP in hepatic steatosis remain largely unknown. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the function of GDLP in hepatic steatosis and the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, male db/db mice were received with a high-fat diet (HFD) to investigate the effect of GDLP in T2DM-induced hepatic steatosis. The biological characteristics of the hepatic steatosis were evaluated through the detection of clinical indicators, including biochemical parameters, histopathology, and related cytokine levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of Nrf2 (nuclear factor E2 (erythroid-derived 2)-related factor-2) signaling pathway were investigated by using western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS The levels of food/water intake, body weight, fasting blood glucose, plasma lipids, urinary biomarkers, hepatic lipid accumulation, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were observably decreased in GDLP-treated db/db mice. Additionally, administration of GDLP increased the expression of various antioxidases, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), whereas it reduced the level of malonaldehyde (MDA). Furthermore, GDLP was significantly promoted protein expression level of Nrf2 and its downstream target gene HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) while decreased TNF-alpha expression. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that GDLP against T2DM-induced hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation by improving the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in db/db mice, suggesting the GDLP may serve as an effective strategy for in fatty liver treatment.

Differences in maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes between syphilitic women with and without partner coinfection.

BACKGROUND: Partner infection is a significant factor in preventing mother-to-child syphilis transmission. We compared pregnancy outcomes between syphilis discordant and syphilis concordant couples. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study among 3076 syphilis-positive women who received syphilis screening together with their partners during pregnancy. Multivariate analysis was used to explore risks for abnormal outcomes in objects correcting for the major covariate factors. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated to compare pregnancy outcomes between syphilis concordant and syphilis discordant couples. RESULTS: Overall, 657 of the 3076 women were diagnosed with gestational syphilis and had a syphilis-positive partner, giving a partner concordance prevalence of 21.36%. Women in concordant couples were more likely to have higher parity, more children, late antenatal care and syphilis screening, a lower proportion of latent syphilis, and elevated serologic titers than women in discordant couples (P < 0.01 for all). Totally, 10.08% of women had adverse pregnancy outcomes. Multivariate analysis showed partners' syphilis infection (ORadj = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.10-1.89), untreated pregnancy syphilis (ORadj = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.15-2.43), and higher maternal serum titers (> 1:8) (ORadj = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.17-2.00) increased the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Concordance was associated with increased risk for stillbirth (ORadj = 2.86, 95%CI:1.36-6.00), preterm birth (PTB) (ORadj = 1.38,95%CI:1.02-1.87) and low birth weight (LBW) (ORadj = 1.55, 95%CI:1.13-2.11) compared with discordance. Even among treated women, concordance was associated with increased risk for stillbirth (ORadj = 3.26, 95%CI:1.45-7.31) and LBW (ORadj = 1.52, 95%CI:1.08-2.14). Among women with one treatment course, the risks for PTB(ORadj = 1.81, 95%CI:1.14-2.88) and LBW(ORadj = 2.08, 95%CI:1.28-3.38)were also higher among concordant couples than discordant couples. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences between concordant and discordant couples in risks of stillbirth (ORadj = 2.64, 95% CI: 0.98-7.05),PTB (ORadj = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.76-1.74), and LBW(ORadj = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.78-2.02) among women with two treatment courses. CONCLUSION: Male partner coinfection increased the risks for stillbirth, PTB and LBW, particularly when gestational syphilis treatment was suboptimal. However, this risk could be reduced by adequate treatment.

Prevalence, types, and malformations in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in newborns: a retrospective hospital-based study.

BACKGROUND: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUTs) are some of the most common birth defects affecting newborns. CAKUTs often have poor birth outcomes owing to the limited experience of physicians in developing countries regarding antenatal and postnatal diagnosis. We aimed to estimate the epidemiology of CAKUTs using data from a hospital-based registry in Zhejiang Province, China. METHODS: We included a total of 2790 newborns with CAKUTs, identified among 1,748,038 births during 2010-2016. The prevalence and type of CAKUTs, maternal and neonatal characteristics, and associated malformations were analyzed. RESULTS: The average prevalence of CAKUTs born to mothers overall and mothers aged ≥35 years were both around 1.60 per 1000 births (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.54-1.66; 95% CI, 1.44-1.83, respectively) during the study period. The prevalence of CAKUTs changed over time among all women and women of advanced maternal age, although no significant trends were observed. CAKUTs were more likely to occur in male than female newborns (odds ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% CI 1.18-1.38), in multiple births than singletons (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.21-1.92) and in urban areas than rural areas (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.18-1.37). The overall prenatal detection rate of CAKUTs was 73.87%. The average gestational age at antenatal diagnosis was 26.57 ± 8.70 weeks. A total 22.69% CAKUTs had associated malformations. Congenital heart defects were the most common anomalies, accounting for 8.89% of the whole population. The main proportion in subgroups was hydronephrosis, representing 31.79% of registered CAKUTs. CONCLUSIONS: There was a nearly twofold increase in the prevalence of CAKUTs from 2010 to 2016 in Zhejiang Province. CAKUTs are strongly associated with male sex, multiple births, urban areas, and other nonurinary congenital malformations.

Effects of pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on neonatal birth weight.

To evaluate the effects of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (pre-BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on neonatal birth weight (NBW) in the population of Chinese healthy pregnant women, attempting to guide weight control in pregnancy. A retrospective cohort study of 3772 Chinese women was conducted. The population was stratified by maternal pre-BMI categories as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5-23.9 kg/m2), overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m2), and obesity (≥28.0 kg/m2). The NBW differences were tested among the four groups, and then deeper associations among maternal pre-BMI, GWG, and NBW were investigated by multivariate analysis. NBW increased significantly with the increase of maternal pre-BMI level (P<0.05), except overweight to obesity (P>0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that both pre-BMI and GWG were positively correlated with NBW (P<0.05). Compared with normal pre-BMI, underweight predicted an increased odds ratio of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and decreased odds ratio for macrosomia and large-for-gestational-age (LGA), and the results were opposite for overweight. With the increase of GWG, the risk of SGA decreased and the risks of macrosomia and LGA increased. In addition, in different pre-BMI categories, the effects of weight gain in the first trimester on NBW were different (P<0.05). NBW is positively affected by both maternal pre-BMI and GWG, extreme pre-BMI and GWG are both associated with increased risks of abnormal birth weight, and maternal pre-BMI may modify the effect of weight gain in each trimester on NBW. A valid GWG guideline for Chinese women is an urgent requirement, whereas existing recommendations seem to be not very suitable for the Chinese.

Effectiveness of treatment to improve pregnancy outcomes among women with syphilis in Zhejiang Province, China.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of treatment in improving pregnancy outcomes among women with syphilis. METHODS: This is a retrospective study based on the provincial prevention of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis database. All women with syphilis with singleton pregnancies were recruited. We evaluated their pregnancy outcomes by group-specific analyses according to their treatment time and adequacy. RESULTS: The syphilis prevalence among pregnant women was 0.3% (4214/1 338 739) in Zhejiang Province, China, during 2013-2014, considering all live births and abortions. Women with singleton pregnancies (3767) were included in the study, including live births and stillbirths (≥28 weeks). The treatment coverage for all women with syphilis was 80.2% (3022/3767), and 68.2% (2062/3022) of the women were treated adequately. Of 745 infants born to untreated pregnant women with syphilis, 1.2% manifested pneumonia, 2.7% asphyxia, 1.6% birth defects, 3.8% congenital syphilis (CS), 14.2% were preterm, 10.1% had low birth weight (LBW) and 3.1% experienced perinatal death. The risks of asphyxia (OR=2.7), CS (OR=3.1), preterm birth (OR=1.5), LBW (OR=1.9) and perinatal death (OR=3.1) were much higher in infants born to mothers treated inadequately than from those treated adequately. Moreover, mothers with syphilis who initiated treatment in the third trimester suffered an increased risk for asphyxia (OR=3.0), CS (OR=6.0) and LBW (OR=1.7) compared with those who initiated treatment in the first trimester. CONCLUSIONS: Early and adequate treatment could improve the adverse pregnancy outcomes among women with syphilis.

[Maternal outcomes in pregnant women with pernicious placenta previa].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the maternal outcomes of pregnant women with pernicious placenta previa (PPP). METHODS: Clinical data of 470 patients with placenta previa admitted in Women's Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine from August 2012 to August 2014 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into pernicious group(n=101) and non-pernicious group(n=369) according to the history of cesarean section and location of placenta attached to the uterine. The general profiles, maternal outcomes of two groups were compared. RESULTS: The age, gravidity and rate of recurrent cavity surgery of pernicious group [(32.5 ± 4.1) y, 3.4 ± 1.2, 28.7%] were higher than those of non-pernicious group [(30.7 ± 4.5) y, 2.1 ± 1.4,13.6%] (P<0.05). The gestational age of pernicious group was (35.6 ± 2.7) weeks, less than that of non-pernicious group [(36.7 ± 2.7) weeks, P<0.001]. Rate of postpartum massive hemorrhage, rate of blood transfusion, rate of placental implantation and hysterectomy in pernicious and non-pernicious group were 29.7%, 35.6%, 27.7%, 11.9% and 8.1%, 10.8%, 5.7%, 0.8%, respectively (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that placenta accrete was significantly associated with postpartum massive hemorrhage in pernicious group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The awareness of the danger of pregnant women with PPP before operation and paying more attention to antenatal care are key measures to decrease the adverse maternal outcomes of pregnant women with placenta previa.

Progress in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in Zhejiang province, China, 2007-2013.

This is a retrospective study based on surveillance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type-1 (HIV-1) positive pregnant women and their children in China's Zhejiang Province. HIV counseling and testing, mother and infant characteristics, and outcomes are reported here. This study compares two principal periods, the period from 2007-2009 and the period from 2010 to 2013. The average rate of HIV counseling among pregnant women rose from 84.87% during the earlier period to 99.08% during the latter period. And the rate of HIV testing also rose significantly, from 80.60% to 98.58%. The HIV-1 prevalence among pregnant women increased slightly, from 0.01% to 0.02%. Over 70% of infected women were migrants. Half of these HIV-1 positive pregnant women were 20-30 years old. Significant differences in the characteristics of HIV-1 positive pregnant women were observed with time. The proportion of women who were employed increased dramatically from an average of 15.03% during 2007-2009 to an average of 31.34% during 2010-2013 and the proportion of women who had completed high school education increased from 0.52% to 6.51%. During 2007-2009, an average of 3.11% of these women was diagnosed before their pregnancies. During 2010-2013, this average reached to 32.53%. Sexual contact remained the primary route of transmission route during both periods, accounting for half of the infections. The proportion of women who had acquired HIV by blood transfusion declined noticeably. The proportion of mothers and children with antiretroviral therapy increased considerably over time. The overall mother-to-child transmission rate was found to be 7.14%. Although some progress has been made, further work should be performed, fostering early identification and timely therapy. Particular attention should be paid to health care of migrants.

[Relationship between blood lipid levels of pregnant women with glucose metabolism disorders and perinatal outcomes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between blood lipid levels of pregnant women with glucose metabolism disorders and the perinatal outcomes. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-eight pregnant women with glucose metabolism disorders were enrolled in this study, including 28 cases with diabetes mellitus (DM), 152 cases with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), 178 cases with gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT). Beckman-CX9 automatic biochemical analyzer was used to measure serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). RESULTS: (1) The TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in GDM group was (2.9 +/- 0.7), (6.7 +/- 1.9), (1.64 +/- 0.31), and (3.7 +/- 0.8) mmol/L, respectively, which were not significantly different from those in GIGT group [TG (2.7 +/- 0.7), TC (6.2 +/- 1.1), HDL-C (1.78 +/- 0.22), and LDL-C (3.8 +/- 0.9) mmol/L, respectively (P > 0.05)]. Maternal serum concentrations of TG and LDL-C were significantly increased in DM group [(3.6 +/- 0.9) and (4.8 +/- 0.6) mmol/L] compared with GIGT group [(2.7 +/- 0.7) and (3.8 +/- 0.9) mmol/L] and GDM group [(2.9 +/- 0.7) and (3.7 +/- 0.8) mmol/L] (P < 0.05). However, the HDL-C (1.24 +/- 0.19) mmol/L in DM group was significantly lower than that in GDM group (1.64 +/- 0.31) mmol/L and GIGT group (1.78 +/- 0.22) mmol/L (P < 0.05). (2) The incidence of pre-eclampsia and preterm labor in the DM group (35.7% and 39.3%) was higher than that in GIGT group (16.8% and 16.8%) and GDM group (14.5% and 19.7%, P < 0.05). Among the three groups, the incidence of polyhydramnios and premature rupture of membrane had no significant difference (P > 0.05). The incidence of fetal distress in the GIGT group (9.8%) was lower than that in DM group (20.2%) and GDM group (21.4%, P < 0.05). The incidence of fetal macrosomia in GDM group (11.2%) and GIGT group (14.4%) was higher than that in DM group (3.5%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The blood lipid level of pregnant women with glucose metabolism disorders is one of the effective indexes to prognosticate perinatal outcomes. Reducing blood lipid level can decrease the incidence of pre-eclampsia and preterm labor significantly.

[Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats. METHODS: Pregnant rats were divided into two groups randomly. Saline solution or L-nitro arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 125 mg/d was given subcutaneously from day 7 of gestation till establishing pre-eclampsia. Systolic blood pressure, urine protein, platelet count, and weight of pups and placenta were determined. The levels of VEGF in pregnant rats venous serum, placenta and decidual tissue from normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia rats were detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULT: Pregnant rats which were given L-NAME produced physical signs similar to those of pre-eclampsia, such as increase in systolic blood pressure [(145.3 +/-4.6)mmHg] and urine protein [(814.3 +/-57.5)mg/L], and decrease in platelet count [(467.1 +/-76.3) x 10(9)/L] and weight of pups and placenta. Compared with controls, the intensity of VEGF immunostaining in trophoblast or decidual cells were significantly reduced. The serum levels of VEGF were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia group than in normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Decreased serum levels of VEGF and reduced expression of VEGF in placental tissues might in part explain the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia in pregnant rats.

[Relationship between serum resistin level and preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the alteration of serum resistin levels in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. METHODS: Blood samples were take from 28 normal non-pregnant women, 27 women in the 1st, 26 in the 2nd and 26 in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy and 25 women with preeclampsia. Serum resistin concentration was determined using ELISA method. RESULT: Serum levels of resistin were not significantly different among non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). Serum resistin level was significantly elevated in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy as compared with non-pregnancy (P<0.01), the 1st (P<0.001) and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P<0.001). Serum resistin level was significantly lower in preeclampsia than in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy (P<0.001), but was comparable to that of non-pregnancy, the 1st and the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (P>0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: The decrease of serum resistin level in the preeclampsia may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the disease.