sFlt-1/PlGF and Doppler ultrasound parameters in SGA pregnancies with confirmed neonatal birth weight below 10th percentile.

We explored whether there was a relationship between the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in early-late and late-onset SGA patients and whether it is associated with neonatal birth weight. MATERIAL/METHODS: 110 patients who were diagnosed with a fetal weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age and who at the same time delivered neonates with a birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age. For each of the patients sFlt-1, PlGF and the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio were studied and uterine artery (UtA) and umbilical artery (UA) Doppler were performed. RESULTS: sFlt-1/PlGF ratios and neonatal birth weight which showed significant negative correlation across the entire population studied (R = -0.46, p < 0.001). In late-onset SGA patients this negative correlation was observed, as well (R = -0.54, p < 0.001) In the group of patients with pregnancies older than 34 weeks and an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio ≥38, we observed a significantly lower neonatal birth weight when compared to the same gestational age group with an sFlt-1/PlGF ratio <38 (2045 g vs 2405 g, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Late-onset SGA syndromes are characterized by lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratios, which indicates a lower degree of placental function impairment. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be a predictor of more significant growth disorders and a lower neonatal birth weight. The sFlt-1/PlGF ratio can be helpful in distinguishing between disordered angiogenesis-dependent and other causes of late-onset SGA cases.

[Rapid assessment of the IL-6 cervico-vaginal fluid level in threatening preterm labor]. / Szybka ocena stezenia IL-6 w wydzielinie szyjkowo-pochwowej w zagrazajacym porodzie przedwczesnym.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to check the cervico-vaginal fluid IL-6 levels using rapid, quantitive test in patients with threatening preterm labor before and after tocolytic treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty seven singular pregnant women, between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation, were included into the clinical trial. 35 women who were admitted to the Department due to clinical symptoms of threatened preterm labor formed the study group. 32 women between 24 and 36 gestational week, with uncomplicated pregnancy formed the control group. Levels of IL-6 were measured just after material collection, using fast, quantitative spectrofotometric test. RESULTS: The cervico-vaginal IL-6 level was higher in the study group (458 pg/mL vs 123 pg/mL; p < 0.05). A significant reduction of cervico-vaginal IL-6 level was observed after two days of tocolytic treatment. CONCLUSION: A bedside, quantitative spectrofotometric method allows for a quick and repeatable assessment of cervico-vaginal IL-6 levels to establish the risk of preterm labor as well as enables the monitoring of the effectiveness of tocolytic treatment.

Leptin levels in serum depending on Body Mass Index in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.

UNLABELLED: Leptin levels in serum depending on Body Mass Index (BMI) in patients with endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. OBJECTIVES: Concentrations of leptin, a hormone secreted by white adipose tissue, correlate strongly with body mass. Leptin interacts with several other hormones, modifies the activities of some enzymes and proinflammatory cytokines, participates in hematopoiesis, thermogenesis, and angiogenesis, and is involved in the control of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. This study was undertaken to determine whether serum concentrations of leptin in obese patients with endometrial hyperplasia and cancer deviate from values in patients with normal endometrium. STUDY DESIGN: We enrolled 86 obese postmenopausal women, including 40 with endometrial cancer and hyperplasia and 46 with normal endometrium. Depending on BMI, three subgroups were formed: I<30; II = 30-40; III > 40. Leptin concentrations were measured with immunoenzymatic test kits from IBL. Statistical comparison was done with the chi square (chi(2)) test and Statistica software package. RESULTS: Mean serum concentration of leptin in endometrial cancer and hyperplasia was 16737.1 pg/ml as opposed to 9048.7 pg/ml in patients without endometrial pathology (p<0.0001). Significantly, higher concentrations of leptin were noted in every BMI subgroup of patients with endometrial pathology in comparison to controls (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Leptin appears to participate in proliferative processes of the endometrium. Obesity is an important risk factor in endometrial cancer.