Anandamide Exerts a Differential Effect on Human Placenta Before and After the Onset of Labor.

The onset of labor involves the action of multiple factors and recent reports have postulated the endocannabinoid system as a new regulator of this process. Our objective was to study the role of anandamide, one of the main endocannabinoids, on the regulation of placental molecules that contribute to the onset of labor at term. Placental samples were obtained from patients with laboring vaginal deliveries and from non-laboring elective cesarean sections. Vaginal delivery placentas produced higher prostaglandins levels than cesarean section samples. Besides, no differences were observed in NOS basal activity between groups. Incubation of vaginal delivery placentas with anandamide increased prostaglandins concentration and decreased NOS activity. Antagonism of type-1cannabinoid receptor (CB1) did not alter the effect observed on NOS activity. Conversely, incubation of cesarean section placentas with anandamide reduced prostaglandins levels and enhanced NOS activity, the latter involving the participation of CB1. Furthermore, we observed a differential expression of the main components of the endocannabinoid system between placental samples, being the change in CB1 localization the most relevant finding. Our results suggest that anandamide acts as a modulator of the signals that regulate labor, exerting differential actions depending on CB1 localization in laboring or non-laboring term placentas.

Anandamide regulates oxytocin/oxytocin receptor system in human placenta at term.

Oxytocin plays a pivotal role in the regulation of human parturition, however its role and modulation in the placenta is not fully understood. Non-labour cesarean section placentas were cultured with the endocannabinoid anandamide. We observed an increase in placental oxytocin receptor expression and oxytocin release. We postulate anandamide as a relevant modulator of oxytocin system in the placenta at term.

Crosstalk Between Nitric Oxide and Endocannabinoid Signaling Pathways in Normal and Pathological Placentation.

Endocannabinoids are a group of endogenous lipid mediators that act as ligands of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors, activating multiple signal transduction pathways. Together with enzymes responsible for their synthesis and degradation, these compounds constitute the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is involved in different physiological processes in reproduction. The placenta, which is essential for the success of gestation and optimal fetal growth, undergoes constant tissue remodeling. ECS members are expressed in trophoblast cells, and current evidence suggests that this system is involved in placental development, apoptosis, and syncytialization. Impairment of endocannabinoid signaling has been associated with several pathological conditions such as intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia. Both clinical entities are characterized by dysregulation on vascular perfusion where nitrergic system performs a pivotal role. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent local vasodepressor that exerts a critical role in the regulation of hemodynamic flow, contributing to the maintenance of low vascular resistance in the feto-placental circulation. NO production could be affected by different factors and growing evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid mediators may regulate nitrergic signaling. Herein, we review emerging knowledge supporting ECS-mediated regulation of NO production in normal placentation. Finally, we discuss how alterations in these systems could affect homoeostasis and contribute to the occurrence of placental-mediated pregnancy complications. Given the impact on women and perinatal heath, we will focus on current knowledge regarding the effects of ECS on nitrergic system in normal and pathological placentation.

The role of intrauterine magnetic resonance in the management of myelomenigocele.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the management of myelomenigocele. BACKGROUND: Spinal dysraphism or neural tube defects (NTD) encompass a heterogeneous group of congenital spinal anomalies that result from the defective closure of the neural tube early in gestation. Myelomeningocele is the most common type of NTD that is compatible with life, with high survival rates but lifelong physical impairments. CONCLUSION: MRI is an important adjunct to ultrasound in assessing NTD, as it pertains to pre-surgical planning and perinatal management. However, it should not be considered a replacement for ultrasonography, which continues to be the gold standard for fetal anatomic evaluation.

TPRV-1 expression in human preeclamptic placenta.

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder unique to human pregnancy, characterized by abnormal placentation. Although its causes remain unclear, it is known that the expression of several transporters is altered. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) is a nonselective cation channel, present in human placenta. Here, we evaluated the expression of TRPV-1 in preeclamptic placentas. We observed a deregulation in TRPV-1 expression in these placentas which may explain the impaired Ca(2+) homeostasis found in preeclampsia.

Vascular complications in the diabetic pregnancy.

Long-standing hyperglycemia frequently leads to vasculopathy. Microvascular disease is characterized by retinopathy and nephropathy, while macrovascular involvement can affect coronary arteries. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy, when present, is generally associated with retinal and/or renal involvement. Early identification of these diabetic complications allows appropriate counseling and early treatment. Among women with diabetic vasculopathy, nephropathy, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and fetal growth restriction are frequently observed. Furthermore, women with impaired renal function in early pregnancy have increased risk of long-term deterioration of glomerular filtration rate. Proliferative retinopathy can progress during pregnancy and 1 year after delivery, but long-term effects are not likely to occur. When coronary artery disease or gastroparesis diabeticorum are present, excessive maternal and fetal morbidity is observed. When modern management is synchronized with early medical care, favorable maternal and perinatal outcomes can be expected.

Gestational diabetes: the need for a common ground.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is a substantial and growing health concern in many parts of the world. Certain populations are especially vulnerable to developing this condition because of genetic, social, and environmental factors. Gestational diabetes has serious, long-term consequences for both baby and mother, including a predisposition to obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes later in life. Early detection and intervention can greatly improve outcomes for women with this condition and their babies. Unfortunately, screening and diagnostic tests are not uniform worldwide, which could lead not only to underdiagnosis but also undermanagement of the illness. Here, we report the controversies surrounding the causes, screening, diagnosis, management, and prevention of gestational diabetes, and give specific recommendations for research studies to address the major issues of this medical condition.

Secretory and cytosolic phospholipase A2 activities and expression are regulated by oxytocin and estradiol during labor.

The release of arachidonic acid from membrane glycerophospholipids through the action of phospholipases (PLs) is the first step in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (PGs). In reproductive tissues, the most important PLs are cytosolic PLA(2) (cPLA(2)) and types IIA and V of the secretory isoform (sPLA(2)). The aim of this work was to investigate the role of ovarian steroid hormones and oxytocin (OT) in the regulation of rat uterine PLA(2) activity and expression during pregnancy and labor. The activity of sPLA(2) increased near labor, whereas cPLA(2) activity augmented towards the end of gestation. The levels of sPLA(2) IIA and cPLA(2) mRNA showed an increase before labor (P<0.05, day 21), whereas sPLA(2) V mRNA was not regulated during pregnancy. The administration of atosiban (synthetic OT antagonist) together with tamoxifen (antagonist of estrogen receptors) was able to decrease cytosolic and secretory PLA(2) activities, diminish the expression of sPLA(2) IIA and cPLA(2), as well as decrease PGF(2 alpha) production before the onset of labor (P<0.01). The ovarian steroid did not affect PLA(2) during pregnancy. Collectively, these findings indicate that in the rat uterus, both 17beta-estradiol and OT could be regulating the activity and the expression of the secretory and the cytosolic isoforms of PLA(2), thus controlling PGF(2 alpha) synthesis prior to the onset of labor.

Periconceptional care of women with diabetes mellitus.

Pregestational diabetes is a common complication of pregnancy that can be associated with severe maternal and fetal morbidity. In addition, some women could have progression of diabetic complications secondary to pregnancy. Preconception care can significantly reduce pregnancy complications with a dramatic impact on the diabetic mother and her infant. For those women whose condition could be hastened by conception education, better understanding and an improved decision should be available to them and their families. Because unplanned pregnancy is common among diabetic women, they should be counseled early for the importance of preconception care in the progression of this disease.

Hypertension and the pregnancy complicated by diabetes.

Diabetes is a frequent complication of pregnancy. Type 1 diabetes is associated with an increased incidence of preeclampsia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. When renal dysfunction is present, the incidence of these complications is remarkably increased. White's class, poor glycemic control during the first half of pregnancy, and early blood pressure elevation are also independent risk factors for developing preeclampsia. Whether gestational diabetes increases the background incidence of preeclampsia is still debated. Because therapeutic interventions such as low-dose aspirin and antioxidants have not been shown to be effective, preventive measures rely on tight blood glucose control, as well as adequate blood pressure treatment.

Third trimester glycemic profiles and fetal growth.

Diabetes is a common complication of pregnancy. Third trimester hyperglycemia has been associated in both gestational and pregestational diabetes with deviant fetal growth. Recent studies demonstrated that peak postprandial glucose levels in normal pregnancy are lower than previously thought. This finding could explain the lack of effectiveness reported by some investigators in achieving a rate of macrosomia similar to the general population. Among different possible blood glucose determinations, it appears that 1-hour postprandial as well as the overall mean blood glucose levels are the most closely correlated with fetal growth. It seems that a narrow window of glycemic levels is associated with optimal fetal growth because excessively tight glycemic control has been associated with increased incidence of small-for-gestational-age infants.

A prospective randomized safety trial of celecoxib for treatment of preterm labor.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the safety of celecoxib, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor, with the safety of the nonselective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, when it was administered for treatment of preterm labor. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 24 pregnant women in preterm labor at 24 to 34 weeks of gestation received either indomethacin or celecoxib for 48 hours. Clinical assessment, fetal sonography, and Doppler blood flow studies of the fetal ductus arteriosus were performed daily. RESULTS: Mean maximum ductal flow velocity was significantly elevated over baseline (82.9 +/- 4.6 cm/s vs 111.14 +/- 14.3 cm/s; P =.02) after 24 hours of indomethacin, but not celecoxib. Both medications were associated with a transient decrease in amniotic fluid volume, with a greater effect by indomethacin. The medications were equally effective in the maintenance of tocolysis. There were no significant maternal or neonatal adverse events. CONCLUSION: In this initial evaluation, the safety of short-term celecoxib in women with preterm labor was superior to that of indomethacin.

Tratamiento del SIL de alto grado por excisión electroquirúrgica con asa diatérmica / Management of high grade to SIL for excision electrosurgical with diathermy loop

Analizar el diagnóstico, tratamiento morbilidad y seguimiento de pacientes tratadas por excisión electroquirúrgica con asa de la zona de transformación entera. Población de 30 pacientes con diagnóstico previo de SIL de ALTO GRADO. Diagnóstico histopatológico en 28 pacientes de SIL de alto grado y 2 pacientes con invasión inicial del estroma menor de 1 mm. La calidad del material obtenido fue bueno en 28 pacientes. En el seguimiento promedio de 18 meses solo 1 paciente presentó un diagnóstico histopatológico de SIL de bajo grado. La excisión electroquirúrgica con asa es tan efectiva como otros métodos de excisión y/o destrucción en el tratamiento ambulatorio de la neoplasia intraepitelial

Tratamiento del SIL de alto grado por excisión electroquirúrgica con asa diatérmica / Management of high grade to SIL for excision electrosurgical with diathermy loop

Analizar el diagnóstico, tratamiento morbilidad y seguimiento de pacientes tratadas por excisión electroquirúrgica con asa de la zona de transformación entera. Población de 30 pacientes con diagnóstico previo de SIL de ALTO GRADO. Diagnóstico histopatológico en 28 pacientes de SIL de alto grado y 2 pacientes con invasión inicial del estroma menor de 1 mm. La calidad del material obtenido fue bueno en 28 pacientes. En el seguimiento promedio de 18 meses solo 1 paciente presentó un diagnóstico histopatológico de SIL de bajo grado. La excisión electroquirúrgica con asa es tan efectiva como otros métodos de excisión y/o destrucción en el tratamiento ambulatorio de la neoplasia intraepitelial (AU)