Decreased myometrial beta-adrenoceptors in women receiving beta 2-adrenergic tocolytic therapy: correlation with lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptors.

We have determined simultaneously the density of beta-adrenoceptors in human myometria (by (-)-[125I]iodopindolol binding) derived from 36 women undergoing cesarean section and in the corresponding circulating lymphocytes (by (-)-[125I]iodocyanopindolol binding). In myometrial membranes about 80% to 85% of the beta-adrenoceptors were of the beta 2-subtype. The density of myometrial and lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptors in women treated with the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist hexoprenaline to prevent preterm labor was about 65% to 70% lower than that in nontreated women. Concomitantly, in hexoprenaline-treated women the 10 mumol/L isoproterenol-evoked increase in lymphocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate content (as index for lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness) was diminished to a similar extent. Combining all data resulted in a significant positive correlation between myometrial and lymphocyte beta-adrenoceptor densities (r = 0.7303; n = 36; p less than 0.001). It is possible that determination of beta-adrenoceptor function in circulating lymphocytes may be a useful model to monitor myometrial beta-adrenoceptor changes during tocolytic therapy.

[Bacterial vaginal fluor in intrauterine contraception]. / Bakterieller Fluor bei intrauteriner Kontrazeption.

Vaginal swabs obtained from 100 IUD-users were examined bacteriologically. Fifty-one women had vaginal discharge and 49 women used as control group had no complaints originating either from the IUD or from the genital tract. In the group of IUD-users with vaginal discharge the number of bacterial isolates was higher and the cultures were more diversified. The nulliparous patients in this group exhibited more anaerobic cultures than the IUD-users without discharge. The significance of vaginal discharge in IUD-users is its function as a pool for pathogenic bacteria which may provoke and/or maintain inflammatory diseases of the female genital tract. IUD-users with vaginal discharge do therefore need not only bacteriologic diagnosis, but also consequent treatment of the discharge.

PIP: Examinations for vaginal bacteria were given to 100 IUD users. 51 of the patients had fluor vaginalis (32 nulliparae), and 49 of the patients did not have fluor vaginalis (19 nulliparae). In 87 cases, potentially or definitely pathogenic bacteria were found. Anerobic bacteria colonies tended to occur more often among the nulliparae than among the multiparae. Bacteria were found slightly more often among the patients with fluor vaginalis, as was an increase in the diversity of the bacteria. IUD users with fluor vaginalis should be treated in order to avoid possible pelvic inflammation of the genital tract.

Diffusable proteins of the mucosa of the human cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes: distribution and variations during the menstrual cycle.

The secretory proteins of the mucosa of the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes were investigated by measuring the proteins that were released by isolated mucosal areas. Initial screening disclosed that the immunoglobulins IgG and IgA were released in measurable quantities, but that IgM and the secretory (T) piece of IgA were either absent or present only in trace amounts. Relatively low levels of diffusable total complement activity and the C3 component of complement were present, whereas the C1q, C1r, and C4 components were either absent or present only in trace quantities. No neutral proteinase activity was present, but lysozyme, plasminogen activator, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and alpha 1x-antichymotrypsin could be found in reasonable amounts. The site of secretion, concentration, and cyclic variation of the proteins that diffused from the mucosal sites in measurable quantities were studied. The types and amounts of protein secreted by a particular site in the cervix, uterus, or fallopian tube varied from those of protein from other sites, even within the same organ. During the menstrual cycle, variations occurred in the amount of protein secreted by each mucosal site. However, whether an increase or a decrease in the release of a particular protein took place varied with each protein, even at the same site. The mucosal sites also differed from each other in their response to the phase of the menstrual cycle, that is, whether more or less protein was released, even sites within the same organ. The conclusion is that each organ and even different sites within an organ can respond independently from each other to changes in hormone levels, producing different types and amounts of secretory proteins. The amount of diffusable protein produced by an individual site during the menstrual cycle depends on the type of protein as well as the mucosal site.