EFFECT OF ACTH AND DEXAMETHASONE ON THE DIURNAL RHYTHM OF UNCONJUGATED OESTRIOL IN PREGNANCY

1978 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 820-827 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Reck ◽  
H. Nowostawskyj ◽  
M. Breckwoldt
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Diurnal Rhythm ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Acth Secretion ◽  
Back Action ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
In Pregnancy

ABSTRACT The present study is concerned with the role of maternal cortisol in regulating diurnal rhythm of unconjugated oestriol in 9 pregnant women. Blood was drawn at 30 min intervals between 5 p. m. and 3 a. m. In 5 patients endogenous ACTH-secretion was simultaneously suppressed by 12 mg dexamethasone over 48 h. Between 8 p. m. and 2 a. m., 0.25 mg ACTH1-24 (Synacthen®) was infused into the subjects. Free oestriol was measured by radioimmunoassay, and the total plasma cortisol by the protein binding method. Patients without dexamethasone demonstrated high oestriol levels (21.5 ± 9 ng/ml) and episodic secretion between 5 p. m. and 8 p. m. At the same time cortisol concentrations were relatively low (274.1 ± 66 ng/ml). Ninety min after starting ACTH-infusion, plasma oestriol decreased in negative correlation to rising cortisol (r = −0.916, P < 0.001). Between 11 p. m. and 2 a. m. oestriol levels were significantly below the control values (12.9 ± 3 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and were associated with high cortisol levels (887 ± 312 ng/ml). Episodic oestriol production did not occur during the period of elevated cortisol levels. Under dexamethasone both oestriol (2.1 ± 1.2 ng/ml) and cortisol values (36.5 ± 24 ng/ml) were markedly suppressed. Only cortisol production could be stimulated during ACTH-infusion (374 ± 80 ng/ml), whereas oestriol concentration remained in the range of the controls (1.91 ± 0.5 ng/ml). These results suggest that diurnal rhythm of unconjugated oestriol is predominantly regulated by feed-back action of maternal cortisol on the foetal hypothalamus.

Plasma cortisol-binding capacity in mental illness

1973 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. King
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Affective Disorder ◽  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Binding Capacity ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Total Plasma ◽  
Cortisol Levels

SynopsisPlasma cortisol-binding capacity (CBC) was determined in 18 psychiatric patients, including 14 who had affective disorders, and 18 controls. Men with unipolar depressive illnesses had significantly lower CBC values than men with bipolar illnesses and male controls. No other significant differences in CBC values were found and it was concluded that elevated total plasma cortisol levels in affective disorder were probably associated with increased levels of unbound cortisol. The possibility that low CBC values may be a genetic marker for certain types of affective disorder requires further investigation. The effect of certain drugs on CBC was also investigated.

PROTEIN BINDING OF CORTISOL IN HEALTH AND IN PREGNANCY

1961 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOLLIE BOOTH ◽  
P. F. DIXON ◽  
C. H. GRAY ◽  
J. M. GREENAWAY ◽  
N. J. HOLNESS
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Equilibrium Constants ◽  
Qualitative Difference ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Normal Men ◽  
Mean Concentration ◽  
In Pregnancy

SUMMARY The binding of plasma cortisol to transcortin at 37° c was studied in normal men and in non-pregnant and pregnant women. The mean concentrations of transcortin were 8, 11·5 and 14 × 10−7 moles/l. and the percentages of the binding sites occupied by cortisol were 45, 24 and 40%, respectively. The mean values of the equilibrium constants were 2·9, 1·8 and 4·6 × 107 l./mole, suggesting that there might be a qualitative difference in transcortin from the three groups. The mean concentration of diffusible cortisol was 1·12 μg./100 ml. in men and 0·65 μg./100 ml. in non-pregnant and pregnant women. The significance of these findings is discussed.

MEASUREMENT OF PLASMA CORTISOL LEVELS IN THE EEL ANGUILLA ANGUILLA IN RELATION TO OSMOTIC ADJUSTMENTS

1971 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. BALL ◽  
I. CHESTER JONES ◽  
M. E. FORSTER ◽  
G. HARGREAVES ◽  
E. F. HAWKINS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cortisol ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Anguilla Anguilla ◽  
Plasma Cortisol Level ◽  
Hormonal Control ◽  
Total Cortisol ◽  
Competitive Protein Binding ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Cortisol Levels

SUMMARY The competitive protein-binding radioassay (CPB method) of Murphy (1967) has been adapted to determine total cortisol levels in the plasma of the eel, Anguilla anguilla L. Validation of the method for this species depended in part on the development of a chromatographic—fluorimetric technique for eel cortisol, following classical procedures and using radioactive tracers; by this means, the specificity of the CPB method for cortisol in eel plasma was established. Accuracy, precision and sensitivity of the CPB method were also investigated and were shown to be satisfactory. Plasma total cortisol levels were determined in eels during osmotic adjustments after transfers from fresh water (FW) to sea-water (SW) and vice versa, and from FW to distilled water. Plasma osmotic pressure and/or sodium levels were monitored simultaneously, to follow the progress of osmotic regulation. In only one of the transfer situations did the plasma cortisol level change significantly, showing a marked transitory increase during the first few days after transfer from FW to SW, corresponding to the development and correction of an 'osmotic crisis'. Plasma cortisol levels were the same in eels adapted for long periods to FW and to SW. Plasma cortisol fell to extremely low levels after hypophysectomy. These results are discussed in the light of the literature on hormonal control of osmoregulatory mechanisms in the eel, with particular emphasis on the role of adrenocorticosteroids in ionic regulation of animals in SW.

scholarly journals The role of arterial hypertension in the development of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnancy

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 508-514
Author(s):  
M. L. Chukhlovina ◽  
S. E. Medvedev
Keyword(s):  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Angiogenic Factors ◽  
Coagulation System ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
In Pregnancy

Nowadays, the risk factors, improvement of diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases are of particular interest. Arterial hypertension (HTN) is known to contribute to cardiovascular disease and to be a risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. HTN during pregnancy and in the postpartum period draws particular attention. Throughout the world, hypertension during pregnancy remains the leading cause of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. To our knowledge, only a few works studied neurological disorders associated with HTN in pregnant women. In this connection, the purpose of our review was to analyze the role of HTN in the development of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnancy. Pregnant women with HTN show 5,2-fold higher frequency of strokes than normotensive women. The risk of stroke increases from the third trimester of pregnancy to six weeks of the postpartum period. The pregnant women with HTN develop changes in the coagulation system leading to the formation of arterial and venous thromboses in the cerebrovascular circulation. The presence of preeclampsia (PE) is associated with the 7–9-fold increase in the risk of stroke. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the leading links in the pathogenesis of PE. The PE is associated with an increase in anti-angiogenic factors and a decrease in angiogenic factors. Thus, the measures preventing the development of cerebrovascular diseases in pregnant women with HTN, include identification of prehypertension in women of childbearing age, the improvement of HTB management strategies, and an interdisciplinary approach to the diagnostic and treatment process involving the obstetrician, the therapist, the cardiologist and the neurologist.

scholarly journals The role of hepcidin in the main iron-deficiency syndromes in pregnancy

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 96-103
Author(s):  
M Ayari ◽  
V G Demikhov ◽  
I M Mirov ◽  
E N Zinovyeva ◽  
O N Zhourina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Iron Deficiency ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Anemia During Pregnancy ◽  
Mixed Origin ◽  
Main Regulator ◽  
In Pregnancy

Currently, there is evidence that hepcidin is the main regulator of iron metabolism in human and pathogenesis key factor for anemia of inflammation. However, the role of hepcidin in multifactorial pathogenesis of anemia in pregnancy is not clear. We presented the results of the laboratory examinations of 78 pregnant women sera in hepcidin, ferritin, erythropoietin during pregnancy, and 116 sera of pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of mixed origin. The obtained data indicate a statistically significant decrease in the mean hepcidin concentration in pregnants versus non pregnant women. Mean hepcidin level in pregnant women with IDA was decreased, compared with anemia of mixed origin pregnants (p<0.0001). Evaluation of hepcidin concentrations may be useful laboratory test for differential diagnostic of anemia during pregnancy and for determination of optimal therapeutic option between oral iron, parenteral iron or using erythropoiesis -stimulating agents (ESAs) in combination with iron products.

scholarly journals Role of pregnancy and female sex steroids on aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture: a systematic review of the literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milli Desai ◽  
Arvin R. Wali ◽  
Harjus S. Birk ◽  
David R. Santiago-Dieppa ◽  
Alexander A. Khalessi
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysm ◽  
Sex Steroids ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Cerebral Aneurysms ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
In Pregnancy

OBJECTIVEWomen have been shown to have a higher risk of cerebral aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture than men. The authors present a review of the recently published neurosurgical literature that studies the role of pregnancy and female sex steroids, to provide a conceptual framework with which to understand the various risk factors associated with cerebral aneurysms in women at different stages in their lives.METHODSThe PubMed database was searched for “(“intracranial” OR “cerebral”) AND “aneurysm” AND (“pregnancy” OR “estrogen” OR “progesterone”)” between January 1980 and February 2019. A total of 392 articles were initially identified, and after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 papers were selected for review and analysis. These papers were then divided into two categories: 1) epidemiological studies about the formation, growth, rupture, and management of cerebral aneurysms in pregnancy; and 2) investigations on female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms (animal studies and epidemiological studies).RESULTSThe 20 articles presented in this study include 7 epidemiological articles on pregnancy and cerebral aneurysms, 3 articles reporting case series of cerebral aneurysms treated by endovascular therapies in pregnancy, 3 epidemiological articles reporting the relationship between female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms through retrospective case-control studies, and 7 experimental studies using animal and/or cell models to understand the relationship between female sex steroids and cerebral aneurysms. The studies in this review report similar risk of aneurysm rupture in pregnant women compared to the general population. Most ruptured aneurysms in pregnancy occur during the 3rd trimester, and most pregnant women who present with cerebral aneurysm have caesarean section deliveries. Endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms in pregnancy is shown to provide a new and safe form of therapy for these cases. Epidemiological studies of postmenopausal women show that estrogen hormone therapy and later age at menopause are associated with a lower risk of cerebral aneurysm than in matched controls. Experimental studies in animal models corroborate this epidemiological finding; estrogen deficiency causes endothelial dysfunction and inflammation, which may predispose to the formation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms, while exogenous estrogen treatment in this population may lower this risk.CONCLUSIONSThe aim of this work is to equip the neurosurgical and obstetrical/gynecological readership with the tools to better understand, critique, and apply findings from research on sex differences in cerebral aneurysms.

The role of proper maternal nutrition during pregnancy for caries prevention in both mother and child. Opinion of the working group of the Polish Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future on dental prophylaxis in pregnant women

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Chałas ◽  
Angelika Kobylińska ◽  
Magdalena Kukurba-Setkowicz ◽  
Anna Szulik ◽  
Elżbieta Pels
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternal Nutrition ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Caries Prevention ◽  
World Health ◽  
Dental Prophylaxis ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
In Pregnancy

Introduction. Proper nutrition in pregnancy has effects on the health and well-being of the mother as well as is a key factor responsible for foetal growth and development, which are initiated at conception and last throughout pregnancy. Aim. The aim of the paper was to present relevant data on the role of prenatal maternal nutrition for caries prevention in both mother and child. Material and methods. Pubmed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, guidelines of dental associations and World Health Organization were searched using the following keywords: “diet”, “dentition”, “pregnancy”, “oral health in pregnancy”. Results. The diet of a pregnant woman should be well-balanced and rich in proteins, calcium, phosphorus, fluorine and vitamins (A, C and D). Women should avoid sneaks between meals or at night to avoid dental plaque accumulation and oral pH decrease. Balanced nutrition influences the development of future nutritional habits of the child as taste receptors begin to develop already at month 4 of pregnancy. High maternal consumption of confectionery in this period may in the future increase the child’s tendency to consume sweet food products. Conclusions. There is a need to intensify dental prophylaxis among pregnant women through introduction and promotion of proper nutrition in dental offices, up-dating teaching programs for dental hygienists and education in birth schools.

Diagnosis and therapy of bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira Valentinovna Shalepo ◽  
Veronika Viktorovna Nazarova ◽  
Yuliya Nikolayevna Menukhova ◽  
Yelena Vasilyevna Shipitsyna ◽  
Alevtina Mikhailovna Savicheva
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Bacterial Vaginosis ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Women Of Reproductive Age ◽  
Diagnosis And Therapy ◽  
In Pregnancy

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal disorder in women of reproductive age. This review presents literature data regarding a role of BV in adverse reproductive health outcomes, describes current methods used for BV diagnosis and issues of treatment of this disease in pregnant women.

Gastrointestinal hormones and cortisol in normal pregnant women and women with gestational diabetes

1986 ◽  
Vol 113 (3_Suppl) ◽  
pp. S24-S26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Hornnes ◽  
Claus Kühl
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gastrointestinal Hormones ◽  
Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide ◽  
Normal Pregnancy ◽  
Glucose Ingestion ◽  
Cortisol Levels ◽  
Normal Women ◽  
In Pregnancy

Abstract. In pregnancy the secretion of a number of gastro-enteropancreatic hormones is considerably altered. These changes might be involved in the gestational modification of gastrointestinal physiology. The enteral stimulation of insulin secretion (the incretin effect) is diminished in pregnancy – both when determined indirectly and when the gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) response to glucose ingestion is considered. Whether this is important for the deterioration of glucose tolerance in pregnancy is uncertain. In gestational diabetics similar findings as in normal pregnant women were obtained except that the GIP response to glucose ingestion was smaller and the GIP response to lipid ingestion greater than in normal women. It is, however, unlikely that these differences are responsible for the development of gestational diabetes. Significant positive correlations were found between the increase of plasma cortisol levels during normal pregnancy and the concomitant decrease in glucose tolerance indicating that the increased cortisol levels might be involved in the development of the insulin resistance found in normal pregnancy.

scholarly journals Investigation of Blood Pressure during the First Trimester of Pregnancy in relation to the MTHFR C677T Polymorphism

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Psara ◽  
E. O'Sullivan ◽  
K. Pentieva ◽  
M. Ward ◽  
G. Horigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
First Trimester ◽  
Functional Assay ◽  
C677t Polymorphism ◽  
Genotype Group ◽  
Lower Status ◽  
Riboflavin Status ◽  
In Pregnancy

AbstractThe common C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene encoding the folate-metabolising enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase is implicated in hypertension and hypertension in pregnancy. Hypertension affects up to 15% of all pregnancies and has been identified as a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. We previously reported higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) in non-pregnant women with the variant MTHFR 677TT genotype compared to CT/CC genotypes. In addition, randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in non-pregnant hypertensive adults from our Centre demonstrated that supplemental riboflavin (co-factor for MTHFR) lowers BP specifically in those with the TT genotype. However, the role of this common folate polymorphism and its interaction with riboflavin during pregnancy remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MTHFR genotype and riboflavin status on BP in pregnancy. Data were generated from the ongoing Optimal Nutrition for the Prevention of Hypertension (OptiPREG) project. Pregnant women were recruited at the end of the first trimester from antenatal clinics in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. Participants were screened for MTHFR genotype and BP was measured according to current clinical guidelines. Biomarker status of riboflavin was determined using the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRac), a functional assay with higher EGRac values representing a lower status. Overall, 117 (11.6%) participants were identified with the variant MTHFR 677TT genotype. Both systolic and diastolic BP decreased from 8th to 16th gestational week (GW), however, this typical BP pattern was not observed in the TT genotype group. After adjusting for maternal age, GW and body mass index, women with the TT genotype at 12th GW had higher mean systolic (P 0.035) and diastolic (P 0.034) BP. When the results at the 12th GW were stratified by riboflavin status, the BP phenotype owing to this polymorphism was evident only among women with lower status (i.e. EGRac > 1.30), with mean (SEM) systolic BP of 120.4 (3.1) mmHg compared to 112.6 (2.5) mmHg in those with higher status (EGRac ≤ 1.30) within the TT genotype group; in contrast, low versus high riboflavin status had no impact on BP in CT/CC genotype groups. These results suggest that MTHFR genotype influences BP during pregnancy and that riboflavin can exert an important modulating effect on BP in women with TT genotype. An RCT is required to fully investigate the role of MTHFR genotype and its interactive effect with riboflavin in BP during pregnancy.

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