Is chlamydia pneumoniae infection a major risk factor for preeclampsia?

To study whether preeclampsia is related to seroprevalence of immunoglobulins [Ig]G and M antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, which is believed to be involved in the endothelial injury that marks atherosclerosis. Cross-sectional comparisons were made for 50 women with preeclampsia and 30 women with normal pregnancies at term. In these two groups, antibodies titers for IgG and IgM seroprevalence to C pneumoniae were compared. A titer of at least 1:16 was considered positive for IgG, where as a titer of at least 1:10 was considered positive for IgM. Odds ratios were the main measure used for the comparison. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to C pneumoniae at a titer of at least 1:16 were more common in women with preeclampsia [34 of 50, 68%] than in women with normal pregnancies [13 of 30, 43.3%], which is statistically significant [P<0.05]; [odds ratio 3.1; 95% confidence interval 1.2, 7.9]. This suggested a specific association between preeclampsia and Chlamydia pneumoniae that has been associated with atherosclerosis. However, positive titers for C pneumoniae IgM were not significantly more likely among preeclamptic women [3 preeclamptic women compared to no women with normal pregnancy]. At a cut off of 1:16, the risk of seropositivity to C pneumoniae was 3.1 [95% confidence interval 1.2, 7.9]. Odds ratios for antibody titers of 1:16 or 1:64, and at least 1:128 were 4.6, 3.1, and 2.6, respectively. This indicates a lack of higher risk of preeclampsia with higher titers of IgG antibodies to C pneumoniae. women with preeclampsia had an increased IgG seroprevalence to C pneumoniae. These preliminary data suggest a specific association between infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae and preeclampsia

Serum thyroglobulin, catecholamines and phospholipids in violent asphyxia, an experimental study on rats

Elevation of serum thyroglobulin [Tg], catecholamines, and phospholipids concentrations in the blood are regarded as vital reactions in asphyxial deaths which leave few or no external signs in the body. In this study, these vital reactions were tested under strict experimental conditions, employing rapid asphyxia. Forty adult albino rats of both sexes, of average weight 200 g., were used. Ten animals were used as a control group, the remaining animals were anaesthetized and strangled with a rope, 2 mm thick, tightened around the neck. At the moment of death, which was determined when the heart beat had faded about 3-4 minutes from the start of strangulation, blood samples were taken, centrifuged, and the serum thyroglobulin, catecholamines, and phospholipids were measured. The lungs were also investigated histologically to study the general microscopic structure of the asphyxiated lung. The results showed a significant increase in the concentration of thyroglobulin as compared to control [Tg = 14.44 ng/ml versus 2.97 ng/ml, P < 0.001]. The mean serum adrenaline [A] and noradrenaline [NA] concentrations were significantly higher in strangulation group as compared to control, [A = 8.07 ng/ml. vs. 3.18 ng/ml, P < 0.001]. The mean serum phospholipids concentration in the strangulated rats was 1.76 g/L versus 1.03 g/L in the controls, P < 0.001. Concerning the histological investigation, the lung showed emphysematous changes with collapse and tiny haemorrhages. The alveoli were distended and ruptured. The alveolar epithelium was thin, desquamated and over folded with increase of mucoid secretion. High levels of thyroglobulin, catecholamines, and phospholipids in the blood upon suffocation could thus be taken as indicators of hypoxia, and therefore can be included in the diagnosis of mechanical asphyxia

Evaluation of the effect of soybean on bone metabolism in the rat model with ovariectomized osteoporosis

Soybean is well known to have a wide variety of beneficial biological effects. In the present work we demonstrate another new beneficial action of soybean on bone metabolism. The effects of soybean on bone metabolism and skeletal growth were studied in mature intact and ovariectomized [Ovx] female rats. Experiment I was designed to observe the effect of soybean on bone metabolism in intact rats and included two groups: [1] intact control group [2] intact feeded on soybean. Experiment II was designed to investigate the effect of soybean on Ovx rats and included another two groups: [3] ovariectomized rats [4] ovariectomized feeded on soybean. After eight weeks, ovariectomy perse produced a significant increase in serum free calcium, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone hormone [PTH], osteocalcin and active vitamin D [1,25[OH]2D] with significant increase in urinary excretion of calcium and deoxypridinoline. Supplementation of Ovx rats with soybean reduced the increased serum ionized calcium, alkaline phosphatase, PTH while osteocalcin and 1,25 [OH]2D still increased accompanied with significant decrease in urinary excretion of calcium and deoxypridinoline. Alkaline phosphatase and serum osteocalcin significantly increased in intact rats supplemented with soybean while the other parameters showed insignificant changes. Our findings indicate that soybean is an estrogen agonist affecting bone metabolism in Ovx rats, however, its effect in intact rats is less