ABSTRACT
CG 10-248 (3,4-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-9-chloro-2H-naphtho[1,2b]pyran-5,6-dione; CG-NQ), a beta-lapachone analogue, modified the ultrastructure of rat hepatocytes, as demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. After 4 h incubation with 100 microM CG-NQ, the following effects were observed: (a) nuclear chromatin condensation; (b) chromatin fragmentation; (c) displacement of mitochondria, concentrated around the nucleus; (d) disruption or expansion of mitochondrial outer or inner membranes, respectively; (e) displacement and alteration of endoplasmic reticulum (rough and smooth); (f) decrease of microvilli; (g) blebbing of plasma membrane and production of apoptotic bodies formed by folding of plasma membrane fragments around mitochondria or peroxysomes; and (h) production of hydrogen peroxide. Expression of such effects varied according to hepatocyte samples and taken together strongly support an apoptotic action of CG-NQ dependent on reactive oxygen species.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Apoptosis/drug effects , Hepatocytes/drug effects , Naphthoquinones/pharmacology , Naphthoquinones/toxicity , Apoptosis/physiology , Cells, Cultured , Chromatin/drug effects , Chromatin/pathology , Cell Surface Extensions/drug effects , Cell Surface Extensions/pathology , Cell Surface Extensions/ultrastructure , DNA Fragmentation/drug effects , DNA Fragmentation/physiology , Hepatocytes/metabolism , Hepatocytes/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron , Intracellular Membranes/drug effects , Intracellular Membranes/pathology , Intracellular Membranes/ultrastructure , Microvilli/drug effects , Microvilli/pathology , Microvilli/ultrastructure , Mitochondria/drug effects , Mitochondria/pathology , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Hydrogen Peroxide/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Endoplasmic Reticulum/drug effects , Endoplasmic Reticulum/pathology , Endoplasmic Reticulum/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Fortunately cervical pregnancy, an ectopic gestation that frequently represents obstetric urgency, is a rare entity. We present here the case of a woman who developed cervical pregnancy despite no risk factor associated with ectopic pregnancy was identified. The patient came to the office because of primary sterility of 4 years of evolution. Among her background she reported previous cervical surgery due to benign pathology. She reached pregnancy after medical and surgical treatment. In the week eleven of gestation, the patient presented to the hospital with clinical symptoms of abortion. An ultrasound revealed abdominal pregnancy. Laparotomy was "white", cervix was found enlarged with the external orifice closed, suggesting cervical pregnancy. Conservative treatment consisted in cervical evacuation, endometrial curettage and vaginal tampon. She evolved satisfactorily. We do not know about any previous report of cervical-pregnancy associated with cervical surgery and sterility. We also recognize the need to increase the number of similar cases to generalize results. Thus, it is important to highlight in this case the absence of known risk factors for cervical pregnancy and the background of cervical surgery and sterility. Therefore, we recommend to search for antecedents of cervical surgery and sterility when cervical pregnancy is suspected.