Adverse effects of 4-tert-octylphenol on the production of oxytocin and hCG in pregnant rats / 한국실험동물학회지

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous substances that alter the structure or function of the endocrine system. 4-Tert-octylphenol (OP) is one of the most representative EDCs and has estrogenic effects. In this study, we examined the effects of ethinyl estradiol (EE) and OP on the pituitary gland, placenta, and uterus of pregnant rats. Expression levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), oxytocin (OT), and contraction-associated proteins (CAPs) were determined, and uterine contractile activity was measured by uterine contraction assay. EE and OP both increased mRNA expression of OT and hCG in the pituitary gland but not the placenta. Since OT and hCG control uterine contraction, we next examined CAP expression in the uterus. Expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin-dehydrogenase (PGDH) was upregulated by OP, whereas expression of other CAPs was unaffected. To clarify the effect of OP on uterine contraction in pregnant rats, uterine contraction assay was performed. The 17beta-Estradiol (E2) did not affect contraction of primary uterine cells harvested from pregnant rats in a 3D collagen gel model. However, OP showed different effects from E2 by significantly reducing contraction activity. In summary, we demonstrated that OP interferes with regulation of OT and hCG in the pituitary gland as well as PGDH in the uterus, thereby reducing uterine contraction activity. This result differs from the action of endogenous E2. Collectively, these findings suggest that exposure to EDCs such as OP during pregnancycan reduce uterine contractile ability, which may result in contraction-associated adverse effects such as metratonia, bradytocia, and uterine leiomyomata.

A Morphometric Analysis of the Foramen Ovale and the Zygomatic Points Determined by a Computed Tomography in Patients with Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to measure the dimensions of foramen ovale and to localize the zygomatic point using computed tomography(CT) in Korean adults with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: Facial axial CT scans using the orbitomeatal plane were performed in 67patients (39males and 28females; mean age 58.8years) with idiopathic classic trigeminal neuralgia. We measured the size of the foramen ovale and localized the zygomatic point which was a skin marker over the ipsilateral zygoma that approximates the lateral projection of a straight line joining the centers of the two foramen ovale. RESULTS: The axial dimensions of the foramen ovale on the orbitomeatal plane were of average length: 8.18+/-0.82mm (range 6.9~11.5mm), width: 4.06+/-0.86mm (2.5~5.7mm). The average distance between the external acoustic meatus and the zygomatic point was 21.64+/-1.99mm (16.3~25.0mm) and the average distance of anterior margin of condylar process of mandible to zygomatic point was 4.29+/-1.19mm (1.0~7.0mm). CONCLUSION: The anatomical understandings including the size of the foramen ovale and localization of the zygomatic point could be helpful in determining a plan of percutaneous approaches to foramen ovale.

Percutaneous Balloon Compression of Trigeminal Gasserian Ganglion for Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to review the surgical results of 19 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia treated by percutaneous ballooning compression(PBC) of trigeminal gasserian ganglion under brief general anesthesia. METHODS: The mean patient age was 63.5 years(range, 27-78). The mean follow-up period was 24 months(range, 1-46). Three patients had already undergone radiofreqnency trigeminal rhizotomy and two patients had previously microvascular decompression. The balloon was inflated by injecting radio-contrast media 0.7-1cc in amount. The mean inflating time is 81 seconds(range, 60-90). RESULTS: During the procedure, brief intraoperative bradycardia and hypotension were noted in seven cases(36.7%). All patients had immediate relief of pain except 1 case. 18 cases(94.5%) of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their pain relief. There were immediate, mild to moderate sensory complication of hypesthesia, dysesthesia or paraesthesia in all cases and the immediate motor complication-difficulty of mastication in 3 cases, transient 6th nerve palsy in 2 cases. The immediate motor and sensory complications disappeared or much improved after 3-4 months. CONCLUSION: It is the simple technique that can be performed effectively in a brief period of general anesthesia. This procedure might be one of attractive methods in the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.