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Objective: The placenta constitutes a physical and immunological barrier against infectious agents. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are essential components for the induction of innate immunity responses in different human tissues including the placenta. We investigated the expressions of TLR2 and TLR4 in the decidua and amniotic cells in non-infl amed placenta and placenta with infection. Materials and Methods: There were a total 74 placentas (37 with infection and 37 without infection- 25 bacterial, 10 viral and 2 toxoplasma). TLR2 and TLR4 expressions were assessed using immunohistochemical technique. Positive cells were indicated by cytoplasmic staining and the percentage of positive in 100 cells was recorded and graded. The grades were 1+ (75%). Results: We found signifi cantly higher expression of TLR2 in the amniotic cells and decidua cells in infected placentas as compared to non-infl amed placentas among the preterm placenta. A higher number of cases have TLR4 expression in the amnion of preterm infected placenta than in term placenta. This, however, is not statistically signifi cant. Conclusion: Our fi ndings suggest that TLR2 plays a role in the innate immunity in bacterial and viral infection in the placenta, however, their role in protection against toxoplasma may be limited. This study further supports the observations that TLR2 expression was higher in placenta with infection which strengthened the role of TLR2 in the protection of preterm placenta against infection.
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Objective To investigate the effects of mifepristone on the expression of fibronectin (FN) in human villus and deciduas after termination of pregnancy. Methods Women with choice of termination of pregnancy(< 49 d) were divided into medical abortion complete group (n=15), medical abortion incomplete group(n=15) and control group (with dilatation and curettage, n=15). The villus and deciduas were collected at the third day of medical abortion or at the day of dilatation and curettage. Immunohistochemical technique was used to examine the expression of FN in villus and deciduas of these three groups. Results The positive expression rates of FN in villus and deciduas of control group were significantly higher than those of two medical abortion groups(P < 0.017), and the positive expression rates of FN of medical abortion incomplete group were significantly higher than those of medical abortion complete group (P < 0. 017). Conclusion Mifepristone can decrease the expression of FN in human villus and deciduas and interfere the condition of embryonic growth, exerting the anti-gestational effect at extracellular matrix level.
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Objective To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-?(TGF-?) in the villus and deciduas of different outcomes after administration with mifepristone and misoprostol in the termination of early pregnancy. Methods From May 2004 to March 2005,50 women who were comfirmed early pregnancy and requested termination of pregnancy in the outpatient department were recruited.Patients with medical abortion were divided into two groups according to the final outcomes: group of complete abortion(n=15) and group of incomplete abortion((n=)15).Another 20 patients with surgical abortion were served as control.The villus and deciduas were collected at the third day of medical abortion,whereas the same was done at the day of surgical abortion.The expression of TGF-? in villus and deciduas of the three groups were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results The age,gestational age,diameter of gestational sac and levels of serum E_(2),P and ?-HCG before abortion were similar in these groups.Compared with the other two groups,the expressions of TGF-? in the villus and deciduas in the group of complete abortion were significantly decreased(P
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Objective To investigate and compare the expression of decidual LIF between early pregnancy and mifepristone induced abortion.Methods By immunohistochemical analysis,the expressions of decidual LIF were detected with quantitative analysis to the grey degree of immunohistochemical staining for LIF by HPIAS-1000 and collected the pictures by JPEG system.Results The grey degree of immunohistochemical staining for LIF of decidual cells in grandular epithelial cells is higher than that in stroma cells(P0.05).The expressions of LIF in grandular epithelial cells and stroma cells can be detected in both plasma and nucleus.Conclusions The expressions of decidual LIF are different in locations.Further study is needed for the mechanism of mifepristone induced abortion.
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Objective:To explore whether the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence can modulate secretion of IL-4 and IFN-? by the CD4+T cells from human decidua during first trimester,which will lead to further investigate the anti-abortional effect mechanisms of the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence.Methods:40 female adult SD rats were divided randomly into two groups:one group was gavaged with the Formula of Tonifying Kidney of Vital Essence;another was gavaged with normal saline,twice a day for 3 days.The two groups of rats were gavaged with the same volume of the decoction or saline.Thereafter the blood was collected from carotid artery.Human decidua tissues were collected by artificial abortion at 6-10 weeks of gestation.The CD4+ T cells were separated by MACS.CD4+ T cells were divided into four groups during cell culture.Group A was treated with 10% fetal calf serum,which was the control group.Group B was treated with 10% of the rat serum from the herbal medicine;Group C was treated with 20% of the rat serum from the herbal medicin.Group D was treated with the rat serum of the saline control.The supernatants were harvested at 24,48 and 72 h of the culture,respectively.The amounts of IL-4 and IFN-? in the culture supernatants were measured by ELISA.Results:In both group B and C of the culture the amount of IL-4 was evidently elevated when compared with the control,group A(P
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Objective To investigate the effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid(NDGA)on the embryos growth and decidualization of rat by intrauterine perfusion and to investigate the new medication for planned parenthood.Methods Fifty-six pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into NDGA-treated group(N)and PBS-treated control group(P)and blank control group(B).By intubation,NDGA or PBS was perfused into the uterus on embryonic day 1(E1)and day 7(E7).Rats were killed on E9 to calculate the number and measure the diameter of the embryos,as well as the number and weight of litters.The expression of VEGF,PCNA and FⅧRAg in deciduas and placenta were detected by immunohistochemistry and image analysis.The serum concentration of progesterone on E9 was measured.Results In comparison with two control groups,the number and the diameter of embryos after perfusion were decreased with NDGA treatment on E1(P0.05).Conclusion NDGA can inhibit the growth of early embryo and interfere with the progress of decidualization obviously by intrauterine perfusion,but has little effect on the serum concentration of progesterone.
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Objective To investigate the effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on the embryos growth and decidual development in rats. Methods Fifty pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into NDGA-treated group(N)and control group (P), which were given subcutaneous injection of NDGA or PBS on embryonic day 1(E1), E7 and E14, and then killed on E6 and E9. The number of implantations was calculated, the diameter of the embryos was measured and the numbers and weight of neonates were recorded. The expressions of VEGF, PCNA and FⅧRAg in the deciduas and embryos were detected by immunohistochemistry and then made image analysis. The serum concentrations of progesterone on E9 were measured. Results The number of implantations were decreased with NDGA treatment on E1 (P