Angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene A1166C polymorphism is associated with the increased risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relation of parental history of hypertension to the development of PIH, and to assess the potential role of plausible candidate loci in the susceptibility to PIH. STUDY DESIGN: Five polymorphisms: ACE gene I/D and Pst1 RFLP polymorphism, AGT gene M235T polymorphism, AGTR1 gene A1166C polymorphism, and chymase gene CMA/B polymorphism were studied in 126 women suffering from PIH in comparison with 150 healthy pregnant women. Genotyping was performed using methods based on polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among the PIH patients, positive parental history of hypertension (hypertension in both parents, in mother alone or in father alone) was significantly more frequent than in healthy pregnant women. Having a hypertensive father or mother statistically significantly increased the risk of PIH (odds ratio 4.34, 95% CI, 1.86-10.13, and 2.33, 95% CI, 1.29-4.12 respectively). CC genotype was significantly more frequent in women with PIH as compared with healthy controls and the C allele frequency was also significantly higher among the cases compared to controls. Having a CC genotype increased the risk of development of PIH 2.74 times (95% CI, 1.08-6.97). We observed no significant differences in genotype distributions or the allele frequencies of other examined polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the results of our study, we may suggest that AGTR1 gene A1166C polymorphism may predispose women to the development of PIH. It seems that ACE gene I/D and Pst1 RFLP polymorphism, AGT gene M235T polymorphism, and finally chymase gene CMA/B polymorphism do not play any significant role in the pathogenesis of PIH in Caucasian women.

[Lack of relationship between angiotensinogen gene m235t polymorphism and gene insertion/deletion (I/D-intron 16) and Pst I RFLP (P/M-intron 7) polymorphisms of the angiotensin I converting enzyme(ACE) gene and the development of H-gestosis. Preliminary results]. / Brak zwiazku polimorfizmu m235t genu angiotensynogenu i polimorfizmów insercja/delecja (I/D-intron 16) oraz Pst I RFLP (P/M-intron 7) genu enzymu konwertujacego angiotensyne I (ACE) z wystepowaniem H-gestozy. Doniesienie wstepne.

Genetic and familial factors may predispose to H-gestosis. The aim of our study was to answer the question if angiotensinogen gene m235t polymorphism, and ACE gene I/D and Pst I RFLP polymorphisms may be markers of genetic predisposition to the H-gestosis. 246 pregnant women (median age 26 years) were studied (the studied group consisted of 116 women with H-gestosis and the control group consisted of 130 healthy pregnant women). Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction method. Statistical analysis was done by means of Statistica for Windows. Genotype distribution was analyzed using chi 2 test. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. In our study we did not receive statistically significant differences in ACE and angiotensinogen genes genotype distributions and allele frequencies between the investigated groups. Based on results of the study we may suggest that I/D and Pst I RFLP ACE gene polymorphism and angiotensinogen gene m235t polymorphism do not play any significant role in the pathogenesis of H-gestosis.

[Analysis of indications for 3528 Cesarean sections based on sixteen years of clinical material (177-1992)]. / Analiza wskazan do 3528 ciec Cesarskich na podstawie szesnastoletniego materialu klinicznego (1977-1992).

Analysis was subjected on 3528 cesarean sections made in I Obstetric and Gynecology Clinic Academy of Medicine in Bytom between 1977-1992. At the drop in general number of deliveries there were noticed upward tendencies in percentage of cesarean sections but during last two years this increase was inhibited. The ratio of sudden and planned indications determined by us as index of indications (N/P) oscillated from 0.16 to 0.31. Among sudden indications imminent intrauterine fetus asphyxia was noticed most often and among planned indications state after cesarean section and loss of progress of delivery.

[Effect of gynecologic abdominal surgery on function of the hypophyseal-thyroid axis]. / Wplyw brzusznych operacji ginekologicznych na czynnosc osi przysadka-tarczyca.

Triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroxine (T4), free thyroxine, and TSH levels have been assayed in female patients undergoing gynecological surgeries of various extension (Wertheim-Meigs operation, pan-hysterectomy, unilateral adnexectomy, diagnostic laparoscopy). Laparoscopy did not produce any significant changes in the concentrations of assayed hormones. The remaining operations produced a decrease in T3 and fT3 levels and significant increase in T4 and fT4. TSH concentration also increased but this process was biphasic--an early decrease to baseline values follow by an increase. The assay of hypophyseal and thyroid hormones may serve as an indicator of the degree of the homeostasis disorders after surgical operations.

Influence of melatonin on rat thyroid, adrenals and testis secretion during the day.

The effect of pinealectomy and exogenous melatonin on circadian rhythm of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), corticosterone and testosterone in sham-operated and pinealectomized rats were investigated. The hormones concentration were RIA-measured and the circadian rhythm secretion were analysed by cosinor method. The findings suggest that pinealectomy abolishes the rhythmical character of corticosterone secretion and disturbs the circadian rhythm of T3, T4 and testosterone. Exogenous melatonin has the suppressive effect of diurnal secretion of T3, T4 and testosterone in pinealectomized rats but stimulates the rhythmical corticosterone secretion.

The influence of pinealectomy and single dose of melatonin administered at different times of day on serum T3 and T4 concentrations in rats.

The influence of pinealectomy and melatonin administration on the levels of total T3 and T4 plasma levels were determined by RIA method. The results of hormonal measurements were evaluated by means of Student's t-test, and the diurnal rhythm by cosinor method. It has been established that pinealectomy disturbs the T3 diurnal rhythm and caused marked changes in T4 levels during the 24 hours. Exogenous melatonin does not influence the thyroid function during the light phase. During the dark phase, however, its inhibitory effect is prevalent in pinealectomized rats, and the stimulating in sham operated rats.

Serum ferritin, iron and transferrin in women with thyrotoxic Graves' disease before and after methimazole treatment.

We investigated iron metabolism in 47 women with thyrotoxic Graves' disease. Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations were RIA measured before and after methimazole treatment when patients became euthyroid. The control group consisted of 52 healthy women. We noted that serum ferritin levels and the ferritin to transferrin ration were significantly lower while the iron to ferritin ratio was higher in patients before and after methimazole therapy. Iron concentration as well as the iron to transferrin and the iron to thyroid hormone ratios were decreased only before treatment.

Influence of melatonin on thyroid secretion in pinealectomized rats.

The influence of a single dose of melatonin administered to pinealectomized and sham operated rats at different times of day on serum T3, T4 concentrations was investigated. It was found that such melatonin influence depends upon a time of day. Both pinealectomy and exogenous melatonin did not influence the thyroid activity in the morning. The most remarkable pineal effect on the thyroid appeared during the night.

[Experimental studies of the effects of estradiol and thyroxine on the fascicular layer of the adrenal cortex]. / Badania doswiadczalne nad wplywem estradiolu i tyroksyny na warstwe pasmowata kory nadnerczy.

We studied the effects of estradiol and thyroxine on the secretory function of the adrenal gland cortex in castrated female rats. We evaluated steroidogenesis on the basis changes in histochemical reaction to lipids and corticosterone blood concentrations in adrenal and peripheral veins obtained from RIA studies. It was found that estradiol stimulated or inhibited the synthesis of corticosterone in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast thyroxine alone or combined with estradiol (irrespective of the dose) enhanced steroidogenesis in the adrenal glands of castrated female rats.

Light and darkness effect on adrenocortical secretion of rats exposed to stress.

The investigations were carried out on sexually mature Wistar rats divided into three groups: control group, a group kept always in darkness, and a group exposed continually to light. In each group a subgroup was isolated which was subjected to formalin stress. In all animals aldosterone and corticosterone concentrations in adrenal venous blood were determined spectrophotometrically. Thin layer chromatography was used for separation of steroids. It was found that keeping the rats in darkness caused a fall in the concentrations of corticosterone and aldosterone, while stress caused in the rats kept in darkness a rise of the concentrations of both these hormones. Continuous exposure to light reduced the concentration of aldosterone to undetectable values and of corticosterone by 90% in relation to the control group. Decrease of hormones level was observed in the stressed and non-stressed subgroups.