Maternal Amino Acid Status in Severe Preeclampsia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia has been one of the leading causes of maternal death in Indonesia. It is postulated that its relationship with oxidative stress may be the underlying pathology of the disease. Nutrients and amino acids have been suggested as a scavenger for oxygen-free radicals. No previous study regarding the amino acid status in preeclampsia has been conducted in women in Indonesia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of a total of 64 pregnant women, 30 with normal pregnancy and 34 with severe preeclampsia. Data were obtained in Cipto Mangunkusumo National Referral Hospital in Jakarta from July to December 2020. Maternal blood samples were taken during or soon after delivery. Amino acid levels were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bivariate analysis was then performed. RESULTS: We identified 19 different levels of amino acids in this study. Four amino acids that were elevated in the preeclampsia group were phenylalanine, serine, glycine, and glutamate. Serine (331.55 vs. 287.43; p = 0.03), glycine (183.3 vs. 234.35, p = 0.03), and glutamate levels (102.23 vs. 160.70, p = 0.000) were higher in preeclamptic patients. While in the essential amino acids group, phenylalanine levels (71.5 vs. 85.5, p = 0.023) were higher, and methionine levels (16.3 vs. 12.9, p = 0.022) were lower in preeclamptic patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that severe preeclampsia had differences in concentration of some amino acids compared to normal pregnancy. Glutamate and methionine were associated with preeclampsia. Furthermore, a more detailed study regarding amino acids in the pathomechanism of preeclampsia is suggested.

Ovarian cortex freezing as a method of fertility preservation in endometriosis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis affects women in many ways from infertility until reducing ovarian reserve. In women who do not want to immediately conceive, ovarium cortex cryopreservation may be an option for preserving fertility. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients with chief complaints dysmenorrhea and abdominal enlargement, then checked Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) level and Ca-125 level. Patient underwent transrectal ultrasonography, with the result of endometriosis cyst (sized 12 × 9x3 cm and 7 × 10 × 11 cm for first patient, while second patient had 18 × 10 × 14 cm). Then patients underwent cystectomy and ovarian cryopreservation. Histopathology results revealed endometriosis cyst, with different results of follicle density on the healthy cortex. Patient have an AMH level of 1.82 ng/mL before surgery and may decline after surgery. From the AMH normogram, the patient is below the 25th percentile and almost below the 10th percentile, and her biological age is 34. Normal histopathology result of the ovarian cortex suggested that 1.8 to 166 follicles per mm3 cortical tissue. DISCUSSION: We can see from the histopathology examination the density of the follicle was less than normal in this patient. Patients that suffer from endometriosis may have a low ovarian reserve even before surgery. A thorough consultation, followed by ovarian reserve evaluation, disease progression and recurrence of disease are needed to be monitored closely. CONCLUSION: From all the methods of fertility preservation, we concluded that this patient is most suitable for ovarian cortex freezing.

Cytokines storm in COVID-19 with dengue co-infection in pregnancy: Fatal maternal and fetal outcome.

We report a 23-year-old pregnant woman who presented with acute high-grade fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for 5 days. She was first hospitalized in RSUD Tangerang-a secondary hospital based in Tangerang and were referred to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital as a tertiary hospital. Initial laboratory results from previous hospital revealed leukopenia, low platelet, elevated aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. Chest radiograph showed no pulmonary infiltration. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) of the nasopharyngeal swab detected SARS-CoV-2, and NS1 antigen or IgM dengue-specific antibodies were positive. COVID-19 with dengue fever co-infection was diagnosed. Hemorrhagic manifestations were seen in both the mother (gum and gastrointestinal bleeding) and pregnancy (placental abruption). Patient was put on ventilator and was unfortunately lead to her death that were caused by multiorgan dysfunction failure due to co-infection of dengue and COVID-19. Both dengue and COVID-19 had similar manifestation, as it is a warning sign in pregnant patient experienced both that can lead to fatal result in mother and baby. Early diagnosis and management of co-infection is high clinical importance, especially in endemic area of dengue like Indonesia.

Maternal and cord blood cyclophilin A in severe preeclampsia and normal pregnancy and its correlation with vitamin D and zinc.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate maternal and cord blood cyclophilin A level in severe preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancy and its correlation with vitamin D and zinc level. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional observational study of pregnant women who gave birth in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital between January and April 2014. RESULTS: Thirty-nine subjects were included. Subjects with severe preeclampsia have higher serum cyclophilin A levels compared with normotensive pregnancy (1299.60 vs. 1039.50; p 0.017). Maternal cyclophilin A, vitamin D, and zinc correlation were not statistically significant (p 0.189 & p 0.853). CONCLUSION: Cyclophilin A levels in severe preeclampsia is higher compared to normal pregnancy. There is no correlation between cyclophilin A, zinc, and vitamin D.