Menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in healthy women.

OBJECTIVES: CA 72-4 is not approved as a tumor marker but has been used as an adjunct marker in gynecological practice. The study aims to evaluate the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 in a population of healthy women. DESIGN AND METHODS: Forty apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects were included in the cross-sectional study designed in the University Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient clinic. Venous blood samples from each participant were collected twice: first at the follicular phase (2nd-5th days of the menstrual cycle) for FSH, estradiol, CA 125, CA 72-4 and the other at the luteal phase (21st-24th days of the menstrual cycle) for progesterone, CA 125 and CA 72-4 levels. RESULTS: CA 72-4 values were similar in follicular and luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in apparently healthy regularly menstruating subjects (1.15U/mL (0.2-5.4) vs 1.15 U/mL (0.56-6.3); p=0.326 respectively). Ovulatory or smoking status did not have an effect on CA 72-4 values (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This first clinical study about the menstrual cycle variability of CA 72-4 revealed that the menstrual cycle does not have a significant impact on CA 72-4 values and that it can be measured at any time during the menstrual period.

Collagen cross-links as a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the utility of pyridinoline (Pyd) and deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) cross-links in the detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with or without osteoporosis. METHODS: We measured Pyd, Dpd, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), fasting total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure in 59 healthy postmenopausal women: 30 had normal bone mineral density (group I) and the remaining 29 had osteoporosis or osteopenia (group II) according to World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in age, duration of menopause, age at menopause, lipid profile, body mass index, Pyd level, Dpd level, and Pyd-to-Dpd ratio between the groups (P > 0.05). No significant difference in CIMT was found when groups I and II were compared (P = 0.538). No statistically significant differences in Pyd level, Dpd level, and Pyd-to-Dpd ratio were found when women with CIMT higher than 5 mm and women with CIMT of 5 mm or less were compared in groups I and II (P > 0.05). However, significantly declined Dpd level and increased Pyd-to-Dpd ratio were found in women with CIMT higher than 5 mm when compared with women with CIMT of 5 mm or less. CIMT was found to be negatively correlated with Dpd level (r = -0.346, P = 0.007) and to be positively correlated with the Pyd-to-Dpd ratio (r = 0.702, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the Pyd-to-Dpd ratio, irrespective of the participants' bone mineral density, may have predictive value in the determination of subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.

The impact of route of anesthesia on maternal and fetal ischemia modified albumin levels at cesarean section: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia modified albumin has been shown to increase in ischemic situations, and has also been shown to increase in fetal cord blood in deliveries by cesarean section. The aim of this study is to reveal whether anesthesia has an impact on maternal and fetal cord ischemia modified albumin levels. METHODS: Seventy two women with uncomplicated term pregnancies were randomized to spinal (n=37) or general anesthesia (n=35) groups. The blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulse rate of the patients were recorded during the procedure. Maternal blood samples of ischemia modified albumin (IMA) were taken 10 min from the start of the procedure. The fetal cord blood samples of IMA were taken immediately after birth. RESULTS: Maternal (0.99 ± 0.19 vs. 0.80 ± 0.27) and fetal (1.00 ± 0.21 vs. 0.70 ± 0.26) IMA levels were significantly higher in the general anesthesia group. Fetal IMA levels were positively correlated with maternal gravidity (r=0.31; P=0.008), parity (r=0.25; P=0.028), and fetal birth weight (r=0.23, P=0.045). Also, as time from incision to delivery lengthens, fetal IMA levels increase (r=0.29, P=0.012). CONCLUSION: Fetal cord ischemia modified albumin levels were higher in the general anesthesia group, therefore, it is proposed that regional anesthesia should be the preferred route of anesthesia for an elective cesarean section, at least until the impact of high fetal cord IMA levels are manifested.

Anti-Mullerian hormone and insulin resistance in classic phenotype lean PCOS.

PURPOSE: This study is designed to explore the correlation between AMH levels and IR in normal weight PCOS women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on 55 patients, who were admitted to obstetrics and gynecology department of a university clinic. Study group was consisted of 34 patients diagnosed as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to the Rotterdam Criteria, whereas control group was consisted of 21 healthy volunteers without any features of clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, who had regular menstrual cycles. BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) were considered overweight and obese and excluded. Blood samples were obtained during days 2-3 after spontaneous menses or progesterone-induced withdrawal bleeding after overnight fasting for at least 12 h. The weight, height, hip and waist circumferences of the patients were measured. Fasting insulin and glucose (FPG) levels were used for calculating different insulin resistance indexes (Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI)). RESULTS: No significant difference was found between PCOS and control groups regarding the mean age, BMI, waist to hip ratio (WHR), mean values of FPG, FPG/insulin ratio and HOMA B (p > 0.05). AMH values were significantly higher in PCOS cases when compared with controls (4.7 vs. 3.4 ng/mL) (p < 0.05).The mean values of HOMA-IR and QUICKI indexes were significantly higher among PCOS cases when compared with controls. E2 levels were significantly lower and Total-T were significantly higher in PCOS patients. When PCOS cases are categorized according to the existence of IR, no difference in Total-T and AMH levels between both groups. Although not statistically significant, a negative correlation of AMH with HOMA-IR and a positive correlation with QUICKI index were found. Among the hormone parameters, AMH was found to be positively correlated with Total-T (r = 0.332, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Although the relation between AMH and androgen production is supported by current evidence, the mechanism underlying the relation between AMH and insulin resistance is not clear yet.

Maternal and umbilical cord ischemia-modified albumin levels in nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings regarding the mode of delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate umbilical cord blood ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in cases of fetal distress (FD) and to explore fetal blood IMA levels regarding the route of delivery. METHODS: Umbilical cord and maternal serum IMA concentrations were assessed in term 40 cases with cesarean section (CS) due to FD, 76 cases with elective repeat CS and 85 cases with noncomplicated vaginal delivery. RESULTS: The maternal and umbilical cord IMA levels were significantly lower in vaginal deliveries when compared with CS cases either in FD or previous CS groups (p = 0.02). Although no statistically significant difference was found in IMA levels of CS groups (previous CS vs. FD), cord blood IMA levels tend to be higher in FD group. Neither demographic characteristics nor fetal outcome parameters were found to have any correlation with maternal IMA levels. However, umbilical cord IMA levels were found to be negatively correlated with 1th min Apgar scores (r = -0.143, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: IMA seems to be responsive to hypoxic FD showing the highest levels in cases with severe fetal hypoxia. Higher levels of IMA in cases with elective repeat CS might indicate acute transient hypoxia and possible myocardial ischemia in these cases.