Analysis of the expression of estrogen and progesteron receptors, and of PCNA and Ki67 proliferation antigens, in uterine myomata cells in relation to the phase of the menstrual cycle.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to provide an immunocytochemical evaluation of the expression of receptors for estrogens (ER) and progesterone (PgR), and of Ki67 and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) proliferation antigens in uterine myomata cells in three groups of patients operated in various phases of the menstrual cycle, and to determine the relationship between the expression of the receptors, the proliferative activity of myoma cells, and the phase of the menstrual cycle during which the tumor was excised. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies were performed on samples of uterine 85 leiomyomata. Twelve of the patients were operated in the follicular phase of menstrual cycle, 50 in the luteal phase, and 27 in the post-menopausal period. The receptors and proliferating antigens were detected immunocytochemically. The intensity of the immunocytochemical reaction was evaluated using the ImmunoReactive Score (IRS). RESULTS: In all three groups of patients the expression of PgR significantly exceeded that of ER. Also, in all the patients the mean expression of PCNA significantly exceeded the expression of Ki76. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of the studied antigens did not depend upon the phase of the menstrual cycle, and was similar in the postmenopausal period.

Suitability of tissue prints for immunocytochemical diagnosis of mammary cancer.

The present study was aimed at evaluating suitability of tissue prints for immunocytochemical evaluation of mammary cancer cells. The prints, originating from 30 cases of mammary cancer were studied using immunocytochemical reactions with monoclonal antibodies against estrogen and progesterone receptors, metallothionein (MT), P-glycoprotein and cytokeratins (clone LP34). Expression of individual antigens was assessed using the scale in which intensity of the colour reaction and percentage of positive cells were taken into account. The obtained results did not differ qualitatively or quantitatively from those obtained in paraffin sections. The studies have shown that tissue prints can be used for reliable immunocytochemical evaluation of expression of various proteins in mammary cancer cells.

Effects of exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnancies complicted by oligohydramnios and premature rupture of the membranes. II. Activity of brush border enzymes in human amniotic fluid.

The aim of the present study was to assess the activity of membrane enzymes: alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and trehalase in amniotic fluid of women who smoke cigarettes during pregnancy complicated by idiopathic oligohydramnios or premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). The enzyme activity was measured between 22 and 31 (group A) and between 32 and 39 (group B) weeks of gestation. In the women of group A with idiopathic oligohydramnios, AAP activity was five times higher than in PROM women. AAP activity was declining with the progression of gestation, and in the B group women with oligohydramnios, it was over eight times lower than in group A. A threefold increase in GGT activity was found in women of group A with oligohydramnios as compared to women of group A with PROM. No statistically significant differences in trehalase activity were found in amniotic fluid of women with oligohydramnios and PROM, AAP, GGT and trehalase activity in women with idiopathic oligohydramnios correlated with the cadmium ion concentration, and AAP and GGT activity with the lead ion concentration in amniotic fluid which confirms toxical properties of these heavy metals present in cigarette smoke. It has already been confirmed that measurements of the brush border enzyme activity in amniotic fluid are very useful in prenatal diagnosis and detection of the placenta disorders.

Effects of exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnancies complicated by oligohydramnios and premature rupture of the membranes. I. Concentration of Cd and Pb in blood and Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb in amniotic fluid.

To assess the exposure to tobacco smoke in pregnant women with oligohydramnios, idiopathic or caused by premature rupture of the membranes (PROM), cotinine concentrations were measured, using enzyme-like immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In women with idiopathic oligohydramnios (22-31 weeks of gestation), serum cotinine concentration was 1010 +/- 445 micrograms/L which provides evidence that women of this group were heavy smokers. In these women, significantly higher Cd concentrations in blood and amniotic fluid were found as compared to other pregnant women. A positive correlation between Cd concentrations in blood and amniotic fluid was observed (PROM r = 0.784; p < 0.001; idiopathic oligohydramnios r = 0.7118; p < 0.02). In oligohydramnios cases of both types, Cd concentration in amniotic fluid was over two times and Pb concentration ten times lower than blood concentrations of these metals, whereas amniotic fluid Zn concentration was two times lower than that found earlier in women with normal pregnancy. In the group of women with idiopathic oligohydramnios who were mostly exposed to tobacco smoke, a considerably larger number of still births and new-borns with CNS disorders than in PROM cases, were observed. Zn deficiency at increased exposure to Cd and Pb could play a significant role in etiology of these abnormalities. A positive correlation was found between Zn and Cu concentrations (r = 0.862; p < 0.05) in PROM cases which indicates regular transport of trace metals to the fetal ovum. The condition of infants born to this group of women was much better, and prematurity was the only complication of pregnancy.

[Back pain in pregnant women]. / Bóle kregoslupa u kobiet w okresie ciazy.

In the paper a problem of spinal ailments in women in the third trimester of pregnancy is presented. The study concerns the changes of both body posture and pulvis position. Some disadvantageous situations pregnant women meet with, which cause feeling of pain in spine are analyzed. The alarming lack of proper knowledge about phenomenon of spinal pain in pregnant women is also pointed out.

[The analysis of estrogen and pregesterone receptors in leiomyomas cell in different phases of menstrual cycle]. / Analiza ekspresji receptorów estrogenowych i progesteronowych w komórkach miesniaków macicy w zaleznosci od fazy cyklu miesiecznego.

The aim of a study was immunocytochemical analysis of estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PgR) receptors in uterine leiomyomas cells derived from patients who underwent an operation in three different phases: in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (12 cases), in the luteal phase (20 cases) and in the postmenopausal age (18 cases). The examined receptors reflect the tissue sensibility to activity of sex steroid hormones and play an important role in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomas. Performed studies showed that expression of ER and PgR does not depend on the phase of the menstrual cycle and that it seems to be similar like in the postmenopausal stage. In all groups PgR expression was significantly higher then the expression of ER. In the group of patients in which the surgery was performed during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle was demonstrated negatively correlation (-0.4846) between the expression of ER in relation to the expression of PgR.