The relationship between oxidative stress markers and endometrial hyperplasia: A case-control study

Objective: Endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is considered an endometrial cancer precursor. This study aimed to determine the role of oxidative stress and thiol groups with antioxidant properties in EH pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: In our prospective case-control study, participants were washed with 5 mL of saline before the endometrial biopsy. Endometrial washing fluid was taken into microtubules, and thiol and disulfide levels were analyzed using the Ellman reagent. Results: A total of 108 patients were in the EH group and 84 patients in the control group. The total and native thiol levels were higher values in the control group (p<0.001, for both). Disulfide levels were higher in the EH group (p<0.001). Native/total thiol ratio and disulfide/total thiol ratio were higher in the EH group (p<0.001, for both). The analysis performed in the control group revealed a significant positive correlation between estradiol and disulfide levels (r=0.322, p=0.033). No significant correlation was found between estradiol and disulfide in the EH group. Conclusion: Oxidative stress level was higher in the washing fluids of patients with EH and this stress plays a role in the EH etiology.

Amniotic fluid urocortin-1 concentrations for the prediction of preterm delivery.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze whether urocortin-1 concentration in midtrimester amniotic fluid could serve as an indicative marker of preterm labor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Urocortin-1 concentrations in midtrimester amniotic fluid were measured in 22 pregnant women with preterm deliveries and 45 women who delivered at term using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The median amniotic fluid urocortin-1 concentration was significantly lower in the women with preterm birth (40.06 pg/mL; range, 13.77-67.58 pg/mL) than in the women who gave birth at term (49.56 pg/mL; range, 26.25-175.9 pg/mL; P = 0.022). The result of receiver-operator curve analysis indicates that an amniotic fluid urocortin-1 concentration ≤ 57.88 pg/mL had an area under the curve of 0.673 (95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.78; P = 0.01) with a sensitivity of 81.8%, specificity of 40.0%, positive predictive value of 40%, and a negative predictive value of 82% in identifying which of the patients subsequently delivered prematurely. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that low urocortin-1 concentration in midtrimester amniotic fluid could be used as an indicative marker of preterm birth.

Successful pregnancy achieved by assisted reproductive techniques in a woman with severe congenital bicuspid aortic valve stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To report a twin pregnancy achieved by assisted reproductive techniques in a woman with severe congenital bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. METHODS: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer was performed in a 38-year-old woman with a complaint of infertility for 8 years due to male factor and who previously had the diagnosis of severe congenital bicuspid aortic stenosis. Clinical and echocardiography follow-up during pregnancy was done. RESULTS: The woman had severe congenital aortic stenosis with a valve area of 0.4 cm(2) and a peak gradient of 57 mmHg. In the first trial, twin pregnancy was achieved. She had an uneventful course of pregnancy in terms of cardiac functions. She underwent caesarean section at 36 weeks of gestation and had a healthy female and a male newborns. CONCLUSIONS: A woman with a severe congenital bicuspid aortic valve may get pregnant and deliver healthy newborns with intensive prenatal care and follow-up. The severe congenital bicuspid aortic valve stenosis may not be considered an absolute contraindication for assisted reproductive techniques and pregnancy.