Biomedical subjects

A Arici

Publications and source records attributed to A Arici.

80 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1994

Evaluation of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin treatment: a prospective, randomized, crossover study during intrauterine insemination cycles.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that in couples undergoing IUI, actively managed cycles using clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulation, ultrasound monitoring, and hCG timing will result in increased pregnancy rate (PR) per cycle compared with unstimulated urinary LH-timed cycles. PATIENTS: Fifty-six couples with unexplained infertility (n = 26) or male factor infertility (n = 30) participated in the study. SETTING: Tertiary academic medical center. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, crossover. Couples were randomized initially to one of the two study groups (treatment A: LH-timed IUI; treatment B: CC-stimulated, hCG-timed IUI). If no pregnancy occurred, each couple alternated between the two regimens during subsequent cycles, up to a total of four cycles. RESULTS: Twenty-nine couples completed the study and the analysis of 95 cycles revealed that among the male factor infertility group, one pregnancy occurred during the 26 cycles of each treatment group (PR per cycle of 3.9% for both treatment groups). In contrast, among the unexplained infertility group, there was a marked difference in the effect of treatments. During treatment A only one pregnancy occurred in 20 cycles (PR of 5% per cycle) whereas during treatment B, six pregnancies occurred in 23 cycles (PR of 26.1% per cycle). CONCLUSIONS: If IUI is chosen as the treatment modality in unexplained infertility, the addition of active ovulation management that includes CC stimulation, ultrasound monitoring of folliculogenesis, and hCG timing of ovulation increases the PR per cycle. In couples with male infertility, PR per cycle is low and is apparently not affected by the addition of active ovulation management.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Regulation of interleukin-8 gene expression in human endometrial cells in culture.

In this study, we investigated the regulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene expression in separated endometrial stromal and epithelial cells of human endometrium. This research was conducted as part of an analysis of the role of these cells in regulating the recruitment of leukocytes to the endometrium. Well-characterized model systems were used to study the regulation of endometrial IL-8 gene expression, namely, stromal cells in monolayer culture after first passage and glandular epithelium in primary culture. The levels of IL-8 mRNA and the accumulation of immunoreactive IL-8 in the medium of endometrial stromal cells is culture increased in a time- and concentration-dependent manner upon treatment with IL-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or serum. The effects of IL-1 alpha plus serum on IL-8 mRNA levels were at least additive. Serum treatment caused a modest stimulation of IL-8 gene transcription (evaluated after 6 h of treatment) in endometrial stromal cells, but serum also acted in these stromal cells to prolong the half-life of IL-8 mRNA by more than 2.5-fold. The regulation of the levels of IL-8 mRNA in endometrial epithelial cells is distinctly different from that in stroma. First, the levels of IL-8 mRNA in non-treated epithelial cells in serum-free medium were much greater than those in stromal cells under similar conditions. Second, whereas the levels of IL-8 mRNA in endometrial epithelial cells also increased in response to serum and to IL-1 in the absence of serum, in the presence of serum, IL-1 treatment caused no appreciable change in the levels of IL-8 mRNA as was the case in endometrial stromal cells.

Base Sequence↗

PubMed1993

Laparoscopic removal of gonads in women with abnormal karyotypes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if laparoscopy can be an acceptable alternative to laparotomy for gonadectomy in women with gonadal dysgenesis (46,XY karyotype or 45,X karyotype with evidence of hyperandrogenism). We retrospectively analyzed five cases of gonadal dysgenesis that were managed by laparoscopic gonadectomy. All five patients underwent laparoscopic gonadectomy performed at a day surgery unit of a university medical center without any complications and were discharged the same day. The average operative time was 72 minutes (range, 35-95), the average blood loss was 20 mL, and the average cost was $4,380. We conclude that laparoscopic gonadectomy is a safe, effective and economical procedure to perform on patients with Y chromosomes or evidence of abnormal gonads. Laparoscopy should be accepted as the treatment of choice in these patients by physicians experienced in pelviscopic surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Structural differentiation of human uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during early pregnancy: an ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study.

The differentiation of human endometrial epithelium is a dynamic event that occurs throughout the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy. The structural transformation and differentiation of human uterine luminal and glandular epithelium of early human pregnancy (n=14) was investigated ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically using antibodies against cytokeratin (CT), endothelial marker CD31, Fas, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Ultrastructurally, luminal epithelial cells showed distinctive euchromatic nuclei with prominent nucleoli and relatively loose cell membranes in all poles (apical to basal). Subcellular components were easily recognized in luminal epithelium except in degenerating cells. Mainly two cell types, dark and clear cells, formed the glandular epithelium. In the early gestation period, microvilli were abundant on the apical and apico-lateral poles of these cells. Only a few cytoplasmic projections were observed in dark cells. Numerous cilia were observed on the apical pole of some clear cells, located at the adluminal segment. In contrast, dark cells lacked cilia, nuclear channels, or giant mitochondrial profiles. Glycogen synthesis and apocrine secretion were recognizable for several days during early gestation. The apocrine secretory activity differed among dark cells of the glandular epithelium. The immunoreactivity of PCNA and Fas, and ultrastructural observations in the glandular epithelium suggest that, even in different segments of the same gland, epithelial cells do not regress during early gestation, but proliferate, perhaps representing a resistance against trophoblastic invasion. These morphological and molecular changes suggest that both luminal and glandular epithelium may play an important role in cellular defense and limitation for trophoblastic invasion during early pregnancy since plasma membrane alterations of the surface epithelium take place at the apical, basal and lateral poles compared to early secretory phase endometrial cells. Besides glandular epithelium may be consequently responsible for uterine secretions, which may be critical for early embryo development.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The peritoneal environment in endometriosis.

The local environment of peritoneal fluid (PF) surrounding the endometriotic implant is immunologically dynamic and links the reproductive and immune systems. Peritoneal fluid contains a variety of free floating cells, including macrophages, mesothelial cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils and mast cells. Macrophages are attracted to the peritoneal environment more abundantly than any other cell type. These scavengers promote cellular growth and viability through secretion of growth factors and cytokines. It is now becoming evident that cytokines play an important role in reproduction at various levels, including gamete function, fertilization and embryo development, implantation and postimplantation survival of the conceptus. Peritoneal fluid has been shown to affect negatively ovum capture by the fimbria, sperm survival, spermatozoon-oocyte interaction and embryonic development. We have recently identified the presence of two pro-inflammatory chemoattractant cytokines for monocyte/macrophages (MCP-1) and for granulocytes (interleukin-8, IL-8) in the PF. Concentrations of both IL-8 and MCP-1 are not only elevated in PF of women with endometriosis compared to those without endometriosis, but they are related to the severity of the disease. Over the past 70 years, at least a dozen theories have been proposed to explain the histogenesis and aetiology of endometriosis. It appears that the aetiology is multifactorial, and today a composite theory of retrograde menstruation with implantation of endometrial fragments in conjunction with peritoneal factors to stimulate cell growth is the most widely accepted explanation for peritoneal endometriosis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Leukocytes in ovarian function.

It has become apparent that in the ovary, the immune system contributes to the regulation of gonadal function. Leukocytes present within the ovary may constitute potential in-situ modulators of ovarian function that act through local secretion of regulatory soluble factors. These factors include numerous cytokines that largely originate by the action of immune cells within the ovary. Actual rupture of the follicle during ovulation may be dependent on tissue remodelling that is characteristic of an acute inflammatory reaction and includes mobilization of thecal fibroblasts, increased leukocyte migration, release of various mediators and loosening of connective tissue elements in the follicle wall. Both corpus luteum formation and luteal regression also involve progressive infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages, release of chemokines and cytokines, and communication through cell adhesion molecules. In this review, we examine the evidence for the leukocytes and their products in regulation of ovarian function and relate the potential significance of these cells and substances to some ovarian disorders.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Estradiol regulates monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells: a mechanism for its antiatherogenic effect.

OBJECTIVE: The protective effect of estrogen against early atherosclerosis in animal models is well documented, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect are not well understood. The earliest recognizable event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is an increased recruitment of macrophages into the arterial subendothelium. Macrophages first play a protective role by removing low-density lipoproteins, but when the cholesterol is in excess, macrophages are converted into foam cells and form atheromas. Recent human and animal data indicate that the recruitment of macrophages to the arterial wall is mediated by monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). We hypothesized that one of the mechanisms of estrogen's protective effect against atherosclerosis may be the down-regulation of MCP-1 expression in the arterial wall. DESIGN: Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells were replicated to confluence in smooth muscle cell basal medium supplemented with growth factors and 5% fetal bovine serum. Before each experiment, cells were incubated for 24 h with phenol red-free medium containing 5% charcoal-stripped calf serum, and then they were treated with various concentrations of 17beta-estradiol as well as selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators, raloxifene and tamoxifen. MCP-1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels were quantified by Northern blots. MCP-1 protein was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ER expression was evaluated by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Human coronary artery smooth muscle cells expressed MCP-1 mRNA and produced MCP-1 protein. Estradiol induced up to 40% inhibition in mRNA expression at concentrations 10-9 M and higher. Raloxifene and tamoxifen also resulted in an inhibition, but the inhibition was less than when induced by estradiol. Estradiol also inhibited the MCP-1 protein production in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Coronary smooth muscle cells expressed both ERalpha and ERbeta. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that one of the mechanisms by which estrogen prevents atherosclerosis is by down-regulating MCP-1 expression, thus decreasing macrophage recruitment to the arterial wall.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of 11 beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) in the human fetal adrenal.

OBJECTIVE: To understand better the steroidogenic capacity of the human fetal adrenal (HFA), we evaluated the expression of 11 beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1) and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) in the fetal zone and neocortex of the HFA using a specific RNase protection assay. METHODS: Adrenal glands were obtained at the time of elective termination of pregnancy. Whole adrenals (n = 7) were frozen in liquid nitrogen, and subsequently total RNA extraction was performed by tissue homogenization followed by guanidinium/chloroform purification. In addition, RNA was obtained from separated fetal zone (n = 4) and neocortex (n = 4) tissues obtained by dissection. RNase protection assays were then performed using radiolabeled complementary RNA probes generated by T7 RNA polymerase directed against transcripts for CYP11B1, CYP11B2, and actin, the latter of which was used as a control for RNA integrity. Transcripts also were examined using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol specific for CYP11B1 or CYP11B2. RESULTS: The RNase protection assay was designed to distinguish specific bands that corresponded to CYP11B1 (232 bp), CYP11B2 (262 bp), and actin (221 bp). RNA isolated from whole HFA was observed to have high levels of CYP11B1 transcript, whereas CYP11B2 was not detected. Dissected neocortex and fetal zones were found to contain transcript for CYP11B1 using both the RNase protection assay and RT-PCR analysis. In contrast, using the RNase protection assay, CYP11B2 mRNA was not observed in the RNA from the fetal zone, but after prolonged exposure there was a band corresponding in size to CYP11B2 observed in RNA from the neocortex. Using the more sensitive RT-PCR method, transcript for CYP11B2 was found in both neocortex and fetal zone. CONCLUSION: The HFA expresses low levels of CYP11B2 in accordance with its low production of mineralocorticoid. The expression of CYP11B1 in the fetal zone is intriguing because this enzyme is not necessary for the production of C19 steroids. Definition of the molecular mechanisms controlling expression of the CYP11B genes will be necessary to determine why the HFA differentially expresses these isoenzymes.

Actins↗