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Biomedical subjects

N Furuhashi

Publications and source records attributed to N Furuhashi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Maternal and fetal atrial natriuretic peptide levels, maternal plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 levels in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

To clarify the possible role of elevated atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, we measured ANP, renin activity (PRA), angiotensin II (Ang II), TXB2 (a stable metabolite of TXA2) and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable end product of PGI2) concentrations in the plasma of 19 normal pregnant women and 35 severe preeclamptic patients at term. Plasma ANP levels in the preeclamptic patients (n = 35, 71.5 +/- 3.8 pg/ml, mean +/- S.E.) and also umbilical plasma ANP (n = 35, 83.0 +/- 4.2 pg/ml) were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than those of normal pregnant women plasma (n = 19, 58.7 +/- 3.7 pg/ml) and umbilical plasma (n = 19, 47.6 +/- 4.7 pg/ml). There was a significant (p less than 0.01) positive correlation between maternal ANP levels and fetal ANP levels (n = 54, r = 0.44). Plasma PRA and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in preeclampsia were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than those of normal pregnancy. The ratio of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 in preeclampsia was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower than that of normal pregnancy as we reported previously. There was no significant correlation between plasma ANP level and plasma PRA, Ang II, plasma TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentrations. Moreover there was no significant correlation between plasma ANP level and the severity of preeclampsia. These data suggest the possibility of a transplacental crossing of ANP secreted by feto-placental unit, which might be, at least in part, responsible for the high ANP levels observed in preeclampsia. The ANP in preeclampsia is not related directly to hypertension, but it may play a substantial role in the regulation or normalization of blood volume and vascular reactivity.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

[Relation of maternal mean arterial pressure and fetal growth course to the onset of preeclampsia in second trimester].

Severe preeclampsia in the second trimester presents a major challenge in management because it is associated with high perinatal mortality. One possible way to improve the perinatal outcome in these pregnancies is to predict the later development of preeclampsia and to start management of it early. To investigate the relationship between the timing of the rise in maternal mean arterial pressure (MAP) and the course of biparietal diameter (BPD) growth in the fetus, we reviewed seven women with preeclampsia diagnosed between 18 and 27 weeks' gestation. MAP increased slowly within the normal range three or four weeks before the onset of the disease. Slowing of the fetal BPD growth curve preceded the onset of preeclampsia by two to four weeks. Serial measurement of BPD from early pregnancy may prevent the onset of severe preeclampsia before 28 weeks' gestation.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1990

The protein synthesis of human full term placenta cell in monolayer culture system.

Protein synthesis of human placenta from cesarean section was analyzed by SDS gel electrophoresis using full term cell culture system. The qualitative pattern of cytoskeletal proteins before and after culture was also examined. After trypsinization, cytotrophoblasts were cultured for 20 days in the humidified incubator of 5% CO2 in 95% air. The confluency was obtained in 10 days after inoculation. The pattern of SDS-PAGE showed several protein bands including actin (43,000 Da) and desmin (55,000 Da) as major constituents of 12 and 20 day cultures. The significant differences between band appearances in samples before and after culturing were noted. The present results indicated that myosin may not be synthesized in high content, differing from previous observations. Cytoskeletal protein production seemed to be markedly enhanced in the cultured system.

Actins↗
PubMed1990

Plasma renin activity, angiotensin II, prostacyclin and thromboxane A2 concentrations in 139 preeclamptic patients.

Plasma renin activity, plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (AngII), stable metabolites (6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha: 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) of prostacyclin (PGI2) and a metabolite (thromboxane B2: TXB2) of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) were measured with radioimmunoassay(RIA) in 107 normal pregnancy (control) and 139 preeclamptic patients in 28-41 gestational weeks. PRA and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were significantly higher and AngII was slightly higher in preeclampsia than in control, and TXB2 was significantly lower in preeclampsia in control. The ratio of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2 was significantly lower in preeclampsia than in control. These data suggest that the changes in the renin-angiotensin system may not be primary alterations in preeclampsia. It can be speculated that in preeclampsia the changes in absolute concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2 are less important than the decrease in the ratio of the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha/TXB2.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Measurement of thyroid hormone concentrations in human placenta.

Concentrations of thyroxine (T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) in the placenta were measured in 7 patients with abortion, in 9 patients with premature delivery, in 16 normal pregnancies and in 4 pregnant women with Graves' disease. The placentas, obtained at delivery, were homogenized and centrifuged at 800 X g. T4, T3 and rT3 concentrations in the supernatants were extracted with 3 vol. of 99% ethanol and measured by RIAs. In normal pregnancy, placental T4, T3 and rT3 concentrations were 18.8 +/- 5.9 (mean +/- SD), 0.026 +/- 0.012, and 1.70 +/- 0.49 ng/g tissue, respectively. Ratios of rT3/T3 and rT3/T4 in the placenta were about 12 and 2.3 times as high as those in the fetal sera, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between the placental T4 and the maternal or cord serum T4 concentrations. However, no correlation was found between the placental T3 or rT3 concentrations and the maternal or cord T3 or rT3 concentrations. In 4 patients with Graves' disease, the placental T4 concentration was elevated. These results indicate that the placental T4 concentration is influenced by both the maternal and fetal serum T4, and elevated ratios of rT3/T3 and rT3/T4 in the placenta might be due to the active placental 5-monodeiodination.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1987

The maternal serum cortisol levels after onset of labor.

We measured maternal cortisol levels after the onset of labor. Blood from 82 primiparas and 48 multiparas were collected 124 times and 60 times, respectively. When duration of labor was within 3 hr, there were no differences in cortisol levels between the primiparous (n = 11, 50.4 +/- 7.0 micrograms/100 ml, mean +/- S.E.) and multiparous (n = 14, 37.8 +/- 4.3 micrograms/100 ml). However, when duration of labor was from 3 to 6 hr, cortisol levels in the primiparas (n = 20, 59.7 +/- 5.1 micrograms/100 ml) were significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than those in the multiparas (n = 22, 46.8 +/- 2.9 micrograms/100 ml). In cases of duration of labor from 6 to 9, cortisol level of the primiparas (n = 24, 64.3 +/- 4.4 micrograms/100 ml) were also significantly (p less than 0.05) higher than those in multiparas (n = 12, 49.4 +/- 4.7 micrograms/100 ml). When duration of labor was more than 9 hr there was no significant difference in cortisol level between the primiparas and multiparas. Maternal cortisol level had a significant (p less than 0.01) negative correlation (n = 166, r = -0.243, Y = -0.09X + 30.47) with unconjugated estriol level. These data suggest that maternal cortisol levels after the onset of labor are slightly different between the primiparous and multiparous, and that maternal unconjugated estriol levels decrease owing to reduction of the feto-placental blood circulation accompanied with uterus contraction during labor.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Serum unconjugated estriol levels during spontaneous labor.

We measured maternal serum unconjugated estriol (SUE3) levels in 244 cases (218 cases with labor and 26 without labor) and investigated the relationships among several obstetrical factors and SUE3 levels. There was no significant difference in the SUE3 level between the group with labor and the group without labor. However, the SUE3 level decreased gradually with prolonged duration of labor in multipara. There were significant positive correlations between the SUE3 levels and birth weights (n = 82, r = 0.375, p less than 0.01) or placental weights (n = 82, r = 0.381, p less than 0.01) in the multipara with labor. The SUE3 levels of fetal distress cases (n = 30, 20.0 +/- 8.6 ng/ml) were significantly (p less than 0.05) lower than those without fetal distress (n = 188, 24.5 +/- 9.7 ng/ml). These data suggest that maternal SUE3 might have been affected with feto-placental function, even after the onset of labor SUE3 levels decrease with prolonged duration of labor.

Cesarean Section↗
PubMed1986

Measurement of TSH in human amniotic fluid: diagnosis of fetal thyroid abnormality in utero.

Using a highly sensitive immunoradiometric assay kit for human TSH, we measured TSH concentrations in unconcentrated amniotic fluids in normal pregnancies and those complicated for example by maternal hyper- and hypothyroidism, and compared them with those in maternal and cord sera. In normal pregnancies the mean concentration of TSH in amniotic fluid samples was 0.129 microU/ml, ranging from 0.065 to 0.278 microU/ml. In patients with premature delivery, the amniotic fluid TSH concentration was higher at 0.218 microU/ml. In four patients with abnormal thyroid function, TSH in amniotic fluid changed in parallel to that in cord serum, and there was a significant positive correlation between the two. No such correlation was observed between the concentrations of TSH in amniotic fluid and maternal serum. These results suggest that TSH in human amniotic fluid reflects fetal rather than maternal thyroid function and that the determination of TSH levels in amniotic fluid is useful in the diagnosis of abnormal thyroid function in fetuses.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1986

A cytosolic binding protein for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in the uterus and deciduoma of rats.

The cytosol fraction of the uterus of proestrous rats and of deciduoma specifically binds 3H-2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (3H-TCDD). The 3H-TCDD binding protein has a sedimentation coefficient of 9 S in low ionic 10-40% sucrose density gradients. The binding of 3H-TCDD in the 9 S region is abolished by a 500-fold molar excess of unlabeled benzo[a]pyrene, 3-methylcholanthrene or by a 100-fold molar excess of unlabeled TCDD. Incubation of the binding protein with TCDD in amounts in excess of 500 nM causes aggregation of the TCDD binding protein. Neither estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone nor cortisol competed with TCDD in binding to this 9 S protein. The decidual tissue contains two binding components for TCDD as shown by Scatchard analysis. One of the components has a high affinity for TCDD (Kd = 1.68 nM) and is saturable. The number of binding sites is about 75 fmol/mg protein. The TCDD binding protein eluted through a DEAE-cellulose column using a gradient of 0.25 M KCl. The binding of estradiol and progesterone to their respective receptors was not affected by TCDD or by other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as shown by sucrose density gradients and by microtiter competition assays. These results suggest that TCDD acts by binding to its own receptor system in the target tissue and not by competing with estrogen or progesterone for binding to their receptors. The possible role of the receptor in teratogenesis is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Serum cortisol levels in pregnancy induced hypertension patients.

We measured the serum cortisol levels in 15 normal and 8 pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) primigravidas. The normal pregnancy had a significant (p less than 0.05) higher cortisol level than that of PIH patient. Especially, 4 severe PIH patients had a significantly (p less than 0.05) lower cortisol level. The lower maternal cortisol level of PIH patients became more significant with the severity of clinical symptoms of PIH. After the onset of labor, the cortisol levels of PIH patients did not elevate compared with normal pregnancy. These data suggest that in the PIH patient the reactivity of the adrenal cortex to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) may be blunted or the cortisol production in the adrenal cortex may be decreased by the tissue circulation insufficiency due to PIH.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Human beta-endorphin and beta-lipotropin levels in maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid.

We measured beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH) levels in human maternal and fetal plasma and amniotic fluid, simultaneously. It appeared evident that maternal circulating levels of beta-EP (n = 11, 163.9 +/- 12.9 pg/ml, mean +/- S.E.) and beta-LPH (n = 11, 413.0 +/- 25.9 pg/ml) at delivery were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than those of maternal plasma at term (beta-EP; n = 4, 18.3 +/- 2.1 pg/ml, beta-LPH; 213.4 +/- 24.3 pg/ml) and those of amniotic fluid (beta-EP; n = 5, 8.5 +/- 1.2 pg/ml, beta-LPH; 215.1 +/- 44.9 pg/ml). Fetal beta-EP levels (n = 11, 79.1 +/- 5.8 pg/ml) were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than those of amniotic fluid. These data suggest that the origin of amniotic fluid beta-EP may be an increased synthesis in the maternal and fetal pituitary gland but not in the placenta.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1986

[TBG, TSH and thyroid hormones in fetus].

In this study, we measured cord serum thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), reverse T3 (rT3), thyroxine binding globulin (TBG) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in 37 fetuses (29-42 gestational weeks). The mean cord serum TBG was 18.2 +/- 3.2 mg/dl (mean +/- S.E., n = 37) and there was no correlation between cord serum TBG levels and gestational weeks. The cord serum T3 levels increased with advancing gestational weeks. On the other hand, cord serum rT3 levels decreased with advancing gestational weeks. There was a significant positive correlation between the TBG and T4 levels after 32 gestational weeks (n = 34, r = 0.545, p less than 0.001), and between the TBG and T3 levels (n = 36, r = 0.65, p less than 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between the TBG and T3 levels after 37 gestational weeks (n = 24, r = 0.43, p less than 0.05). The cord serum TSH levels had a significant difference (p less than 0.05) between preterm fetus (n = 11, 12.8 +/- 2.2 mU/ml, mean +/- S.E.) and term fetus (n = 25, 8.2 +/- 0.8 mU/ml). The T4/TSH ratio in the preterm fetus (0.65 +/- 0.01) was significantly smaller (p less than 0.001) than that of term fetus (1.60 +/- 0.16). These results suggest that thyroid hormones are closely related with TBG in fetus and the sensitivity of the thyroid gland to TSH may increase with advancing gestational weeks.

Alpha-Globulins↗
PubMed1986

[Urinary kallikrein quantity and activity of normal pregnant women and toxemia patients in third trimester].

In this study, urinary kallikrein quantity and activity were measured by the kallikrein direct RIA and kininogenase activity with human low molecular weight kininogen in 32 non pregnant healthy women, 20 normal 3rd trimester pregnant women and 18 3rd trimester hypertension type toxemia patients. There was no significant difference in urinary kallikrein quantity between non pregnant women (n = 32, 64.0 +/- 6.3 micrograms/day, mean +/- SE) and normal pregnant women (n = 20, 68.1 +/- 10.1 micrograms/day). There was a significant difference (p less than 0.001) between non pregnant women and toxemia patients (n = 18, 22.5 +/- 3.3 micrograms/day). There was a significant difference (p less than 0.001) between toxemia patients and normal pregnant women. There was a significant difference (p less than 0.05) in urinary kallikrein activity between non pregnant women (n = 32, 496.2 +/- 57.2 micrograms kinin/day) and normal pregnant women (n = 20, 319.5 +/- 48.1 micrograms kinin/day). There was a significant difference (p less than 0.0001) between non pregnant women and toxemia patients (n = 18, 82.6 +/- 13.6 micrograms kinin/day). There was a significant difference (p less than 0.01) between normal pregnant women and toxemia patients. There were no correlation in both urinary kallikrein quantity and activity between severe type toxemia patients (systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 160mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 110mmHg) and mild type toxemia patients (160mmHg greater than systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 140mmHg and 110mmHg greater than diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 90mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Human placental thyroxine inner ring monodeiodinase in complicated pregnancy.

Production of rT3 from T4 in the placenta were measured in four patients with induced abortion, in three patients with spontaneous abortion, in 19 patients with various complications of pregnancy including Graves' disease, and in 18 normal pregnancies. The placentas, obtained at delivery, were homogenized and centrifuged at 800 X g. Supernatants (1 mg protein) were incubated with 1 microgram of stable T4 and 50 mmol/L dithiothreitol at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes. The generated rT3 was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In patients who delivered at 38 to 41 weeks with complicated pregnancy, the net placental rT3 production from T4 was 7.3 +/- 2.5 ng/tube, which was not significantly different from that obtained in normal pregnancy (8.5 +/- 2.4) at an equivalent gestational age. In patients with abortions, the net placental rT3 generation from T4 was very high, and there was a significant negative correlation between the net placental rT3 production from T4 and gestational age. These results indicate that the net placental rT3 production from T4 is not affected by complications of pregnancy, but shows a significant change with the progress of gestation.

Abortion, Induced↗