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Biomedical subjects

P Martyn

Publications and source records attributed to P Martyn.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Endometrial stromal sarcoma diagnosed after hysteroscopic endometrial resection.

Endometrial ablation and resection is now common therapy for dysfunctional uterine bleeding that is unresponsive to conservative management. Opponents argue that it may predispose patients to potentially hazardous malignancies of the uterus. In our patient, endometrial resection was performed to treat menorrhagia after a negative workup. Pathologic interpretation of the resected tissue showed a low-grade stromal sarcoma of the endometrium. The woman underwent definitive treatment, which included total abdominal hysterectomy, and has remained recurrence free over the past 3 years. Although rare, uterine malignancies have been documented after hysteroscopic management of menorrhagia. It is suggested that intraoperative endometrial resection or tissue sampling be done to prevent or diagnose endometrial hyperplasia and uterine malignancies.

Endometrial Neoplasms↗

Long-term follow-up of endometrial ablation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess long-term outcome of endometrial ablation for treatment of menorrhagia. DESIGN: Five-year, prospective longitudinal study (Canadian Task Force classification II=1). SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: The first 301 women in a continuing series of over 550 patients undergoing hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. INTERVENTION: Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were followed at regular intervals for 24 to 60 months (mean 28 mo). Outcomes were reported in terms of control of menstrual blood loss and menstrual pain with respect to normal uterus, fibroid uterus, dysmenorrhea, and patient age. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation is effective for relief of menorrhagia and associated dysmenorrhea in selected patients. Success may decline with increasing length of follow-up.

Adult↗

The inhibitory effect of rosmarinic acid on complement involves the C5 convertase.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a naturally occurring extract from Melissa officinalis, inhibits several complement-dependent inflammatory processes and may have potential as a therapeutic agent for the control of complement activation in disease. Rosmarinic acid has been reported to have effects on both the classical pathway C3-convertase and on the cobra venom factor-induced, alternative pathway convertase. In order to define the mechanism of inhibition, the effect of RA on classical and alternative pathway lysis, C1q binding, the classical pathway convertase, the alternative pathway convertase, membrane attack pathway lysis and the generation of fragments of C3 and C5 during activation, was tested in vitro. The results showed that RA inhibited lysis by the classical pathway more than by the alternative pathway. This effect was dose-dependent with maximum inhibition of classical pathway lysis observed at 2.6 mmoles of RA. There was little effect on C1q binding or on the classical and alternative pathway convertases. However, there was highly significant inhibition of lysis of pre-formed EA43b cells by dilutions of human or rabbit serum in the presence of RA (1 mM); this was accompanied by inhibition of C5a generation. We conclude that the inhibitory effect of RA involves the C5 convertase. Such inhibition could be advantageous to the host in disorders where the terminal attack sequence plays a role in pathogenesis.

Animals↗

Studies of the acute phase response in experimental serum sickness.

The acute phase behavior of C-reactive protein (C-RP), the third component of complement (C3) and total haemolytic complement activity was studied during the course of acute serum sickness (ASS) in rabbits. The specific aim was to establish whether the induction protocol caused a significant change in the serum concentration of proteins (such as C3) which could modify the outcome of the disease. ASS was induced by an intravenous (IV) bolus of bovine serum albumin (250 mg/Kg) with or without prior subcutaneous (SC) immunization with 4 mg BSA in complete Freund's adjuvant. Thirty-six animals received a full induction regimen (i.e., both SC and IV BSA). A further six rabbits were given either IV or SC BSA alone, in order to define the basis for acute phase changes observed when both injections were given. Twelve animals received a standard acute phase stimulus with intramuscular (IM) turpentine--2 or 3 ml--as a comparison to the response observed in the experimental animals. Nine, 14 and 24 animals showed a rise in C-RP (i.e., five-fold increase), C3 and haemolytic activity (greater than 25% increase) respectively after a full induction protocol. Eight, nine and five animals showed a comparable rise with IM turpentine. Studies with IV or SC BSA alone showed that the latter was predominantly responsible for the rise in C-RP and haemolytic activity. Specifically, five and four animals respectively showed a significant rise in these two parameters. Three animals showed a rise in C-RP following IV BSA alone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acute Disease↗

Long-chain fatty acid esters of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol: composition and turnover in human mammary cancer cells in culture.

Long-chain fatty acid esters of the adrenal-derived estrogen 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol (ADIOL) were found to accumulate in four human mammary cancer cell lines (MCF-7, ZR-75-1, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330) when explosed to 10-30 nM ADIOL for variable time periods. At each time point examined, the monoester fraction, which represented the major component of the total lipoidal fraction, contained fatty acids linked to either the 3 beta- or 17 beta-positions. However, there was considerable variation in the ratio of 3 beta- to 17 beta-monoesters in the four cell lines. By means of reverse phase HPLC and referral to authentic synthesized compounds, each monoester fraction was found to contain a number of long-chain fatty acid components whose composition resembled that previously determined for the fatty acid esters formed from 17 beta-estradiol. A specific and measurable turnover of a subfraction of ADIOL-17 beta-monoesters composed of essential fatty acids (22:6, 20:4, 18:3) occurred in MCF-7 cells, and to a lesser extent in ZR-75-1 cells. No changes were observed with time in any of the components of the 3 beta- or 17 beta-monoester fractions in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330 cells. These results, coupled with other studies, now suggest that a very rapid turnover of some components of these lipoidal derivatives may be occurring. If so, it is possible that the system of acylation-deacylation may be involved in a transport mechanism for estrogens and perhaps other steroid hormones.

Acylation↗

Properties of fatty acyl-coenzyme A: estradiol-17 beta acyltransferase in bovine placenta microsomes.

The properties of the enzyme catalyzing the formation of non-polar derivatives of estradiol-17 beta (E2) esterified to long-chain fatty acids have been investigated in microsomal preparations from bovine placenta cotyledons. A rapid enzyme assay has been developed which involves simple solvent partitioning. The membrane-bound enzyme showed a pH optimum of 5.0 and addition of fatty acyl-coenzymes A (CoAs), such as oleoyl-CoA, palmitoyl-CoA and palmitoleoyl-CoA, increased [3H]E2-fatty acyl ester formation from [3H]E2 by some 7-fold. Linoleoyl-CoA, linolenoyl-CoA and arachidonoyl-CoA were much less effective as acyl donors. Only 17 beta-fatty acyl monoesters were synthesized in each instance. Similar results were obtained with microsomes or mitochondria from bovine endometrium. The apparent Km for E2 employing placenta microsomes was 8.0 +/- 2.2 (SD) microM. Steroids such as testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol acted as competitive inhibitors (Ki values 79, 46 and 39 microM, respectively). These, and other data to be reported separately, which showed that these steroids were substrates for the enzyme, demonstrate that the latter is not specific for E2. The [3H]E2-fatty acyl ester fractions biosynthesized from [3H]E2 and bovine placental or endometrial tissue were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and were found to have similar compositions characterized by a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

Selective turnover of the essential fatty acid ester components of estradiol-17 beta lipoidal derivatives formed by human mammary cancer cells in culture.

The properties of fatty acyl coenzyme A: estradiol-17 beta acyl transferase in microsomes derived from pooled human mammary cancer tissue have been examined. A pH optimum of 5.5 was found and addition of long-chained fatty acyl CoAs increased estradiol-17 beta (E2) 17-monoacyl ester synthesis; the apparent Km for E2 being 8 microM when oleoyl CoA, linolenoyl CoA or palmitoyl CoA were employed. Testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, and 5-androsterone-3 beta, 17 beta-diol acted as competitive inhibitors with Ki values of 36, 36 and 46 microM, respectively. The composition of E2 fatty acyl esters (E2-L) formed by incubation of [3H]E2 with human mammary cancer tissue and human mammary cancer cell lines has been determined by HPLC. Although the composition of E2-L in estrogen receptor negative cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330) was generally similar to that found for MCF-7 cells (estrogen receptor positive) and pooled human mammary cancer tissue, the former cell lines contained a 3-fold higher relative concentration of E2-17 beta stearate. MCF-7 cells were exposed to 30 nM [3H]E2 and the composition of the isolated [3H]E2-L fraction studied at various time intervals. At 0.5 h, the intracellular concentration of E2-L was 1.8 +/- 0.4 (SEM) pmol/mg DNA which increased to values of 3.6 +/- 0.6 and 4.3 +/- 0.5 at 4 h and 16 h, respectively. In the subsequent 3 h following transfer to medium lacking [3H]E2, the concentration of E2-L declined to 3.7 +/- 0.3 pmol/mg DNA. The subfraction of E2-L composed of E2-17 beta arachidonate, linolenate and docosahexaenoate, was seen to decline in relative abundance after 0.5 h and to reach significantly lower relative levels at 16 h, and again in the 3 h period following estrogen withdrawal. The data suggests that these components, derived from essential fatty acids, are more metabolically active. This may then provide a new lead to link these novel estrogen derivatives with the established relationship between unsaturated fatty acids and an increased mammary cancer incidence.

Acyl Coenzyme A↗

The effect of progesterone on prolactin stimulation of fatty acid synthesis, glycerolipid synthesis and lipogenic-enzyme activities in mammary glands of pseudopregnant rabbits, after explant culture or intraductal injection.

The activities of lipogenic enzymes, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glycerolipid synthesis increased significantly in mammary explants of 11-day-pseudopregnant rabbits in response to prolactin, in the presence of near-physiological concentrations of insulin and corticosterone in culture. Increasing the concentration of progesterone in culture resulted in suppression of glycerolipid synthesis and activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase, but not the pentose phosphate dehydrogenases. However, at near-physiological concentration of progesterone, only acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was decreased. Injection of prolactin intraductally into 11-day-pseudopregnant rabbits stimulated glycerolipid synthesis, fatty acid synthesis and enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis, after 3 days. Intraductal injection of progesterone separately or together with prolactin had no significant effect on basal or stimulated lipogenesis in mammary glands. Intramuscular injection of progesterone at 10 mg/day did not suppress fatty acid synthesis stimulated when prolactin was injected intraductally, but a significant inhibition was observed at a higher dose (80 mg/day).

Animals↗

Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis in rabbit mammary alveolar explants by progesterone and related steroids.

The possible inhibitory effect of steroids related to progesterone on prolactin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis in mammary alveolar explants from 11-day pseudopregnant rabbits, after culture, was investigated. Like progesterone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, 20 alpha-dihydroprogesterone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, ethinodiol diacetate, ORG 2058 were inhibitory whereas pregnenolone and 5 alpha-pregnan-3,20-dione were not.

Acetates↗

Effect of progesterone alone and in combination with either corticosterone, 17 beta-estradiol or insulin on prolactin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis in mammary explants from pseudopregnant rabbits.

Progesterone up to 15.9 mumol/l progressively suppressed prolactin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis in cultured mammary explants from 11-day pseudopregnant rabbits, but did not influence the proportion of fatty acids of medium chain length (C8:0-C12:0). Greater sensitivity to progesterone inhibition was observed at the low end of the ranges of corticosterone (29 nmol/l) and insulin (4.2 nmol/l) concentrations in the culture medium, which suggests an interaction between the hormones. A range of from 0.0001 to 10 mumol/l of 17 beta-estradiol concentrations had no effect on prolactin-stimulated fatty acid synthesis in the presence or absence of progesterone.

Animals↗

Initiation of lipogenic enzyme activities in rat mammary glands.

The activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, ATP citrate-lyase and fatty acid synthetase remained low until parturition at 22 days of gestation and increased significantly within 1 day post partum. Administration of progesterone on days 20 and 21 and at parturition abolished the increases for at least 48 h after parturition. Removal of the pups of normal rats prevented the increases in activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP citrate-lyase, but not of fatty acid synthetase, and administration of prolactin corticosterone or insulin did not stimulate activity. Tissue from suckled glands in which the ducts had been ligated at parturition showed no increase in the activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP citrate-lyase within 24 h, whereas fatty acid synthetase activity was similar to that in the sham-operated contralateral glands. Foetoplacentectomy on day 18 increased the activity of fatty acid synthetase but not of acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP citrate-lyase; suckling of these dams by foster pups increased both acetyl-CoA carboxylase and ATP citrate-lyase.

ATP Citrate (pro-S)-Lyase↗

Initiation of fatty acid synthesis in rat mammary glands.

The rate of fatty acid synthesis from [6-14C]glucose in mammary tissue remained low until parturition at 22 days of gestation and increased 10-fold at 1 day post partum. Administration of progesterone on days 20 and 21 or removal of pups at parturition abolished this increase. In the latter case, administration of prolactin, corticosterone or oxytocin had no stimulatory effect; tissue from suckled glands in which the ducts had been ligated at parturition also showed no increased rate in 24 h. Foetoplacentectomy on day 18 did not stimulate fatty acid synthesis but subsequent suckling by foster pups did. Whereas lactose synthesis is initiated by withdrawal of progesterone from the circulation, a further stimulus related to removal of milk by suckling is required to initiate fatty acid synthesis.

Animals↗

Formation and turnover of long-chain fatty acid esters of 5-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta -diol in estrogen receptor positive and negative human mammary cancer cell lines in culture.

Microsomal preparations derived from bovine placenta cotyledons, previously investigated as a convenient source of fatty acyl coenzyme A: estradiol-17 beta-acyl transferase, have been shown to acylate other steroids bearing 3 beta- or 17 beta-hydroxyl groups. In the presence of 0.1 mM oleoyl CoA, the apparent Km values for dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, and 5-androstene-3 beta,17 beta-diol (delta 5-DIOL) were 45, 67, and 20 microM, respectively. Acylation of delta 5-DIOL occurred at either the 3 beta- or 17 beta-positions to give monoesters. Testosterone, estradiol-17 beta, and delta 5-DIOL acted as competitive inhibitors for the acylation of the 3 beta-hydroxyl group of dehydroepiandrosterone (Ki values 71, 75, and 41 microM, respectively). Such data indicate that a single enzyme of wide substrate specificity may be involved in these acylation reactions. When estrogen receptor (ER) positive and negative human mammary cancer cell lines were incubated with 10 nM [3H]delta 5-DIOL, intracellular accumulation of delta 5-DIOL long-chain fatty acid esters occurred; rates being higher (p less than 0.001) in ER negative cells (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-330) compared to MCF-7 cells (ER positive), and higher (P less than 0.005) in MDA-MB-231 cells compared to ZR-75-1 cells (ER positive). After exposure to 10 nM [3H]delta 5-DIOL for 16 h, the total labeled steroid fatty acid fraction was composed predominantly of delta 5-DIOL-3 beta- and 17 beta-monoesters (approximately 85%), the remainder containing approximately equal amounts of delta 5-DIOL-diesters and dehydroepiandrosterone-3 beta-esters. Subsequent transfer to medium lacking delta 5-DIOL was accompanied by a breakdown of the labeled esters, which was more rapid in the ER positive cell lines. During this period, intracellular free delta 5-DIOL levels rapidly declined in MDA-MB-330 cells but were maintained in MCF-7 cells, presumably by binding to ER. This behavior parallels that of estradiol-17 beta previously observed in these cell lines and further emphasizes the potential importance of the adrenal-derived estrogen delta 5-DIOL in consideration of a hormone-based etiology of human breast cancer.

Androstenediol↗

Reciprocal secondment.

Reciprocal secondment can improve relationships between organisations and be of great benefit to the individuals involved. Damien Black and Paula Martyn describe the planning and outcomes of their reciprocal secondment in the fields of health authority nursing and nurse education.

Clinical Competence↗