PubMed · 13999998
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R van WERING. 1962. [A coagulation defect].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13999998/
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OBJECTIVES: We measured S100B levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity retrospectively in amniotic fluid samples from pregnancies with normal and Down syndrome (DS) fetuses. DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples from 26 normal and 71 Down syndrome fetuses were studied. S100B protein levels were determined using LIA-mat Sangtec kit, and SOD activity was measured with the RANSOD kit. RESULTS: We observed significantly higher levels of S100B in the Down group (median of 1.24 microg/l) than in the control group (median 0.69 microg/l). S100B concentration in DS samples increased from the 13th to the 18th week of gestation and was positively correlated with gestational age. The amniotic fluid SOD activity in the DS group (16.60 U/mg/prot) was significantly higher than in the normal one (10.78 U/mg/prot). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that S100B and SOD in amniotic fluid could be used as additional parameters for prenatal screening of trissomy 21 and that S100B values are associated with the gestational age.
BACKGROUND: Amniotic fluid contains a significant level of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI). Previously, we reported that UTI inhibits calcium influx of myometrium and it is effective in preventing uterine contraction. This study examined the effects of UTI upon potassium channels, which is important for membrane excitability. METHODS: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in fibroblasts derived from human fetal skin. Potassium currents were recorded and the effects of exogenous UTI and/or cadmium determined. RESULTS: Tetraethylammonium sensitive potassium currents were elicited by step or ramp stimulations at depolarized membrane potentials (over +30 mV). Administration of 1 micro M UTI significantly increased these potassium currents by 16.9%. When calcium channels were blocked by the administration of cadmium, UTI increased the rest of the potassium currents by 4.8%. This indicates that UTI increased calcium-dependent potassium currents by 94.8% but only increased voltage-dependent potassium currents by 4.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary trypsin inhibitor is a physiological substance of fetal origin that modulates calcium-dependent and voltage-dependent potassium channels. These data suggest that UTI is capable of regulating the membrane properties of the fetal and myometrial cells in contact with amniotic fluid.
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