Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0033377 (prolapse)
 11,717 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Our laboratory previously demonstrated that the human myometrium contains functional hCG/LH receptors. The present study investigated whether hCG can directly regulate oxytocin-stimulated human myometrial contractions. Uterine specimens were obtained from 30- to 40-yr-old women undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyomata, metrorrhagia, or prolapse. Myometrial strips from the lower uterine segment were primed for 24 h with 2.2 nmol/L estradiol. Then, the slices were incubated for 4 h at 37 C with or without 10 nmol/L hCG and stimulated with 1 mumol/L oxytocin, and the contractions were measured. The results showed that hCG inhibited the amplitude while paradoxically increasing the frequency of contractions. The effect of hCG was seen in proliferative, but not secretory, phase myometrial specimens. hCG had no effect on rat hepatic portal vein smooth muscle contractions, suggesting that the hCG action was tissue specific. Oxytocin treatment of human myometrial smooth muscle cells resulted in a dose-dependent increase in intracellular free Ca2+ levels. Pretreatment with hCG resulted in an attenuation of the oxytocin response, suggesting that the action of hCG was mediated by decreasing intracellular free Ca2+ levels. In summary, our results demonstrate that hCG can directly inhibit the amplitude of oxytocin-stimulated contractions of human myometria from the proliferative phase of the cycle. The hCG action is tissue specific and appears to be mediated by decreasing intracellular free Ca2+ levels in myometrial smooth muscle cells.
 ...
PMID:Direct regulation of human myometrial contractions by human chorionic gonadotropin. 798 59

Premature rupture of membranes is defined as expulsion of the amniotic liquid occurring at least 1 hour before initiation of uterine contractions and without apparent cervical changes. According to the literature, premature rupture of membranes occurs in 2-15% of all pregnancies, with an average of 10%. The etiology is considered multifactorial, and treatment remains controversial. A retrospective review was conducted to determine the occurrence of maternal or perinatal morbidity and mortality in 230 cases of premature rupture of membranes in a social security hospital in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, observed between 1983-88. Premature rupture occurred in 3.5% of cases according to the records. 37.4% of affected mothers were 21-25 years old and 69.6% were 21.30. 62.9% of the women were nulliparas. 2.2% had had no prenatal care, 59.1% had insufficient prenatal care, defined as 1-5 visits and only 36.1% had 6 or more visits. 81.3% of ruptures occurred at 37-42 weeks of gestation. In 64.8% of cases the pregnancy was terminated within 1-24 hours and 35.2% were considered prolonged. Prematurity and low birth weight was the most common perinatal disorders, affecting 10.9%. Respiratory difficulty syndrome affected 4.3%. 60% of infants with respiratory problems were born at less than 37 weeks gestation. Neonatal sepsis occurred in 3% of cases and prolapse of the umbilical cord in 1.3%. Perinatal mortality averaged 2.6%. Prematurity was a factor in all cases. Respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal sepsis were each present in 50% of cases and hyperbilirubinemia in 33%. 8.7% of the mothers developed chorioamnionitis. Only 23.9% terminated their pregnancies spontaneously. Oxytocin was used to induce labor in 30.4% and cesareans were performed in 44.8%.
 ...
PMID:[Premature rupture of membranes: maternal - perinatal morbidity and mortality in the Dominican Republic]. 1231 12