Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P01185 (vasopressin)
 23,126 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

To obtain more information on the importance of prostacyclin (PGI2), and of its stable metabolite 6-oxo-PGF1, in the maintenance of uterine and placental circulation, their pharmacological activity was studied on strips of nonpregnant human uterus and human fallopian tubes, and compared with the action of natural prostaglandins PGE2, PGF2 and PGD2. Prostacyclin induced a biphasic response on strips of uterus and of fallopian tubes; in 6 different experiments an initial contraction followed by relaxation associated with loss of spontaneous motility was constantly observed in a dose dependent manner; PGE2 and PGD2 also inhibited the spasmus induced by PGF2, but not that induced by BaCI2 and vasopressin. The contractions caused by 6-oxo-PGF1 on both uterine and fallopian tube strips were considerably less potent. These experiments clearly demonstrate that PGI2 interferes with spontaneous motility of tonus of the normal uterus. It must be underlined that the effect of PGI2 and of 6-oxo-PGF1 is species dependent, since in rat uterus, unlike in the human uterus, both compounds induce contractions.
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PMID:Pharmacological activity of PGI2 and its metabolite 6-oxo-PGF1alpha on human uterus and fallopian tubes. 35 94

Research on the physiopathologic and biochemical nature of prostaglandins (PGs) suggest that PGs play a role in reproductive physiology. In vitro studies show that the PGE series decrease the motility of the human uterus, fallopian tubes, and ureter, and produce vasodilatation. PGFs cause vasoconstriction and increased motility of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ureter, and gastrointestinal muscle. PGs are also known to inhibit lipolysis, platelet aggregation, and gastric secretion. The exact mechanism of PGs are not fully understood, but evidence suggests that many responses can be attributed to interference with the enzyme adenyl cyclase, which catalyzes the formation of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) from adenosine triphosphate. The adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP system mediates lipolysis, steroidogenesis, gastric secretion, certain smooth muscle motility responses, and increase in permeability due to vasopressin. Early studies of the myometrial effects of PGs showed that the PGE series inhibited the motility of the human myometrium in vitro while the PGF series produced mixed responses. The role of PGF2alpha in parturition has not been established but evidence suggests that it has a potential role as an oxytocic in cases of therapeutic abortion. In the area of human fertility, the physiologic role of PGs in seminal fluid is hypothesized to facilitate the migration of spermatozoa from the vagina into the uterine cavity. Karolinska Institute researchers have found that some infertile males have low PG levels in their ejaculates and are now working with methods of improving the PG levels to improve their fertility. Pickles et al. proposed a potential role for PGs in the etiology of dysmenorrhea, having found a significantly higher ratio of PGF to PGE in a series of patients with severe dysmenorrhea than in a comparable series of normal patients. The luteolytic and antinidatory effects of PGF2alpha are being investigated and studies appear encouraging. PGs have therapeutic potentials in induction of labor, treatment of infertility, morning-after conception, treatment of dysmenorrhea, and contraception by alteration of fallopian tube motility.
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PMID:The role of prostaglandins in reproductive physiology. 491 53

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the female genital tract is rare, constituting less than 2% of all gynecologic malignancies. It occurs most frequently in the cervix but can also occur in the endometrium, ovary, fallopian tube, vagina, and vulva. SCC of the genital tract is microscopically indistinguishable from that of the lung. Neuroendocrine differentiation is often manifested by a histologic growth pattern, argyrophilia, ultrastructural demonstration of secretory granules, and expression of neuroendocrine markers. Patients with SCC of the female genital tract may be asymptomatic but usually present with localized pain, vaginal bleeding, abdominal bloating or a mass, or symptoms of metastasis disease to the liver, bone, lung, or regional lymph nodes. Ectopic Cushing's syndrome has been reported in SCC of the vagina, and hypercalcemia and inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone have been noted with SCC of the ovary. In general, these tumors have an aggressive clinical course with a propensity for extensive local invasion and distant metastases. Therapy has included surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy akin to those regimens used for SCC of the lung. Although there are no randomized clinical trials, it appears that multimodality therapy is associated with the best results and is the treatment of choice for most patients. Despite aggressive therapy, however, the prognosis for SCC of the female genital tract is poor, with only a minority of patients enjoying a prolonged survival. Indeed, the majority of patients have an early demise with extensive distant disease. We review the clinical features, evaluation, and management of SCC of the female genital tract based on a comprehensive review of the literature.
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PMID:Small cell carcinoma of the female genital tract. 1727 Jun 67

Catholic bioethicists have extensively addressed extrauterine tubal pregnancies, which represent the great majority of ectopic pregnancies. However, additional management options have been developed for the other 7-10 percent of ectopic pregnancies. Using two cases of interstitial pregnancy and two cases of cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) seen at a Catholic tertiary care center, this article discusses options including expectant management, systemic methotrexate, intragestational methotrexate, intragestational potassium chloride, uterine artery embolization, dilation and curettage (D&C), vasopressin use, cornuostomy, cornual wedge resection, CSP evacuation, CSP scar excision, CSP salvage, and hysterectomy. Cornual wedge resection, vasopressin use, and CSP scar excision are morally acceptable; less clearly licit are aspiration of gestational sac contents, cornuostomy, gestational excision for CSPs, and methotrexate. Certainly illicit are any techniques leading to direct abortion such as D&Cs on live embryos or fetuses, double-balloon catheter placement, and use of potassium chloride. Summary: An ectopic pregnancy is any pregnancy outside the uterus. These are dangerous because the pregnancy can burst out of its abnormal location and cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Most are in the part of the fallopian tube outside the uterus, but there are other types, including interstitial pregnancies (located in the part of the tube tunneling through the uterine wall) and cesarean scar pregnancies (buried in the uterine scar where the cut for a C-section was made). This article lists the ways that physicians prevent women from dying from interstitial and cesarean scar pregnancies and proposes which treatments are morally acceptable.
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PMID:The Ethics of Interstitial and Cesarean Scar Ectopic Pregnancies: Four Case Studies and a Review of the Literature. 3027 10