Gertrud Peiker

Nocturnal urinary 6-sulphatoxymelatonin excretion is decreased in primary breast cancer patients compared to age-matched controls and shows negative correlation with tumor-size.

Bartsch C, Bartsch H, Karenovics A, Franz H, Peiker G, Mecke D. Nocturnal urinary 6‐sulphatoxymelatonin excretion is decreased in primary breast cancer patients compared to age‐matched controls and shows negative correlation with tumor‐size. J. Pineal Res. 1997; 23:53–58.

MRI of the pelvic ring joints postpartum: Normal and pathological findings

To assess the joints of the pelvic ring postpartum and to discern normal postpartum findings and pathologic lesions using MRI.

Might wasp venom desensitization induced Th2 to Th1 shift cause pregnancy failure

The case of a 28‐year‐old woman under wasp venom desensitization having a premature birth in her 24th week of pregnancy 16 days after the last injection is described. To test the hypothesis that a special profile of immune cells in the decidua may trigger abortions, placental and decidual tissue sections were stained with antibodies against T cells (CD3), cytotoxic cells (CD8), natural killer cells (CD56), and mast cells, and an in‐situ‐hybridization was performed for tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). CD56+ Natural killer cells were the dominating population. In earlier analyses of healthy first trimester decidua the percentage of NK cells and T cells was in a similar range, but the CD8:CD3 ratio was only 2.2% in contrast to 27% in the present case. Mast cells, which are known to be able to secrete abortogenic TNF‐α, were only detectable in the decidua (10 cells/mm2) and decidua sections were TNF‐α positive. Since SIT induces a shift of the interleukin and functional profile from a Th2 type towards a Th1 type, and pregnancy is dependent on a Th2 pronounced profile, SIT may trigger abortions or immature births. This is supported by the present results and might have happened in this case.

Das Verhalten von Antioxidanzien nach Schnittentbindung und Substitution von Multibionta® N, Inzolen® und selenase®

Summary□Patients and Method: In 29 women with the necessity to terminate pregnancy via Cesarean section, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative state were investigated before and 24 hours after the surgical intervention as well as after substitution of antioxidants and trace elements.□Results: The results indicate that administration of antioxidants protects at least partially from consequences of surgically induced oxidative burden.

Verhalten von thiobarbitursäurereaktiven Substanzen (TBARS), alpha-Tocopherol, Glutathion und Selen während der hypertensiven Erkrankung in der Schwangerschaft

PATIENTS AND METHOD In a longitudinal study the changes of serum or plasma levels of TBARS, alpha-tocopherol, glutathione and selenium were investigated comparing 46 pregnant women with hypertensive syndrome and 18 women with normal pregnancies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in TBARS serum level was found in women suffering from hypertension. There was no correlation between the severity of hypertension and the extent of the TBARS rise. An absolute deficiency of the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, glutathione and the elements selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc as a cause or a consequence of hypertension in pregnancy could be excluded. Low serum levels of copper and selenium could decrease the activity of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) resulting in higher levels of TBARS and glutathione during the last trimester of pregnancy and delivery. Increased concentrations of iron in women with hypertensive syndrome may affect the formation of lipid peroxides. The outcome of children was unaffected by increased lipid peroxide levels when an antihypertensive therapy was consequently performed.Summary□Patients and Method: In a longitudinal study the changes of serum or plasma levels of TBARS, alpha-tocopherol, glutathione and selenium were investigated comparing 46 pregnant women with hypertensive syndrome and 18 women with normal pregnancies.□Results and Conclusions: A significant increase in TBARS serum levels was found in women suffering from hypertension. There was no correlation between the severity of hypertension and the extent of the TBARS rise. An absolute deficiency of the antioxidants alpha-tocopherol, glutathione and the elements selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc as a cause or a consequence of hypertension in pregnancy could be excluded. Low serum levels of copper and selenium could decrease the activity of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) resulting in higher levels of TBARS and glutathione during the last trimester of pregnancy and delivery. Increased concentrations of iron in women with hypertensive syndrome may affect the formation of lipid peroxides. The outcome of children was unaffected by increased lipid peroxide levels when an antihypertensive therapy was consequently performed.