Kaho Suzuki

Relaxin has anti-apoptotic effects on human trophoblast-derived HTR-8/SV neo cells

Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of human relaxin on apoptosis in the human trophoblast derived HTR-8/SV neo cell line, which is a possible model of human extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). HTR-8/SV neo cells, cultured in phenol red free RPMI1640 medium, were treated with different doses of human recombinant (rH2) relaxin in serum-deprived conditions. RT-PCR was used for evaluating relaxin receptor: RXFP1 and RXFP2 expression in HTR-8/SV neo cells. The cell death was examined by TUNEL assay. Furthermore, we investigated caspase-3, cleaved PARP and Bcl-2 expressions by Western blot analysis to recognize the translational effects of anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic proteins. RXFP1 and RXFP2 mRNA expression was observed in HTR-8/SV neo cells. Compared with untreated control cultures, treatment with rH2 relaxin, decreased TUNEL-positive rate in HTR-8/SV neo cells was observed. Western blot analysis revealed that treatment with rH2 relaxin decreased the expression of caspase-3 and cleaved PARP, but in contrast increased Bcl-2 expression in those cells. These results suggest that rH2 relaxin has anti-apoptotic effects on HTR8/SV neo cells by decreasing pro-apoptotic caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expression and up-regulating anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression.

Recombinant H2 relaxin inhibits apoptosis and induces cell proliferation in cultured leiomyoma cells without affecting those in cultured normal myometrial cells

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of human relaxin on proliferation and apoptosis in cultured human uterine leiomyoma cells and normal myometrial cells. DESIGN In vitro experiment. SETTING Research laboratory at Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine. PATIENT(S) Nine patients undergoing hysterectomy for uterine leiomyoma. INTERVENTION(S) Cultured leiomyoma cells and normal myometrial cells were treated with human recombinant (rH2) relaxin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Human relaxin receptor LGR7 expressions in cultured leiomyoma cells and myometrial cells were evaluated by immunocytochemical staining. Cell proliferation, proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive rate, and TUNEL-positive rate were assessed by MTS assay, immunocytochemistry, and TUNEL assay, respectively. Caspase-3 expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULT(S) LGR7 expression was observed both in cultured human leiomyoma cells and myometrial cells. Compared with untreated control cultures, treatment with rH2 relaxin increased the number of viable cultured leiomyoma cells and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive rate in those cells but not in myometrial cells. Moreover, treatment with rH2 relaxin decreased the TUNEL-positive rate in cultured leiomyoma cells but not in myometrial cells. Similarly, Western blot analysis revealed that treatment with rH2 relaxin decreased the expression of caspase-3 in cultured leiomyoma cells but not in myometrial cells. CONCLUSION(S) These results suggest that rH2 relaxin selectively inhibits apoptosis by down-regulating caspse-3 expression and induces proliferation in cultured human leiomyoma cells without affecting apoptosis or proliferation in normal myometrial cells.

The lowest surviving birth weight infant delivered from a systemic lupus erythematosus mother with antiphospholipid syndrome

We report the intact surviving case of a newborn with a birth weight of 412 g delivered from an active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mother with antiphospholipid syndrome. A review of the literature revealed that our infant is the lowest surviving birth weight in newborns from SLE mothers to date.

Ectopic pregnancy in a patient undergoing therapy for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: a case report

We report a case of an ectopic pregnancy removed via laparoscopic surgery in a patient undergoing therapy for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). A 36-year-old woman, with a history of egg retrieval after ovulation induction with human menopausal gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain and bloating. Ultrasound examination showed an 8-9 cm bilateral adnexal mass and subphrenic ascites. She was diagnosed with moderate OHSS. Despite conservative therapy, symptoms did not improve and the bilateral adnexal mass did not decrease in size. Serum hCG level was 6339 mIU/ml. Ultrasound examination did not detect a gestational sac in the uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a cystic mass in the peritoneal cavity. We strongly suspected ectopic pregnancy in the abdominal cavity. Laparoscopic surgery and intrauterine curettage were performed. The histopathological diagnosis was peritoneal pregnancy. Symptoms disappeared and serum hCG levels decreased. We believe that the peritoneal pregnancy caused OHSS. Even if there is a period when of pregnancy failure via assisted reproductive technology, ectopic pregnancy should be considered. Pregnancy should be confirmed and egg retrieval performed before initiating medical treatment in patients with OHSS.

Adenocarcinoma Represents the Most Frequent Pathological Type among Giant Ovarian Tumors Weighing More than 5,000 g

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between pathology, operative complications and giant ovarian tumor weighing more than 5,000 g. Materials and Methods: We assessed eleven factors of 18 patients with giant ovarian tumors after surgery, including age, Performance Status (PS), total weight of the tumor, fluid weight of the tumor, pathology, side, preoperative serum D-dimer, rate of Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT), intraoperative complications (rate of intra-abdominal adhesion and blood loss weight), and rate of postoperative ICU management. The subjects were divided into two groups: tumor weight ≥10,000 g (group ≥10,000 g) and tumor weight <10,000 g (group <10,000 g), and the same factors were compared between two groups. Results: The most frequent pathology of giant ovarian tumors weighing more than 5,000 g was found to be adenocarcinoma. Compared with eleven patients of group<10,000 g, seven patients out of group ≥10,000 g had significantly higher PS (median: 3 vs. 1, p<0.05), rate of intra-abdominal adhesion (85.7% vs. 9.0%, p<0.05), fluid weight (15.000 g vs. 4.400 g, p<0.05), blood loss weight (890 g vs. 130 g, p<0.05), and rate of postoperative ICU management (85.7% vs. 18.2%, p<0.05), respectively. Conclusions: Much attention should be paid to patients with giant ovarian tumors who confined to bed more than 50% of waking hours (PS 3 or 4), and aggressive surgery is recommended due to a frequent incidence of cancer.