Kohzo Aisaka

Mouse Peg9/Dlk1 and human PEG9/DLK1 are paternally expressed imprinted genes closely located to the maternally expressed imprinted genes: mouse Meg3/Gtl2 and human MEG3

Genomic imprinting significantly influences development, growth and behaviour in mammals. Systematic screening of imprinted genes has been extensively carried out to identify the genes responsible for imprinted phenotypes and to elucidate the biological significance of this phenomenon. In this study, we applied DNA chip technology for isolating paternally expressed imprinted genes (Pegs). We compared the resulting expression profiles of parthenogenetic and fertilized control embryos to identify novel imprinted genes.

Effects of red blood cells on the coagulation of blood in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the cellular effects of whole blood, especially of red blood cells, on the hypercoagulability of blood from patients with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN The time elapsed between mixing and the onset of coagulation was measured by means of a highly sensitive rheometer for whole blood, platelet-rich plasma (in which red blood cells had been removed from whole blood), and platelet-free plasma from 3 groups of subjects: 25 nonpregnant women, 25 women with normal pregnancies, and 10 patients with preeclampsia. RESULTS Time to coagulation for whole blood from patients with preeclampsia was significantly shorter than that for whole blood from women with normal pregnancies. However, there was no significant difference in time to coagulation for platelet-rich plasma between women with preeclampsia and those with normal pregnancies. CONCLUSION Hypercoagulability of blood in preeclampsia appears to be strongly related to red blood cell alterations.

New Strategy for Hormone Therapy Using Estrogen Combined With a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator

INTRODUCTION: There are some reports that the administration of selective estrogen receptor modulator preparations in combination with estrogen has shown suitable effects for climacteric women. This combination therapy is referred to as a tissue-selective estrogen complex. The present study was performed to elucidate whether the tissue-selective estrogen complex treatment is useful even in Japanese perimenopausal women. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one perimenopausal women were subjected with the enough informed consent (52.6±2.5 years old). All of the participants had menopausal symptoms and wanted to take the hormone therapy (HT). Then, conjugated estrogen (0.625 mg Premarin/d) and selective estrogen receptor modulator (20 mg Bazedoxifene/d) were administered for 1 year, and the changes of the hot flushes (severe: 3, moderate: 2, mild: 1, none: 0), plasma estradiol, and NTx (type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide) levels and the endometrial thickness (measured by a transvaginal ultrasonic scanner) were evaluated before and during the tissue-selective estrogen complex treatment. RESULTS: A significant improvement was found in the hot flushes (2.8±0.3→0.3±0.2, P<.01). Plasma NTx levels also decreased by the tissue-selective estrogen complex therapy (23.0±12.3→6.1±4.7 nmol BCE/L, P<.025). There were no significant changes in the thicknesses of the endometrium and plasma estradiol levels. No severe side effect could be seen in the tissue-selective estrogen complex treatment. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it was concluded that the tissue-selective estrogen complex treatment improves the climacteric symptoms and bone resorption marker without severe side effects in Japanese perimenopausal women. It is also suspected that the tissue-selective estrogen complex treatment may be a major HT procedure in future.