Yasemin Yildirim

Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

Endothelial dysfunction underlies the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, but its mechanism has not yet been completely understood. Elevated oxygen free radicals may partially explain the endothelial cell damage. In this study, we have aimed to measure homocysteine (Hcy) and nitric oxide (NO) levels as endothelial dysfunction markers in preeclamptic women. Nineteen preeclamptic (33.9 ± 1.4 weeks) and 15 gestational-age-matched normal pregnant women (35.5 ± 0.7 weeks) were included in the study. Mean NO level was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and mean Hcy level was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the preeclamptic group. Elevated Hcy and oxygen free radical levels could decrease NO levels due to the reaction with each other and reduced NO may increase blood pressure and ischemia in preeclamptic patients. We have concluded that increased Hcy and oxygen free radical levels, and decreased NO levels are closely associated with preeclampsia-related endothelial dysfunction.

Atherogenic profile in preeclampsia.

Abstract. Atherosis is accepted to underlie the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, therefore we aimed to determine malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), apolipoprotein A-1 (Apo A-1) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels as a marker of atherogenic profile in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. Twenty preeclamptic and 20 gestational-age matched normal pregnant patients were enrolled in the study, mean gestational ages for the preeclamptic and the control group were 33.9±1.4 and 35.5±0.7 weeks, respectively. Blood was withdrawn from the patients soon after diagnosis, and from the controls at their routine prenatal visits. MDA levels was significantly higher in preeclamptic patients (P=0.0003), but no difference was observed in Apo A-1 and Apo B and Lp(a) levels between the 2 groups. We consider that higher MDA was due to oxidative stress seen in preeclampsia, and similar Apo A-1 and Apo B and Lp(a) levels were due to lack of systemic atherosis.

Postpartum depression: is mode of delivery a risk factor?

There are various factors related to postpartum depression. In this study we have aimed to determine the effect of mode of delivery on the risk of postpartum depression. A total of 318 women who applied for delivery were included in the study. Previously diagnosed fetal anomalies, preterm deliveries, stillbirths, and patients with need of intensive care unit were excluded from the study. Data about the patients were obtained during hospital stay. During the postpartum sixth week visit Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was applied. There was no significant difference between EPDS scores when compared according to age, education, gravidity, wanting the pregnancy, fear about birth, gender, family type, and income level (P > 0.05). Those who had experienced emesis during their pregnancy, had a history of depression, and were housewives had significantly higher EPDS scores (P < 0.05). Delivering by spontaneous vaginal birth, elective Cesarean section, or emergency Cesarean section had no effect on EPDS scores. In conclusion healthcare providers should be aware of postpartum depression risk in nonworking women with a history of emesis and depression and apply the EPDS to them for early detection of postpartum depression.

Interleukin-6 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Introduction.Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is associated with higher levels of serum β-hCG levels and hyperthyroidism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is reported to enhance secretion of β-hCG from trophoblastic cell line.Methods.We measured serum levels of IL-6, thyroid hormones and β-hCG of hyperemetic patients and gestational age-matched controls to search for a difference between the two groups.Results.There was a significant difference in β-hCG (p=0.028), though IL-6 levels were higher in the hyperemetic group, it did not reach a significant level. Interleukin-6 positively correlated with β-hCG (r=0.38 and p=0.13).

Evaluation of the effects of gonadotropin-relasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) and agonist (GnRH-a) in the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model with immunohistochemical analysis

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant) and agonist (GnRH-a) in the prevention of postoperative pelvic adhesions by a visual scoring system and immunohistochemical methods in a rat uterine horn model. DESIGN Controlled experimental animal study. SETTING Animal laboratory at an academic research environment. ANIMAL(S) Twenty-one Wistar albino rats. INTERVENTION(S) Rats were randomized into three groups. One week before the operation the rats received either GnRH-ant or GnRH-a or saline solution; they then underwent surgical laparotomy, and both uterine horns were traumatized by a scalpel. Three weeks later, all rats were sacrificed and extension and severity of the adhesions in each group were scored by a visual scoring system. Adhesion tissues were evaluated immunohistochemically for vitronectin and u-PAR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Scores of extend and severity of adhesions and staining of vitronectin and u-PAR. RESULT(S) The extent of adhesion scores were 1.85 ± 0.86, 0.78 ± 1.05, and 0.42 ± 0.64, and the severity of adhesion scores were 1.71 ± 0.91, 0.57 ± 0.85, 0.50 ± 0.75 for control, GnRH-ant, and GnRH-a groups, respectively. The extent and severity of adhesions were significantly lower in both GnRH-ant and GnRH-a groups when compared with the control group. Adhesion extent scores in the GnRH-a group were lower than in the GnRH-ant group, but this difference was not significant. vitronectin and u-PAR staining were significantly greater in both the GnRH-ant and GnRH-a groups than in the control group. CONCLUSION(S) GnRH-ant as well as GnRH-a reduced postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model. This finding was supported immunohistochemically by vitronectin and u-PAR staining.

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-β3 in pregnant human myometrium: Possible associations with labor

Background. Transforming growth factor‐β3 is a cytokine which is involved in cell growth regulation and differentiation, stimulation of extracellular matrix and modulation of immune responses. The goal of this study was to detect the presence of this cytokine in the myometrium of preterm and term, nonlaboring and laboring patients, and to measure serum levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6 and IL‐8 before cesarean section.

Chronic Cervical Perforation by an Intrauterine Device

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a widely used, highly effective method of birth control. Uterine perforation is a rare yet serious complication and is usually seen during insertion of the IUD. A regular examination is necessary for follow-up. We present a patient with an IUD that had perforated the cervix. The diagnosis was made during routine gynecological examination, and the patient was treated in a timely manner before any complications such as ectopic pregnancy, intrauterine pregnancy, infection or irreversible harm to the cervix arose. This case stresses the importance of regular visits to maintain health and diagnose possible adverse effects of intrauterine contraceptive methods.

EKTOPİK GEBELİK TEDAVİSİ: 74 OLGUNUN RETROSPEKTİF DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

Amac: Ektopik gebelik tedavisinde farkli olgularda farkli tedavi yaklasimlarinin ve etkinliginin incelenmesi amaciyla retrospektif olarak olgularin degerlendirilmesidir. Gerec ve yontem: Kasim 2006 – Temmuz 2009 tarihleri arasinda Celal Bayar Universitesi Hastanesi Kadin Hastaliklari ve Dogum Kliniginde ektopik gebelik tanisi alan ve tedavi edilen 74 olgu retrospektif olarak incelendi. Bulgular: Klinigimizde ektopik gebelik tanisi almis 44 hasta sistemik metotreksat tedavisi, 23 hasta cerrahi ve 7 hasta noninvazif nonmedikal bekleyici yaklasim ile tedavi edilmistir. Metotreksat tedavisine yanit %90.9 olarak bulunmustur. Cerrahi endikasyonlari ruptur ve kornual gebelik olarak saptanmistir. Sonuc: Ektopik gebeligin erken ve dogru tanisi mortalite ve morbiditeyi onlemek icin onemlidir. Tedavide metotreksat uygulamasi, cerrahi girisim ve bekleyici yaklasim dogru hastalarda uygulandiginda basari oranlari komplikasyon gelismeden yuksek olmaktadir.