rhG-CSF和间充质干细胞移植治疗心肌梗死的比较研究

目的 比较分析rhG-CSF和MSCs移植对梗死心肌的修复作用,并分析其可能作用机制.方法 选择纯种大白兔45只(死亡10只),分为rhG-CSF组(n=12)、MSCs移植组(n=10)和对照组(n=13),于心肌梗死后30d,分别检测其心功能、梗死心肌的形态学以及新生毛细血管密度.结果 与对照组相比,rhG-CSF组和MSCs移植左心室收缩末期内径、舒张末期内径明显降低,心功能提高,室壁厚度增加,心肌梗死面积缩小,而梗死区和梗死边缘区新生毛细血管密度增加,具有统计学意义.结论 rhG-CSF应用和MSCS移植治疗兔心肌梗死,可明显改善心功能,缩小梗死面积,增加梗死心肌新生毛细血管密度.     

骨髓间充质干细胞不同时期移植对心肌梗死大鼠心功能的影响

目的:探讨心肌梗死后骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)移植的最佳时间. 方法: 结扎大鼠左冠状动脉制备心肌梗死模型,将分离培养的大鼠MSCs经尾静脉分别移植到1 d, 1, 2, 4 wk移植组体内(各组n=10),对照组则注入等量培养液(n=10). 4 wk后测定左心功能指标和心肌缺血梗死面积. 结果: 心肌梗死后1 d移植组左心功能和心肌缺血梗死面积与对照组无明显差别(P＞0.05),而1, 2, 4 wk移植组与1 d移植组对比左心功能明显改善(P＜0.05),心肌缺血梗死面积显著减小(P＜0.05),其中2 wk移植组效果优于1 wk移植组和4 wk移植组(P＜0.05). 结论:心肌梗死后1～2 wk亚急性期进行细胞移植效果最好.     

Y染色体追踪大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞心肌移植的实验研究

目的 利用Y染色体检测雄性大鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)移植到雌性大鼠心肌梗死模型中的存活情况。方法 采用全骨髓贴壁筛选法体外培养雄性大鼠的骨髓间充质干细胞作为移植细胞,选取80只雌性大鼠通过结扎左冠状动脉前降支制备心肌梗死模型,其中45只成功建立模型。成模后2周按以下分组进行细胞移植：将模型动物随机分为心外膜直接注射MSCs组(A组,n=15)、经静脉移植MSCs组(B组,n=15)和经静脉注射等量DMEM培养液组(C组,n=15),通过实时定量PCR检测雄性大鼠Y染色体特有的SRY基因,观察移植后1d、1周、2周及3周时MSCs在梗死心肌的存活情况。结果 经心外膜直接注射组和经静脉移植组通过PCR均可检测出SRY基因的存在,移植后两组的心功能得到明显的改善(P<0.05)。结论 MSCs经心外膜和静脉移植均可分布于心肌梗死周围区域,对梗死后大鼠的心脏具有保护作用。     

二维应变超声心动图评价干细胞移植对心肌梗死大鼠左心室局部收缩功能的影响

目的应用二维应变超声心动图(2-dimensional strain echocardiography,2DSE)观察心肌梗死大鼠在骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)移植后局部心肌功能改善情况,探讨2DSE在心肌梗死大鼠干细胞移植研究中心功能评价的价值。方法 40只SD大鼠随机分为心肌梗死组(n=14)、MSCs治疗组(n=16)和对照组(n=10),心肌梗死组与MSCs组建立心肌梗死模型,对照组只进行假手术。MSCs组在梗死区心肌局部注射DAPI标记的MSCs,心肌梗死组和对照组只注射DMEM培养基。分别于术前1天和术后1周、术后4周用2DSE观察左心室乳头肌水平短轴局部室壁运动情况。术后4周用荧光显微镜观察心肌梗死区移植细胞分布,免疫组化检测移植细胞的肌钙蛋白表达情况。结果术后4周,MSCs治疗组局部室壁的径向应变和应变率高于心肌梗死组(P<0.01);MSCs组心肌梗死区可见DAPI标记阳性的细胞,该区肌钙蛋白表达阳性。结论 2DSE可以检测出心肌梗死大鼠在MSCs移植后局部心肌收缩功能的改善,可成为干细胞移植研究中可选择的敏感的无创性指标。     

大鼠骨髓单个核细胞移植治疗心肌梗死

目的:探讨大鼠骨髓单个核细胞(mononuclear bone marrow cells,MBMCs)移植方法对梗死心肌的治疗效果.方法:无菌条件下取成年雄性近交系Wistar大鼠股骨和胫骨,常规抽取骨髓,分离制备MBMCs悬液.将成年雄性近交系Wistar大鼠46只随机分为空白对照组(组Ⅰ,n=10)、梗死对照组(组Ⅱ,n=18)、细胞移植组(组Ⅲ,n=18).用结扎冠状动脉左前降支的方法建立大鼠心肌梗死模型,在建模后2周分别将10μl MBMCs(6×106)悬液和等量磷酸盐缓冲液(PBS)植入组Ⅱ和组Ⅲ的梗死周边区.用心脏超声观察细胞移植后4周的心脏功能改变,用免疫荧光和免疫组化及电镜观察移植细胞在心肌梗死区及梗死周边区的存活、增殖和分化情况.结果:MBMCs移植4周后,移植组超声检查左室功能重建指标如左室射血分数(EF)、左室短轴缩短率(FS)、左室前壁厚度(LVAWT)均较梗死对照组改善明显(P＜0.05);移植组血流动力学检查指标如左室收缩压(LVSP)、左室舒张末压(LVEDP)和左室舒张压力时间变化最大速率(±dp/dtmax)也优于梗死对照组(P＜0.05).MBMCs移植6周后,大鼠心肌梗死区有移植细胞存活、增殖,并分化为有心肌细胞特征的细胞.结论:实验证实用MBMCs移植治疗心肌梗死,可以明显改善梗死后心脏功能.这一效果可能与MBMCs移植相关的心肌再生和新生血管形成有关.     

自体骨骼肌卫星细胞心肌移植对心肌梗死大鼠心肌纤维化的影响

目的了解自体骨骼肌卫星细胞(satellite cell,SC)心肌移植对心肌梗死(myocardial infarction,MI)大鼠心肌纤维化的影响及可能机制。方法45只Wistar大鼠随机分为假手术组(n=15)、对照组(n=15)及移植组(n=15),对照组及移植组大鼠经结扎冠状动脉前降支建立MI模型;假手术组除不结扎左前降支外,其余操作同对照组和移植组。将体外培养2周的大鼠自体SC以注射的方式移植到移植组大鼠梗死区周围,4周后测定各组大鼠缺血心肌VEGFmRNA的表达、VEGF蛋白质的表达、缺血心肌毛细血管密度的变化及缺血心肌的纤维化程度,同时观察移植细胞在梗死区的生长、增殖情况并探讨它们相互的关系。结果SC在梗死区中可增殖分化为横纹肌纤维;SC移植4周后,与假手术组比较,对照组大鼠缺血心肌中毛细血管密度明显增高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),而移植组大鼠缺血心肌中毛细血管密度及VEGFmRNA、VEGF蛋白质的表达较之假手术组、对照组亦明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或0.01或0.001)。移植组心肌梗死区域的纤维化被有效抑制,而对照组则呈现出明显的纤维化特征。结论SC在心肌梗死区中可增殖分化为具有弹性和收缩功能的横纹肌样细胞,并通过自分泌和旁分泌的形式分泌VEGF促使缺血心肌毛细血管增生,从而有效地抑制了缺血心肌的纤维化进程。     

糖尿病大鼠心肌梗死后非梗死区心肌细胞凋亡和增殖检测

目的:观察糖尿病大鼠心肌梗死(MI)后非梗死区域心肌细胞凋亡和增殖分化情况.方法:建立2型糖尿病大鼠模型,观察单纯MI组、糖尿病MI组和正常对照大鼠(假手术组)在急性MI后非梗死区域心肌组织病理形态;采用TUNEL和免疫组化方法检测3组大鼠非梗死区心肌细胞凋亡和增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)的表达量.结果:①假手术组大鼠的心肌组织肌纤维横纹、闰盘及细胞核染色清晰.单纯MI组大鼠心肌梗死区域心肌纤维横带呈无结构状态,心肌细胞核固缩、碎裂或溶解消失,部分心肌呈灶状与片状坏死,炎性细胞浸润明显,心肌纤维紊乱、断裂明显,并有部分心肌纤维样变性;非梗死区域心肌组织肌纤维横纹、闰盘及细胞核染色清晰.糖尿病MI组大鼠的心肌病理变化与单纯MI组大鼠相似.②与假手术组相比,单纯MI组和糖尿病MI组大鼠非梗死区心肌细胞凋亡、PCNA阳性率均明显升高[(0.19 ±0.03)%,(0.38±0.07)%和(0.41 ±0.05)%,F=75.781,P<0.001;(2.31 ±0.81)%,(3.14 ±1.30)%和(3.09 ±0.96)%,F=3.830,P=0.041].结论:糖尿病急性MI后,高血糖可能是诱发加重心肌细胞凋亡的重要因为.细胞凋亡的增加导致了心室重构的恶化.     

缬沙坦对大鼠急性心肌梗死后F-肌动蛋白与热休克蛋白27表达的影响

目的:通过测定梗死后心肌组织中F-肌动蛋白(F-actin)、热休克蛋白27(HSP27)蛋白和mRNA的表达,探讨缬沙坦对大鼠急性心肌梗死后细胞骨架蛋白的影响及可能机制。方法:将54只大鼠分为心肌梗死组(MI组,n=11)、缬沙坦组(X组,n=13)、假手术组(SH组,n=15)和正常对照组(N组,n=15)。前2组大鼠结扎冠状动脉左前降支建立急性心肌梗死模型,SH组只穿线不结扎。X组给予缬沙坦(15mg/kg),1次/d,灌胃治疗4周,其余3组给予等体积生理盐水。4周后HE染色进行心肌组织形态学分析,免疫组化、RT-PCR方法测定各组心肌组织中F-actin、HSP27蛋白和mRNA的表达。结果:光镜下观察,N组和SH组心肌细胞排列整齐,无肌纤维破坏,MI组和X组可见梗死区心肌细胞坏死,纤维组织增生,X组较MI组梗死面积小,纤维组织增生轻。4组中HSP27、F-actin蛋白和mRNA的表达差异有统计学意义(F蛋白=312.760、310.587,P均<0.001;FmRNA=1527.549、1290.958,P均<0.001)。与SH组比较,MI组和X组HSP27、F-actin蛋白和mRNA表达量升高(P<0.05);MI组HSP27、F-actin蛋白和mRNA表达量高于X组(P<0.05)。MI组与X组中HSP27、F-actin的表达呈正相关(蛋白:rMI组=0.807,P=0.003;rX组=0.805,P=0.001;mRNA:rMI组=0.615,P=0.044;rX组=0.762,P=0.002)。结论:缬沙坦可能通过调节细胞骨架蛋白F-actin、HSP27的表达而改善心肌梗死后心室重构。     

转染胰岛素样生长因子-1的骨髓基质细胞对心肌梗死后心功能的影响

目的:移植转染胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)的骨髓基质细胞(MSC)到心肌梗死大鼠模型中,观察心肌细胞的凋亡和心功能的变化。方法:采用结扎法制作心肌梗死大鼠模型,用含pBabe-puro/IGF-1的病毒液感染MSC,移植MSC进入梗死心肌边缘。将实验分为心肌梗死组(MI)、心梗单纯移植细胞组(MI+MSC)、心梗移植感染空质粒细胞组(MI+MSC-pBabe-puro)、心梗移植感染IGF-1质粒的细胞组(MI+MSC-pBabe-puro/hIGF-1)。免疫组化检测炎性反应的时间,决定细胞移植的时间点。术后4周,通过TUNEL法检测心肌的细胞凋亡,超声心动图检测心功能的变化。结果:免疫组化结果显示梗死后第7天的ED1细胞的阳性数比第2天明显降低(P<0.05);转染IGF-1的MSC移植到心梗的心肌中,和转染空质粒的MSC以及未作转染的MSC组比较,明显减少心肌的细胞凋亡(P<0.05);且射血分数、左室壁厚度、左室短轴缩短率明显提高(P<0.05)。结论:转染IGF-1的MSC移植到心梗大鼠心肌内,可能是通过减少心肌的细胞凋亡来改善心功能。     

阿托伐他汀对大鼠心肌梗死后心肌纤维化及心肌肿瘤坏死因子-α的影响

目的 探讨阿托伐他汀对大鼠心肌梗死(MI)后心肌纤维化及心肌肿瘤坏死因子-α的影响及机制.方法 选取雌性Wistar大鼠结扎左冠状动脉,建立MI模型,术后将存活大鼠随机分为阿托伐他汀组(n=13)予阿托伐他汀10mg/(kg·d)灌胃,MI组(n=12)及假手术组(n=10)分别灌等量自来水,连续4周.心脏标本病理分析,分别测定左室截面直径;VG染色测定左室非梗死区(LVNIZ)和梗死区胶原容积分数(CVF);放免法测定NIZ血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)和S-P法免疫组化检测NIZ肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)定位和表达.结果 ① MI组与阿托伐他汀组梗死范围和梗死区CVF均无统计学意义.②与假手术组相比,MI组左室截面直径,LVNIZ胶原容积分数、NIZ AngⅡ、TNF-α明显增加(P<0.01～0.001).TNF-α主要定位于心肌间质,梗死区表达最强,非梗死区心肌细胞中亦有表迭.③与MI组相比,阿托伐他汀组上述指标均显著降低(P<0.05～0.001).结论 阿托伐他汀不影响梗死愈合,并可能通过抑制心肌局部AngⅡ、TNF-α的表达而减轻心肌纤维化.     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.     

Expression of OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the patients of hip fracture due to osteoporosis

Objective：To investigate the gene expression of osteoprotegerin（OPG） and osteoclast differentiation factor（ODF） in the bone tissue of patients with hip fracture due to osteoporosis. Methods：OPGmRNA and ODFmRNA in the bone tissue in 50 cases of osteoporosis sufferers（over 50 years old） with hip fracture（Observer Group） and 30 cases of hip facture sufferers with no osteoporosis（Control group） were analyzed with the Semi-Quantitative RT-PCR method. Results：The mRNA expressed of ODF, OPG were both high in the patients with hip fracture. In the control group, the expression of OPG mRNA was observed, while the expression of ODF mRNA was very slight. Conclusion：Aged patients contained all signals including OPG, ODF that are essential for inducing osteoclastogenesis and promoting bone resorption.     

The clinicopathological and immuohistochemical analysis of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas： report of 9 cases

Objective：To investigate the clinical features, pathological characteristics and immunophenotype of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas（SPTP）. Methods：Nine surgically treated cases of SPTP were retrospectively reviewed. Hematoxylin and Eosin（HE） staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analyze all cases, and the general clinical data was collected. Results：Six patients were asymptomatic except for a palpable mass. Two patients complained of vague-epigastric pain. One patient appeared jaundice. The tumor was encapsulated and solid tissues alternately with cystic tissues. Histologically, the histological structure of solid portion was pseudopapillary with a fibrovascular core. Tumor cells were uniform and medium-sized which were arranged in sheets ets or nests or pseudopapillary patterns. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that SPTP proved positive in vimentin（9/9 cases）, AAT（9/9 cases）, NSE（9/9 cases）, ACT（7/9 cases）, CK20（2/9 cases）, CgA（1/9 cases）, S-100（3/gcases）, PR（4/gcases）, Syn（3/9 cases） and CD56（5/9cases）, negative in CEA and ER. Conclusion：SPTP is a tumor predominantly occurring in young women frequently without special symptoms. This tumor has various characteristical histological patterns with different immunophenotype.     

Dynamic Changes in Serum Estradiol and Progesterone levels in Patients of Premenstrual Syndrome with Adverse Flow of Liver-qi

Objective:To probe into the influence of changes of ovarian hormones on the pathogenesis of the specific sub-type premenstrual syndrome(PMS)and reveal partial microcosmic mechanisms of adverse flow of liver-qi.Methods:Estradiol(E2)and progesterone(P)levels in serum were determined at different phases of menstrual cycle by radioimmunoassay.Results:In the group of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.the secretive peak value Of E2 and P at the follicular phase significantly decreased,and the secretive peak value at the luteal phase did not come into being.Conclusions:Low E2 and P secretive peak at the follicular phase and absence of secretive peak at the luteal phase is one of the microcosmic mechanisms of PMS with adverse flow of liver-qi.One of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of specific sub-type PMS is probably the continuous low level of E2and P.     

Real-time Three-dimensional Echocardiography in Assessment of Left Ventricular and Right Ventricular Volumes

Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE)is a new ultrasound technique that enables dynamic threedimensional visualization and quantification of the heart in real time. Investigation of feasibility and methodology of RT3DE in determining left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, RT3DE was performed in 35 normal adults using Philips SONOS 7500 system with a 2-4 MHz matrix array transducer. The 60°×60° "pyramid" volume database was obtained and analyzed on a TomTec echo workstation. Both LV and RV volumes were calculated with four 3DE methods (i.e. apical 2, 4, 8, and 16-plane) through manually tracing ventricular endocardial borders in end diastole and end systole. Stroke volumes were then calculated. LV volume was also measured by 2DE Simpson's rule using GE VIVID 7 ultrasound machine.     

SCREENING FOR A 21-CHROMOSOME ABNORMALITY IN PREIMPLANTED EMBRYOS OF ELDERLY WOMEN

Increasing maternal age is the only etiological factor unequivocally linked to Down's syndrome in humans. The occurrence rate of newborns with Down's syndrome is about 1/220 in women over 35 years old. However, the occurrence rate in embryos fertilized in vitro, of the elder woman is unclear. Using FISH we screened the number of chromosome 21 in preimplanted embryos of 5 elderly women (average age, 38.4 years) to study the feasibility and necessity of screening trisomy 21 in embryos in patients over 35 years old at the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center.