Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations are elevated in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis

Active endometriosis is characterized by hypervascularizationboth within and surrounding the implant; therefore the presenceof angiogenic factors in the peritoneal environment would beof great importance. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)is a potent angiogenic factor involved in both physiologicaland pathological angiogenesis. We sought to determine if VEGFwas present in the peritoneal fluid of women with and withoutendometriosis, and to establish if differences exist betweenthese groups. VEGF was present in all patients sampled. Thefluid from patients with endometriosis contained significantlygreater amounts of VEGF than controls. Cyclic variations inVEGF concentration were seen in fluid from patients with endometriosis,the VEGF concentration in proliferative phase being significantlyhigher than in the secretory phase. The concentration of VEGFin this fluid was also significantly higher than that foundin the proliferative and secretory phases of women without endometriosis.No cyclic variations in VEGF were seen in the control group.We suggest that elevated levels of VEGF in the peritoneal fluidof patients with endometriosis may be critical in the pathogenesisof endometriosis.     

Relationship between maternal serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration in early pregnancy and fetal and placental growth.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has important effects on endothelial cells increasing cell proliferation, permeability and nitric oxide production; concentrations of VEGF in the maternal serum increase during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. In this study, the relationship of maternal serum VEGF with maternal health during pregnancy and with fetal and placental size at mid-pregnancy and at term was investigated. Serum was obtained from 539 Caucasian women with singleton pregnancies between 8 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (mean 14 weeks). Total serum VEGF concentrations were measured by direct competitive radioimmunoassay. Fetal size and placental volume were measured by ultrasound between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Birthweight, placental weight and anthropometric measurements of the baby were obtained after delivery. Serum VEGF concentrations were found to be higher in women with a lower weight before pregnancy (P = 0.01) and in those carrying a female fetus (P = 0.002). VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with placental volume (r = 0.17, P = 0.0001) but not with fetal size between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Serum VEGF concentrations were positively correlated with both birthweight (r = 0.10, P = 0.02) and placental weight at delivery (r = 0.13, P = 0.003). The data presented support the view that VEGF may be one of the factors involved in mediating the maternal cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in the follicular fluid of patients undergoing IVF.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to measure concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) CD31 and vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1) in the follicular fluid of women treated with assisted reproduction technology to determine whether these proteins might be outcome markers. METHODS: Follicular fluid was collected from 75 patients < or =40 years undergoing oocyte retrieval procedures at our tertiary hospital during 1997 and 1998: 50 with tubal disease, 12 with endometriosis, and 13 whose partners had been diagnosed with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. This retrospective analysis considered age and information about treatment and outcome for all these women who had undergone fewer than three assisted reproduction attempts. RESULTS: Nineteen women became pregnant (defined by human chorionic gonadotrophin concentrations and embryonic cardiac activity 1 month after follicular aspiration); 56 did not. Women did not differ significantly in their follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF, sCD31 and VCAM-1 according to cause of infertility, or assisted reproduction outcome, or age. Follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF were significantly correlated with the number of gonadotrophin ampoules administered (P < 0.012), and follicular fluid concentrations of sVCAM-1 with the fertilization rate (P < 0.01). Follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF and sVCAM-1 were also correlated (P < 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not suggest that VEGF, CD31, or sVCAM-1 in follicular fluid predict assisted reproduction outcome, especially among patients < or =40 years old. The correlation of a high fertilization rate and sVCAM-1 in follicular fluid suggests that sVCAM-1 might be a marker of fertilization.     

Hepatocyte growth factor concentration in the early second-trimester amniotic fluid does not predict fetal growth at birth.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations in the early second-trimester amniotic fluid predict fetal growth at birth. HGF and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentrations in the early second-trimester amniotic fluid were measured in 12 pregnancies with small for gestational age (SGA) infants, 84 pregnancies with appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants, and eight pregnancies with large for gestational age (LGA) infants. HGF concentrations were measured from the early second-trimester amniotic fluid samples using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IGF-I concentrations were measured from the early second-trimester amniotic fluid samples using an immunoradiometric assay. Maternal age in AGA group (34.2 +/- 5.5 years) was significantly lower than in SGA (37.9 +/- 3.0 years) and LGA (37.6 +/- 3.3 years) groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences for parity or gestational age at amniocentesis among the groups. There were significant differences for birth age, birth weight, neonatal height, and placental weight among the groups (P < 0.05). HGF concentrations in SGA, AGA and LGA groups were 16.9 +/- 6.6, 16.7 +/- 9.0 and 20.2 +/- 14.8 ng/ml respectively (not significant). There was no correlation between amniotic fluid HGF concentrations and birth weight, height or placental weight. There were also no significant differences for amniotic fluid IGF-I concentrations among the three groups. These results suggest that differences in HGF concentrations in the early second-trimester amniotic fluid do not predict fetal growth at birth. Further study is needed to clarify the role of high HGF concentrations in early second-trimester amniotic fluid during pregnancy.     

Lactoferrin in human amniotic fluid

The concentration of human lactoferrin (LF) was measured byradioimmunoassay or non-competitive avidin-biotin assay in amnioticfluid, cord blood and in the decidua, trophoblast, fetal membranesand umbilical cord. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis,and cord blood and tissue samples were taken after deliveryor elective Caesarean section. No detectable concentration ofLF was found in amniotic fluid before week 20 of pregnancy.A significant increase in the LF concentration was observedaround week 30 and it remained high until term. In cord blood,an undetectable or low concentration of LF was measured. Intissue specimens the amount of LF was highest in the decidua(9–95µ/g a moderate concentration was assayed inthe amniotic, (2–37µg/g) and chorion (2–26µg/g) membrane and in the trophoblast (5–35 µg/g).In the umbilical cord, the concentration was > 1µg/g.These results suggest a decidual origin of LF. The role of LFduring pregnancy is discussed     

Vascular endothelial growth factor levels in serum and plasma from patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been investigated as a marker of ovarian response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and as a predictor of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in IVF cycles. In most studies, serum has been used for circulating VEGF concentration measurement, but it has been suggested that plasma is the preferred medium to measure VEGF levels because of the potential contribution of VEGF released from platelets during blood clotting. This study investigated VEGF concentrations in paired serum and plasma samples from patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF. METHODS: Serum and plasma VEGF levels, as well as the number of platelets, were measured in 30 IVF patients who comprised three study groups delineated according to the estradiol (E(2)) serum concentration reached on the day of HCG administration: 10 patients having low E(2) serum levels (<1500 pg/ml, group L), 10 patients having intermediate E(2) serum levels (1500-3000 pg/ml, group I) and 10 patients having high E(2) serum levels (>3000 pg/ml, group H). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant correlation between plasma and serum VEGF levels (rho = 0.61; P < 0.005) for the entire population studied, although serum values were higher by a factor of approximately 6-fold. No significant correlation was found between peripheral blood VEGF concentrations and serum E(2) or follicle number on HCG day or the number of oocytes collected. Similarly, paired serum and plasma VEGF measurements did not correlate with platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: Serum and plasma VEGF concentrations are strongly correlated in paired samples from infertile patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. However, neither serum nor plasma VEGF levels were correlated with parameters associated with ovarian follicular activity. Peripheral blood VEGF levels were not correlated with platelet count.     

Insulin-like factor 3 levels in amniotic fluid of human male fetuses

BACKGROUND: Rodent studies suggest that the peptide hormone insulin-like factor 3 (Insl3) made by the fetal testis is responsible for the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent, and may be affected by xenobiotics to disrupt male reproductive tract development. To date, there is very little information on the production of INSL3 by the human fetus during gestation. The objective of the present study was to determine the concentrations and time course during pregnancy of INSL3 and testosterone production in human fetuses and their associations with maternal characteristics, pregnancy complications and outcome. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study in which women who contributed amniotic fluid specimens to a bank from 2003-2006 were followed to determine their pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcome. Amniotic fluid specimens were collected from the Reproductive Genetics Laboratory of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania subsequent to routine amniocentesis. INSL3 and total testosterone levels were measured in amniotic fluid (from n = 50 female, n = 237 male fetuses) by validated immunoassays and correlated with maternal characteristics, pregnancy complications and outcomes. RESULTS: INSL3 was only detectable in amniotic fluid from male fetuses, and highest levels occurred from weeks 15-17 of gestation. INSL3 concentration was positively associated with increased birth weight, the occurrence of pre-eclampsia and advanced maternal age, but not with testosterone levels. CONCLUSIONS: INSL3 concentration in human amniotic fluid is potentially predictive of fetal sex and pre-eclampsia, and presumably reflects the functioning of the fetal Leydig cell population.     

Adrenomedullin and vascular endothelial growth factor production by follicular fluid macrophages and granulosa cells

BACKGROUND: Human follicular fluid contains several substances, such as cytokines and growth factors, which may affect follicular growth and maturation. The present study examines the relative contribution of macrophages and granulosa cells in the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and adrenomedullin in the human ovulatory follicle. METHODS: Both follicular fluid samples and blood samples were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval following ovarian stimulation from 20 women undergoing IVF treatment because of male infertility. Human follicular fluid macrophages and luteinized granulosa cells were obtained from pooled follicular fluid of individual patients. Accumulation of VEGF and adrenomedullin in the culture medium of the isolated macrophages and human granulosa cells was determined at variable time intervals ranging from 0 to 48 h. Plasma and follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF and adrenomedullin were also measured. RESULTS: The follicular fluid concentrations of VEGF and adrenomedullin were significantly higher than those found in plasma. After 48 h, accumulation of VEGF in the culture medium of follicular fluid macrophages was significantly higher than that released in the culture medium of luteinized granulosa cells. In contrast, the production rate of adrenomedullin by follicular fluid macrophages was similar to that found in granulosa cells. VEGF secreted by follicular fluid macrophages increased progressively within 48 h of cell culture. A similar response pattern was observed with the culture medium of luteinized granulosa cells, but with lower production rates. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests for the first time that both luteinized granulosa cells and macrophages actively secrete VEGF and adrenomedullin into follicular fluid in the human ovary.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and endometriotic angiogenesis

Peritoneal endometriosis is a significant debilitating gynaecological problem of widespread prevalence. It is now generally accepted that the pathogenesis of peritoneal endometriosis involves the implantation of exfoliated endometrium. Essential for its survival is the generation and maintenance of an extensive blood supply both within and surrounding the ectopic tissue. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family of angiogenic molecules is involved in both physiological angiogenesis, and a number of pathological conditions that are characterized by excessive angiogenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that the VEGF family may also be involved with both the aetiology and maintenance of peritoneal endometriosis. Sources of this factor include the eutopic endometrium, ectopic endometriotic tissue and peritoneal fluid macrophages. Important to its aetiology is the correct peritoneal environment in which the exfoliated endometrium is seeded and implants. Established ectopic tissue is then dependent on the peritoneal environment for its survival, an environment that supports angiogenesis. Our increasing knowledge of the involvement of the VEGF family in endometriotic angiogenesis raises the possibility of novel approaches to its medical management, with particular focus on the anti-angiogenic control of the action of VEGF.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor is an autocrine growth factor in human malignant mesothelioma

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent mitogen for vascular endothelium, is expressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MM). The present report examines the effect of VEGF on MM growth. Four MM cell lines produced significantly higher VEGF levels than normal mesothelial cells (1946+/-14 pg/ml vs. 180+/-17 pg/ml; p<0.001). In addition, MM cells expressed the tyrosine kinase-related VEGF receptors Flt-1 and KDR. Recombinant human VEGF phosphorylated both Flt-1 and KDR and increased proliferation of all four MM cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. Neutralizing antibodies against either VEGF, Flt-1 or KDR significantly reduced MM cellular proliferation. In addition, expression of VEGF, Flt-1, and KDR was observed in MM biopsies. Moreover, higher VEGF levels were found in the pleural effusions of MM patients than in the effusions of patients with non-malignant pleural disease (1885.7+/-894.9 pg/ml vs. 266.9+/-180.5 pg/ml; p<0.001). Linear regression analysis showed a significant inverse correlation between serum VEGF levels and MM patient survival (r=0.72; p<0.01). No correlation was found between tumour vessel density and either serum (r=0.26; p=0.42) or pleural effusion (r=0.35; p=0.26) VEGF levels. These results indicate that VEGF, via activation of its tyrosine kinase receptors, may be a key regulator of MM growth. In addition, VEGF production could have an impact on patient survival, not only by promoting tumour angiogenesis but also by directly stimulating tumour growth.     

母体循环血找羊水有形成分的方法探讨

目的提高显微镜检查母体循环血中羊水有形成分的检出率,以便辅助临床早期快速确诊羊水栓塞。方法将足月产妇羊水与健康产妇静脉血按不同比例混合,在不同速度离心后取血浆层镜检,找出其羊水有形成分的最低检出限,然后吸取血浆层再以不同速度离心,观察其羊水有形成分最低检出限的变化。同理将24份羊水栓塞产妇的静脉血经两次不同速度离心后镜检羊水有形成分,比较其检出率差异。结果第一次以1000rpm离心5min后镜检出羊水有形成分的羊水／血液比例最低,为1：64;然后取1000rpm离心5min后的血浆层再经4000rpm离心3min,羊水有形成分最低检测限降低至羊水／血液为1：256。羊水栓塞患者血液标本经1000rpm离心5min后镜检检出率最高为33．3％,然后取1000rpm离心5min后的血浆层再行4000rpm离心3min,可将羊水有形成分检出率提高至66．6％,其差异具有统计学意义（χ^2=6．125,P〈0．05）。结论羊水栓塞母体循环血找羊水有形成分时应进行二次离心,第一次1000rpm 5min,取血浆再4000rpm 3min,然后取沉淀物镜检找羊水有形成分。     

Psoriasin, a calcium-binding protein with chemotactic properties is present in the third trimester amniotic fluid

Psoriasin is a small calcium-binding protein first found in psoriatic lesions and also up-regulated in other inflammatory skin diseases and cancer tissues. Psoriasin is also present in the fetal epithelial cells. Its biological function is unclear, but there is both in vitro and in vivo evidence for its chemokine-like activity. The aim of the present study was to find whether psoriasin could be found in the amniotic fluid and thus could have long-range immunobiological effects. Two recombinant psoriasins were prepared, one in Escherichia coli, the other one in Pichia pastoris. The former was used to produce a rabbit antiserum against psoriasin. Fractionation of full-term amniotic fluids with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and gel filtration associated with immunodetection with the antiserum were used to identify a protein compatible with the size of psoriasin. The identity of psoriasin was further verified by mass spectrometric analysis. Expression of psoriasin in cells of the amniotic membranes was detected with nested RT-PCR. Because of its chemokine-like activity, psoriasin present in the amniotic fluid might have consequential immunobiological effects during the fetal development.     

Effects of peritoneal fluid from endometriosis patients on the release of vascular endothelial growth factor by neutrophils and monocytes

BACKGROUND: An increase in the level of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production has been reported in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of endometriosis patients. This suggests that changes in the vascular permeability and angiogenesis play an important role in the pathophysiology of this disease. This study examined the effects of the PF obtained from endometriosis patients on the release of VEGF by neutrophils and monocytes. METHODS: Neutrophils and monocytes were obtained from young healthy volunteers and cultured with the PF obtained from either endometriosis patients (EPF) (n=18) or a control group (CPF) (n=4). A human monocyte/macrophage cell line, THP-1, was cultured with either 10% EPF or 10% CPF. The PF and culture supernatants were assayed for VEGF using ELISA. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the VEGF mRNA and protein expression level, respectively. RESULTS: The VEGF levels were higher in the EPF than in the CPF (591+/-75 versus 185+/-31 pg/ml, P<0.05). However, the level of VEGF released by THP-1 cells in CPF and EPF was similar. The EPF induced the release of VEGF by neutrophils, but no VEGF was released by monocytes. The VEGF mRNA expression levels in the neutrophils were higher in the EPF, which was abrogated by cycloheximide, suggesting that the EPF induces the production of VEGF in neutrophils. Neutralizing antibodies against IL-8 and TNF-alpha did not completely prevent the EPF-induced release of VEGF by the neutrophils, even though these growth factors stimulated the release of VEGF by neutrophils. There was a positive correlation between the VEGF and IL-10 concentrations in the EPF (correlation coefficient=0.549, P=0.012, n=18), but the neutralizing antibody of IL-10 did not affect the release of VEGF by the EPF-treated neutrophils. CONCLUSION: The EPF induced the production and release of VEGF by neutrophils, suggesting that neutrophils may be a source of peritoneal VEGF. In addition, neutrophil-derived VEGF might be a marker for diagnosing endometriosis.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and discrimination between abnormal intrauterine and ectopic pregnancy

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in women with abnormal intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies (EP) at 6 weeks gestation. METHODS: We conducted a prospective case-control study comparing serum VEGF concentrations among 84 women with abnormal intrauterine and EP matched for gestational age (42 women in each group). We analysed whether serum VEGF levels >200 pg/ml would discriminate between abnormal intrauterine pregnancies and EP at 6 weeks gestation, and we calculated sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values. RESULTS: Serum VEGF concentrations did not show statistically significant differences between women with abnormal intrauterine pregnancies (median, 198.5 pg/ml; range, 0-701.6) and EP (median, 211.2 pg/ml; range 0-628.8). When threshold concentrations of a serum VEGF level >200 pg/ml were used, abnormal intrauterine pregnancy could be distinguished from EP with a sensitivity of 56%, a specificity of 51%, and a positive predictive value of 53%. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF does not discriminate ectopic from abnormal intrauterine pregnancies at 6 weeks gestation, and thus should not be used in clinical management.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene +405 C/G polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to advanced stage endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to play a pivotal role in the development of endometriosis. This study was performed to investigate whether the VEGF gene 5'-untranslated region polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to advanced stage endometriosis. METHODS: This study comprised 215 women with advanced stage endometriosis, 219 control women without endometriosis, and 70 fertile women. Following extraction of genomic DNA, genotyping of the -460 C/T and +405 C/G polymorphisms of the VEGF gene were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. RESULTS: The distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of the -460 C/T polymorphism in the endometriosis group did not differ from those in the control group and the fertile women group. However, genotype distribution of the +405 C/G polymorphism was significantly different between patients with and without endometriosis (P = 0.01) and between patients with endometriosis and the fertile women (P = 0.02). Patients with endometriosis showed a higher incidence of the +405 CC genotype compared with the controls and the fertile women (P = 0.007 and 0.016 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the VEGF +405 C/G polymorphism may be associated with the risk of advanced stage endometriosis in the Korean population.     

Levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in serum of patients with endometriosis

BACKGROUND: Elevated concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been detected in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. Furthermore, it was postulated that VEGF is involved in the development of endometriotic lesions. The present study is aimed at determining whether high levels of VEGF could also be found in the serum of patients with endometriosis. METHODS: VEGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in serum from 131 subjects with surgically confirmed endometriosis and 146 controls with no clinical evidence of the disease or detectable endometriotic lesions at the time of surgical examination. Parameters such as demographics, personal habits, menstrual characteristics and clinical profile were collected from each subject included in this study. RESULTS: The mean VEGF levels were not significantly modulated in serum samples of cases compared with controls in a crude general linear model and in a model adjusted for possible confounders. VEGF serum levels did not correlate with the score, stage of endometriosis or the presence of benign gynaecological disorders. However, a correlation was found between circulating concentrations of VEGF and body mass index. CONCLUSION: Although VEGF seems to play a pivotal role locally in the implantation and development of endometriotic lesions, the disease is not associated with a significant modulation in the levels of circulating VEGF.     

S100B protein expression in the amnion and amniotic fluid in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia

Our aim was to investigate the expression of S100B protein in the amnion and to assess the amniotic fluid concentration in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. Samples were obtained from women who developed pre-eclampsia (n = 7), pre-eclampsia with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (n = 4), normotensive IUGR (n = 7) and gestational hypertension (n = 4) during pregnancy and healthy controls who delivered at term (n = 35). To determine the difference in the expression of S100B in the amnion, we performed immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis and RT-PCR. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we assessed the S100B concentration in amniotic fluid. The S100B mRNA expression in the amnion of pre-eclamptic patients and patients with pre-eclampsia with IUGR was significantly higher than that in the control. The amniotic fluid S100B protein concentration of the pre-eclampsia and normotensive IUGR cases was significantly higher than that of the control. This study shows that amnion could be a source responsible for the increased concentration of S100B in amniotic fluid. In pre-eclampsia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by oxidative stress. Some pathological conditions that develop during pregnancy and are related to hypoxic stress can affect the elevation of S100B concentration in the amnion.     

Relationship between protein concentrations in embryological fluids and maternal serum and yolk sacsize during human early pregnancy

Coelomic fluid (n = 57), amniotic fluid (n = 61) and maternalserum (n=81) were obtained from normal pregnancies between 7.7and 13.9 weeks and assayed for total protein, -fetoprotein (FP),albumin and pre-albumin. The mean concentration of total proteinin matched samples was 18 times higher in maternal serum thanin the coelomic fluid and 54 times higher in the coelomic fluidthan in amniotic fluid. The concentrations of total protein,albumin and pre-albumin decreased and that of FP increased inmaternal serum with advancing gestation. The yolk sac volumeand the concentrations of total protein in the coelomic andamniotic fluids increased with gestational age. No differencewas found for the crown–rump length, yolk sac volume andprotein concentration in the coelomic fluid between two groupspresenting with low and high maternal serum pre-albumin concentrations.Before 11 weeks gestation, significant correlation was onlyfound between yolk sac volume and coelomic fluid concentrationof pre-albumin as evaluated by both electrophoresis and immunonephelometry.These results suggest that during the first trimester of normalpregnancy, the placental metabolism and transfer rate of proteinsis not directly influenced by the concentrations of proteinin the maternal circulation and that the transfer of proteinsthrough the amniotic membrane is limited. These results alsoindicate that during that period the secondary yolk sac maycontribute to the protein content of the exocoelomic cavity,and that the embryo and its yolk sac and subsequently the fetusare the main source of the proteins present in the amnioticfluid.     

血清血管内皮生长因子与肿瘤

血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor,VEGF)在血管形成及肿瘤 (尤其是实体瘤 )的生长、转移过程中起着重要作用 ,血清血管内皮生长因子对肿瘤的诊断、治疗及预后亦颇具意义。本文综述了血管内皮生长因子的产生、作用机制 ,血清血管内皮生长因子在肿瘤的诊断、治疗及预后评价中的应用推广价值     

Anti-cardiolipin antibodies in fetal blood and amniotic fluid derived from patients with the anti-phospholipid syndrome

The aim of this study was to investigate whether, in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome, anticardiolipin antibodies pass from mother to offspring sera and amniotic fluid. Eleven patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (study group) and 11 healthy controls, matched by maternal and gestational age (control group) were prospectively examined for the presence of anticardiolipin antibodies in the cord blood during labour, and amniotic fluid during vaginal or Caesarean delivery. Three neonates (27.3%) in the study group had anticardiolipin antibodies in the cord blood, while none had them in the control group. Anticardiolipin antibodies were detected in the amniotic fluid in six (54.5%) of the study group pregnancies, compared with none in the control group. No adverse neonatal outcome was noted except for significantly lower (P < 0.0006) mean birth weight in the study group. Anticardiolipin antibodies can pass the placenta and be detected in fetal cord blood and amniotic fluid. This finding might be used in the future for the assessment of pregnancies with antiphospholipid syndrome.