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INTRODUCTION: Preeclampsia has a global frequency of 2-8% and a frequency of 10% in developing countries. In Colombia, preeclampsia causes 42% of maternal mortality. Alterations in placental homeostasis have been proposed to be involved in its pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to compare mRNA and protein levels of tissue factor (F3) and thrombomodulin (THBD) and the histopathological findings of placentas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 16 placentas from patients with preeclampsia and 19 term placentas with uncomplicated pregnancy. An expert pathologist, who was masked to the group assignment, conducted an evaluation to determine specific histological changes. Assessments of mRNA and protein levels of F3 and THBD were performed using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Cases and controls differed in the frequency of decidual arteriopathy (p = 0.027), acute infarction (p = 0.001) and hyperplasia of the syncytiotrophoblast (p = 0.0017). Cases had increased levels of F3 mRNA (p = 0.0124) and protein (p < 0.0001) and THBD mRNA (p < 0.0001) and protein (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In placenta of patients with preeclampsia, we detected abnormal expression of F3 andTHBDwith increased protein and mRNA levels. The role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of this disease and in alterations of hemostatic and histopathological aspects of placentas need further studying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Down syndrome is the most frequent aneuploidy in live births, with an overall frequency of 1/600-700 births. The overexpression of cystathionine β-synthase is thought to participate in the presentation of some phenotypes observed in Down syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the expression levels of cystathionine β-synthase and histopathological observations from placentas of infants with Down syndrome and healthy newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six placentas of fetuses/infants with Down syndrome and sixteen placentas of healthy fetuses were studied. Cystathionine β-synthase mRNA and protein expression were performed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS: We observed an increase in cystathionine β-synthase mRNA expression (p = 0.0465) and protein levels (p = 0.009) in placentas of fetus/infants with Down syndrome compared with controls. Significantly more circinate edges (p = 0.0007) and trophoblast inclusions (p = 0.0037) were observed in the group with Down syndrome compared with control group. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate overexpression of cystathionine β-synthase mRNA and protein in placentas of fetuses/infants with trisomy 21. Further histological abnormalities were found in placentas of patients with Down syndrome, suggesting an alteration in the development of placenta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The objective of the study was to examine the evolution of insulin sensitivity in a group of patients with stable coronary artery disease receiving one of four different pharmacological therapies. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated using an insulin suppression test in 40 newly diagnosed patients with coronary artery disease and no previous history of metabolic disorders, who were not taking any medication which might affect insulin sensitivity. The insulin suppression test consisted of a constant infusion of glucose, insulin and somatostatin for 150 min; insulin resistance was estimated by determining the steady-state plasma glucose concentrations during the last 60 minutes of the test. The insulin sensitivity index was calculated by the formula: insulin sensitivity index = (glucose infusion rate/steady state plasma glucose concentrations) x 10(3). A second insulin suppression test was performed after 6 months' therapy with either isosorbide mononitrate, atenolol, diltiazem or captopril in 30 of the 40 patients. There were no differences between any of the groups before therapy was initiated. After 6 months, patients treated with captopril and, to a lesser extent, those treated with diltiazem showed statistically significantly decreased steady state plasma glucose concentrations and increased insulin sensitivity index compared to basal values. No statistically significant differences were found in the other two groups. We conclude that captopril and, to a lesser extent, diltiazem improve insulin sensitivity in patients with stable coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]