Association of maternal iron status with birthweight at third trimester in pregnant women

Young-Ok Shin, Hyeonkyeong Yeon, Oh-Young Lee, Eugene Kim, Kyu-Sang Kyeong, Eun-Hwan Jeong 충북대학교 동물의학연구소 2014 Journal of Biomedical and Translational Research Vol.15 No.3

To investigate the association between maternal iron status at the third trimester and fetal birthweight, maternal serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), and complete blood count values were measured at 36-weeks gestation. Delivery database on mothers who delivered babies at Chungbuk National University Hospital between January 2008 and March 2013 was extracted. A total of 353 uncomplicated term babies were analyzed using hierarchical regression and ANCOVA. Maternal age (standardized regression coefficient β=0.115, P<0.05), height (β=0.108, P<0.05), BMI (β=0.210, P<0.001), and gestational age (β=0.298, P<0.001) were significantly associated with birthweight. However, birthweight was not associated with maternal iron parameters. After adjusting for maternal age, height, BMI, and gestational age, babies born to mothers with lower mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin were heavier than those born to mothers with higher values. Babies born to lower hemoglobin (11 g/dL) mothers were heavier than those born to higher hemoglobin (12 g/dL) mothers. However, birthweight was not significantly different between mothers with 10 g/dL or 13 g/dL of hemoglobin. Comparing birthweight according to 30 ug/dL of serum iron, 360 ug/dL of TIBC, 15 ng/mL of serum ferritin, and 10% transferrin saturation, babies born to mothers of the lower group were heavier than those born to mothers of the higher group. Therefore, maternal serum iron status at the third trimester seems to not be associated with birthweight.

Antenatal sonographic features of persistent extrahepatic vitelline vein aneurysm

( Songhwa Chae ),( Ilwoon Gi ),( Hyeonkyeong Yeon ),( Jihun Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Introduction: The vitelline veins are developmental vessels passing between the yolk sac and the sinus venosus of the heart during embryonic development. The splenic vein and SMV drain into the left vitelline vein and distal part of the right vitelline vein regresses. The presence of a persistent vitelline vein after birth is very rare and can be confused with umbilical vein varix. We present a rare case of a fetal persistent vitelline vein with thrombus in a neonate. Case report: A 24-years old nulliparous woman was referred at 28 weeks gestation because of fetal cystic abdominal mass near the umbilicus. Color Doppler showed venous-type turbulent flow inside the mass. It was initially thought to be the umbilical vein varix. A 2965 g female neonate was born by spontaneous vaginal delivery at 39+5weeks. Postnatal sonographic evaluation verified as Fusiform aneurysmal dilatation of extrahepatic persistent vitelline vein without internal thrombus. SMV meets persistent vitelline vein and fast flow of SMV makes blood whirling. After 4 days, Echogenic thrombus at persistent distal viltelline vein aneurysm found and the newborn was transferred to other hospital for early surgical thrombectomy. Discussion: Abnormalities of the umbilical-portal-hepatic venous system are rare congenital vascular anomalies. The first diagnosis to be considered in the abdominal midline vascular structure is umbilical vein varix. The aneurysmal vitelline vein can be distinguished from the umbilical vein varix in the course of the vessel. It is running downward and below the gallbladder in the sagittal plane. Though vitelline vein aneurysm is an extremely rare anomaly, it rapidly progresses to portal vein thrombosis that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, if an abnormal abdominal vascular structure is found during prenatal ultrasonography, persistent vitelline vein should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Regulation of uterine smooth muscle contractility by both L- and T-type of Ca2+ channels

( Seung Hwa Hong ),( Jin-young Choi ),( Hyeonkyeong Yeon ),( Il Woon Ji ),( Eun-hwan Jeong ),( Hak Soon Kim ),( Seung Myeong Son ),( Chan Hyung Kim ),( Woong Choi ),( Young Chul Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Objective: In uterine smooth muscle, Ca2+ is known to be a key regulator for the spontaneous contraction and oxytocin (OXT)-induced contraction. However, exact evidences of identities of both voltage-activated L-type (VDCCL) and T-type Ca2+ channel (VDCCT) was not studied well. In this study, we tried to elucidate the existence of both types VDCC and its role in uterus smooth muscle in mouse. Methods: Conventional contractile measuring system was used. VDCCL and VDCCT were identified by immunohistochemistry and under confocal microscopy using their specific antibodies. Molecular identity of VDCCs were verified by Western Blot. Results: Uterine smooth muscle, showed tonic contraction by application of high K+ condition (50 mM). The voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channel (VDCCL) activator Bay K8644 (0.4 M) enhanced spontaneous contractions to 215% of the control and it was inhibited by nifedipine, VDCCL blocker. Mibefradil, T-type Ca2+ channel (VDCCT) blocker, also inhibited spontaneous contraction. In the presence of mibefradil (5 M), BayK 8644 (0.4 M) also regenerated spontaneous contraction. Oxytocin (OXT, 10 nM)-induced contraction was also blocked by mibefradil and reproduced by BayK 8644 in a nifedipine-sensitive manner. These phenomena were observed in non-pregnant and pregnant uterine smooth muscle too. Under western blot, immunochemical studies, and confocal microscopy, VDCCs (CaV1.2, CaV3.1, and CaV3.2 channels) were identified in murine uterus. Conclusion: It strongly implies that contractile activities of uterine smooth muscle was regulated by both types of VDCCs.

Protein Kinase C(PKC)-mediated regulation of murine myometrial contraction

( Seung Hwa Hong ),( Jin-young Choi ),( Bitna Kim ),( Hyeonkyeong Yeon ),( Il Woon Ji ),( Eun-hwan Jeong ),( Hak Soon Kim ),( Seung Myeung Son ),( Chan Hyung Kim ),( Woong Choi ),( Young Chul Kim ) 대한산부인과학회 2018 대한산부인과학회 학술대회 Vol.104 No.-

Objective: In uterine smooth muscle, several factors such as hormones, Ca2+ and protein kinases are involved in the regulation of its contractility. Especially, intracellular Ca2+ and Ca2+-dependent protein kinases like a protein kinase C (PKC) is also involved in the ligand-mediated responses such as oxytocin (OXT). In this study, we tried to figure out the role of PKC in the spontaneous and OXT-induced contraction in murine uterus smooth muscle. Methods: Conventional vertical contractile measuring system was used to evaluate the mechanical contraction of murine uterus. Results: Uterine smooth muscle showed tonic contraction by application of high K+ condition (50 mM) in a nifedipine-sensitive manner. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10 M), activator of PKC, decreased the frequency of spontaneous contraction to 16% of the control. However, bis-indolylmaleimide II (Bis II, 2 M), an inhibitor of PKC, recovered the frequency of spontaneous contraction to 44.7% of the control. It might implies that uterine smooth muscle contraction might be regulated by PKC system. Oxytocin (OXT, 10 nM) produced tri-phasic contraction such as initial peak contraction followed by tonic contraction superimposed by phasic contraction. Its phasic contraction was blocked by Ca2+ channel inhibitor. Another PKC activator such as phorbol dibutyrate (PDBu, 10-20 M) completely blocked OXT-induced phasic contraction in a Bis II-sensitive manner. Bis II (2 M) recovered and even enhanced the frequency of OXT-induced phasic contraction to 1.87/min to 7.5/min compared to control of OXT-induced contration. The amplitude of OXT-induced phasic contraction was also partially recovered by Bis II to 17% of the control. Conclusion: From above results, it strongly implies that PKC system might be one of the potent regulator of contraction in murine uterine smooth muscle. The subtypes of PKCs will be studied in the following study too.