Overexpression of the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor in preeclamptic patients: Pathophysiological consequences

in Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2003), 88(11), 5555-5563

Several growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and placental growth factor (PlGF) are involved in the placental vascular development. We investigated whether dysregulation in ... [more ▼]

Several growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and placental growth factor (PlGF) are involved in the placental vascular development. We investigated whether dysregulation in the VEGF family may explain the defective uteroplacental vascularization characterizing preeclampsia. We compared pregnancies complicated by early onset severe preeclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation to normal pregnancies. Maternal plasma, placentas, and placental bed biopsies were collected. The mRNA levels of VEGF-A, PlGF, and their receptors were quantified in placentas and placental beds. Levels of VEGF-A, PlGF, and soluble VEGF receptor (VEGFR) were assessed in maternal plasma. In compromised pregnancies, elevated levels of VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 mRNAs may reflect the hypoxic status of the placenta. On contrast, the membrane-bound VEGFR-1 was decreased in the placental bed of preeclamptic patients. Preeclampsia was associated with low levels of circulating PlGF and increased levels of total VEGF-A and soluble VEGFR-1. Free VEGF-A was undetectable in maternal blood. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that VEGF-A and PlGF were localized in trophoblastic cells. Altogether, our results suggest two different pathophysiological mechanisms associated with preeclampsia. The first one is related to an overproduction of competitive soluble VEGFR-1 that may lead to suppression of VEGF-A and PlGF effects. The second one is the down-regulation of its membrane bound form (VEGFR-1) in the placental bed, which may result in the defective uteroplacental development. [less ▲]

Evaluation of the osteoporosis self-assessment tool (OST) as a screening test for osteoporosis and osteopenia in men

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 93

Evaluation of prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia in men presenting at multiple risk detection campaign

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 90

Relief in mild-to-moderate pain is not a confounder in joint space narrowing assessment of full extension knee radiographs in recent osteoarthritis structure modifying drug trials

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 62-63

Glucosamine sulfate reduces osteoarthritis progression in postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis: evidence from two large, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 3-year studies

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 62

The practice of muscles infiltration of botulinic toxin in spasticity

Learning material (2003)

this video shows the practice of multilevels injection in muscles of botulinic toxin in the tretament of spasticity i children, with a particular focus of the iloi-psoas injection sites.

Efficacy of alphacalcidol and calcitriol in primary and corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis: a meta-analysis of their effects on bone mineral density and fracture rate

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 68

High prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women being prescribed an antiosteoporotic treatment

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 87

BMD in men: which normative data?

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 66-67

Economic evaluation of OSIRIS® (osteoporosis index of risk), a prescreening tool for prediction of osteoporosis risk, using decision trees and Markov models

in Osteoporosis International (2003, November), 14(Suppl. 7), 88