The Influence of Clinical and Anthropometric Parameters on the Serum Levels of the Endothelin-1 in Pregnant Women and their Newborns

Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) is major contributor to maternal death in developing countries. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstriction agent known and its serum levels are increased in PIH. Therefore it is important to elucidate maternal and neonatal factors which influence endothelin-1 serum levels. 100 pathological pregnancies and 88 controls were analyzed for blood endothelin-1 and their anthropometric and clinical data were collected. In maternal blood ET-1 levels were strongly predicted by diagnosis, therapy and BMI, while umbilical cord ET-1 levels were strongly predicted by gestational age, therapy and delivery termination. Positive correlation between BMI and ET-1 levels suggest that obese pregnant women have increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Inverse relationship between Apgar and umbilical ET-1 indicates that ET-1 could be considered as a prognostic marker in cases of neonatal asphyxia

Hepatoregenerative Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-9

Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) super-family of cytokines, which regulate cell growth and differentiation during embryogenesis. Apart of that, the hypoglycemic potential of BMP-9 is of great interest. It has been confirmed that BMP-9, like insulin, improves glycemia in diabetic mice and regulates directional glucose metabolism in hepatocytes ; therefore it is proposed to be a candidate hepatic insulin-sensitizing substance (HISS). In liver fibrosis, due to the portocaval shunt, insulin bypasses the organ and the liver undergoes atrophy. Parenteral administration of insulin reverses atrophy by stimulating mitogenic activity of the hepatocytes. Because BMP-9 has a signaling pathway similar to other BMPs and insulin, it is to be expected that BMP-9 has a certain regenerative role in the liver. Also supporting the above-mentioned is evidence of BMP- 9 expression in Dissè's spaces and BMP-7’s mitogenic activity in mucosal cells. However, further studies are needed to confirm the possible regenerative role of BMP-9

Hepatoregenerative Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-9

Bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) super-family of cytokines, which regulate cell growth and differentiation during embryogenesis. Apart of that, the hypoglycemic potential of BMP-9 is of great interest. It has been confirmed that BMP-9, like insulin, improves glycemia in diabetic mice and regulates directional glucose metabolism in hepatocytes ; therefore it is proposed to be a candidate hepatic insulin-sensitizing substance (HISS). In liver fibrosis, due to the portocaval shunt, insulin bypasses the organ and the liver undergoes atrophy. Parenteral administration of insulin reverses atrophy by stimulating mitogenic activity of the hepatocytes. Because BMP-9 has a signaling pathway similar to other BMPs and insulin, it is to be expected that BMP-9 has a certain regenerative role in the liver. Also supporting the above-mentioned is evidence of BMP- 9 expression in Dissè's spaces and BMP-7’s mitogenic activity in mucosal cells. However, further studies are needed to confirm the possible regenerative role of BMP-9