Separation and Determination of Fatty Acids from Lipid Fractions by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Cholesterol Esters of Umbilical Cord Arteries

Preeclampsia is accompanied by an extensive remodeling of the extracellular matrix of umbilical cord. It is associated with an increase in collagen content in the umbilical cord artery. Furthermore, preeclampsia distinctly reduces proteolytic and gelatinolytic activity, especially after activation with various agents

Perinatal Choline Influences Brain Structure and Function

Choline is derived not only from the diet, but also from de novo synthesis. It is important for methyl-group metabolism, the formation of membranes, kidney function, and neurotransmission. When deprived of dietary choline, most adult men and postmenopausal women develop signs of organ dysfunction (fatty liver or muscle damage) and have a decreased capacity to convert homocysteine to methionine. Choline is critical during fetal development, when it influences stem cell proliferation and apoptosis, thereby altering brain structure and function (memory is permanently enhanced in rodents exposed to choline during the latter part of gestation)

The association of pre-eclampsia with the Duffy negative phenotype in women of West African descent

Objective To investigate whether pre-eclampsia in Curacao is associated with the Duffy negative phenotype. Design Retrospective study. Setting Population Methods Results Women with a history of pre-eclampsia had a higher Duffy negative phenotype frequency compared with women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancies (52.8 vs 27.3%, respectively; odds ratio 2.98; 95% CI 1.40-6.32; P = 0.004). Conclusions Pre-eclampsia is associated with the Duffy negative phenotype in women of West-African descent in the island of Curacao

High serum interleukin-8 levels in Afro-Caribbean women with pre-eclampsia. Relations with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, Duffy negative phenotype and von Willebrand factor

PROBLEM: Pre-eclampsia is characterized by neutrophil activation. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a strong neutrophil chemo-attractant and activator. METHOD OF STUDY: We measured serum IL-8 in 13 pre-eclamptic Afro-Caribbean women and 13 gestational age-, race- and parity-matched normotensive and non-proteinuric controls. We also determined serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the phenotypes of the IL-8 binding Duffy blood group antigen receptor and the von Willebrand factor (vWF) plasma levels. RESULTS: Serum IL-8, TNF-alpha, Duffy negative phenotype frequency and plasma vWF were higher in pre-eclamptic women compared with controls. IL-8 correlated positively with both TNF-alpha and vWF in the entire study group. CONCLUSIONS: Higher IL-8 levels in pre-eclampsia may result from increased production (secondary to increased TNF-alpha levels) and/or reduced clearance (related to a high frequency of Duffy negative phenotype)