Urine Of Pregnant Women Research Articles

Progesterone, some progesterone derivatives and urinary digoxin-like substances from pregnant women in radioimmuno- and 86Rb-uptake assays of digoxin.

Progesterone and some derivatives were tested in a radioimmunoassay (RIA) of digoxin and in a bioassay measuring the 86Rb-uptake into red blood cells as an index of Na+, K+-ATPase activity. The digitalis-like activity of the hormones was compared with that found in chromatographic fractions of material extracted from the urines of pregnant women at term. Progesterone at concentrations greater than 10(-6) M cross-reacted in the RIA, and at 10(-3) M it decreased 86Rb-uptake by 18%. The anaesthetic progesterone derivates 5 alpha-pregnane-3 alpha-ol-20-one and 5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione crossreacted to a lesser degree in the RIA and lacked effect in the bioassay. Similar results were obtained with pregnandiol-glucuronide, the major urinary metabolite of progesterone. In contrast, several fractions of the urinary material had significant effects in both assays. It is concluded that the digitalis-like activity of progesterone is not coupled to properties associated with its anaesthetic effects. Furthermore, although progesterone may account for a part of the endogenous digoxin-like substances in serum of neonates and pregnant women, neither progesterone proper nor pregnandiol-glucuronide explains the great amount of digoxin-like substances found in the urines.

Structures, function, and transformational changes of the sugar chains of glycohormones.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human luteinizing hormone, human thyroid-stimulating hormone, and human follicle-stimulating hormone are closely related family of proteins which share a common alpha-subunit. However, their sugar moieties are quite different. hCG contains five acidic asparagine-linked sugar chains. These five sugar chains are derived by sialylation from three neutral oligosaccharides: two biantennary (N-1 and N-2) and one monoantennary (N-3) complex-type oligosaccharides. Although hCG purified from the urine of pregnant women is more enriched in sialylated sugar chains than that purified from placenta, the molar ratio of N-1, N-2, and N-3 of these two hCGs are the same (1:2:1). Comparative study of the sugar moieties of the alpha- and beta-subunits of hCG revealed that alpha contains 1 mol each of N-2 and N-3, while beta contains 1 mol each of N-1 and N-2. This specific distribution of oligosaccharides at the four asparagine loci of the hCG molecule is now helping us to consider the functional role of the sugar moiety of glycohormones. hCG is produced not only by the trophoblast but also by various trophoblastic diseases. The hCGs purified from the urine of patients with hydatidiform mole contain the same oligosaccharides as normal hCG. However, those from the urine of choriocarcinoma patients contain five additional neutral oligosaccharides. In contrast, hCGs from invasive-mole patients contain three of the five oligosaccharides, specifically found in choriocarcinoma hCGs. The malignant transformational change of the sugar moiety of hCG can be explained by an increase of a fucosyltransferase, which forms the Fuc alpha 1----6GlcNAc group and by ectopic expression and subsequent modification of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase IV. The appearance of tumor-specific sugar chains of hCG has been used to develop a new diagnostic method for invasive mole and choriocarcinoma.

A Radioimmunoassay for the Core Fragment of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropinβ-Subunit

We developed a RIA for the beta-core fragment of hCG that is excreted in the urine of pregnant women and some patients with cancer. We purified beta-core from crude commercial preparations of hCG (of which beta-core is a major constituent) derived from pregnancy urine and used this purified beta-core material to immunize rabbits. One antiserum (RW25) was particularly useful in that a RIA with purified beta-core as both radioligand and reference preparation had high sensitivity for beta-core detection and low cross-reactivity with other hCG-related molecules and glycoprotein hormones. The cross-reactivities of purified hCG (CR125), hCG beta (CR125), and hCG alpha (CR125) preparations were in each instance less than 3 x 10(-3) (wt/wt). The cross-reactivities of purified pituitary glycoprotein hormones were in each instance less than 2 x 10(-4) (wt/wt). Using the RW25 RIA, virtually all beta-core immunoreactivity in pregnancy urine eluted from Sephadex G-100 in a position coincident with that of purified beta-core. Urine from men and nonpregnant women contained very low levels of beta-core immunoreactivity (less than 6.5 micrograms/L), while urine from pregnant women and patients with testicular cancer or other neoplasms had levels of beta-core immunoreactivity ranging as high as 26,000 micrograms/L. We conclude that the improved specificity of our beta-core RIA will facilitate studies of the physiology and cancer biology of beta-core molecules.

Uromodulin (Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein): a renal ligand for lymphokines.

The protein portion of the immunosuppressive glycoprotein uromodulin is identical to the Tamm-Horsfall urinary glycoprotein and is synthesized in the kidney. Evidence that the glycoproteins are the same is based on amino acid sequence identity, immunologic cross-reactivity, and tissue localization to the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. Nucleic acid sequencing of clones for uromodulin isolated from a complementary DNA bank from human kidney predicts a protein 639 amino acids in length, including a 24--amino acid leader sequence and a cysteine-rich mature protein with eight potential glycosylation sites. Uromodulin and preparations of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein bind to recombinant murine interleukin-1 (rIL-1) and human rIL-1 alpha, rIL-1 beta, and recombinant tumor necrosis factor (rTNF). Uromodulin isolated from urine of pregnant women by lectin adherence is more immunosuppressive than material isolated by the original salt-precipitation protocol of Tamm and Horsfall. Immunohistologic studies demonstrate that rIL-1 and rTNF bind to the same area of the human kidney that binds to antiserum specific for uromodulin. Thus, uromodulin (Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein) may function as a unique renal regulatory glycoprotein that specifically binds to and regulates the circulating activity of a number of potent cytokines, including IL-1 and TNF.

Increase in urinary thromboxane excretion during pregnancy and labor

Urinary TXB 2 excretion was measured during pregnancy and labor using high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay. From the first trimester onwards TXB 2 levels in urine of pregnant women (n=60) were significantly (p <0.001) higher than in non-pregnant women (n=12) and they increased, albeit not significantly, with advancing gestation. Labor was associated with a two-fold increase in urinary TXB 2 excretion. Levels in established labor were significantly higher than at any other time in pregnancy (p <0.001), but the levels in incipient labor showed considerable overlap with these in late pregnancy. Thus urinary TXB 2, while not necessarily originating from the pregnant uterus, appears to reflect the uterine activity of labor and may be the expression of a general stimulation of prostanoid production during parturition.

Human urine-derived inhibitors of interleukin 1.

Human urine has been found to contain several different substances that are capable of inhibiting the in vitro effects of interleukin 1 (IL-1). The urine of febrile individuals contains elevated levels of a 30-40 kilodalton (kdal) glycoprotein that is a potent inhibitor of IL-1-induced proliferation of murine thymocytes. This inhibitor from febrile individuals also blocks antigen-induced activation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro but increases, rather than decreases IL-1-induced production of prostaglandin E2 by fibroblasts. Uromodulin, an 85-kdal glycoprotein derived from the urine of pregnant women, is also a potent inhibitor of IL-1-induced thymocyte proliferation and human lymphocyte activation. Differences in molecular weight, biologic activity, and antigenicity suggest that uromodulin and the febrile inhibitor are distinct entities. Urine of some individuals has also been found to contain large amounts of a third IL-1 inhibitor that is 20-25 kdal in size. Unlike the febrile inhibitor and uromodulin, this 25-kdal molecule has been found to be a potent inhibitor of IL-1-induced production of prostaglandin E2 by fibroblasts as well as of the proliferation of thymocytes. The biologic activities of these three inhibitors indicate that they may be part of an important physiologic system for the regulation of immunity and inflammation in humans.

Studies on steroids : CCXXIX. Separation and characterization of catechol oestrogen glucuronides in urine of pregnant women by high-performance liquid chromatography

The separation and characterization of catechol oestrogen glucuronides in the urine of pregnant women by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection is described. The urine samples from pregnant women were passed through Amberlite XAD-2 and Sep-Pak C 18 columns and subsequented to ion-exchange chromatography on piperidinohydroxypropyl Sephadex LH-20 to isolate the oestrogen glucuronide fraction. The subsequent resolution into individual oestrogen glucuronides was achieved by high-performance liquid chromatography on a reversed-phase column. 2-Hydroxyoestrone 2-glucuronide 4-hydroxyoestrone 4-glucuronide were identified on the basis of their behaviour in high-performance liquid chromatography with three different mobile phases. Derivatization of two glucuronides with 2-ferrocenylethylamine, followed by chromatographic separation and measurement of hydrodynamic voltammograms with an electrochemical detector was carried out for unequivocal identification. Enzymatic cleavage of the glucuronoside linkage followed by the identification of deconjugated catechol oestrogens by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection further supported the structural assignment of these metabolites. The ratio between the amounts of 2-hydroxyoestrone 2-glucuronide and 4-hydroxyoestrone 4-glucuronide excreted in the urine of pregnant women was found to be ca. 5:1.

ANTIBIOTIC ELIMINATION OF GROUP-B STREPTOCOCCI IN URINE IN PREVENTION OF PRETERM LABOUR

The presence of group-B streptococci in the urine of pregnant women seems to be associated with preterm labour. Urine samples from 4122 women at 27-31 weeks' gestation were examined for bacteria. Group-B streptococci were found in the urine of 69 women. In a double-blind, controlled study these patients were given either penicillin (106 IU three times daily for 6 days; 37 patients) or placebo (32 patients). The rates of primary rupture of the membranes (11% v 53%; p <0·001) and preterm labour (5·4% v 38%; p<0·002) were significantly lower in the penicillin group than in the placebo group. These results suggest that treatment and follow-up to prevent recolonisation in pregnant women with group-B streptococci in the urine may reduce the frequency of preterm labour in these patients.

Uromodulin: A unique 85 kilodalton immunosuppressive glycoprotein isolated from urine of pregnant women: Muchmore AV, Decker JM: Science 229:479, 1985

Uromodulin: A unique 85 kilodalton immunosuppressive glycoprotein isolated from urine of pregnant women: Muchmore AV, Decker JM: Science 229:479, 1985

Uromodulin: A Unique 85-Kilodalton Immunosuppressive Glycoprotein Isolated from Urine of Pregnant Women

Crude fractions of urine from pregnant women are immunosuppressive in vitro. An 85-kilodalton immunosuppressive glycoprotein purified to homogeneity from such urine inhibited in vitro assays of human T-cell and monocyte activity at concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-11) molar. This material was nontoxic and blocked early events required for normal T-cell proliferation in vitro. On the basis of its tissue source and its in vitro activity, the name "uromodulin" is proposed for this glycoprotein.

Correlation of oestriol levels in saliva, plasma and urine of pregnant women.

Unconjugated and total oestriol (E3) have been determined in saliva (S) and plasma (P) by radioimmunoassay using a highly specific antiserum against E3. Total oestrogens (E = E1 + E2 + E3) in urine were analysed by the Kober-Ittrich method. No correlation (P greater than 0.05) was found between unconjugated E3 (S) and total E (U) as well as total E3 (S) and total E (U). Total E3 (S) and unconjugated E3 (P), total E3 (S) and total E3 (P) correlated weakly (P less than 0.05 and greater than 0.01). The six remaining correlations were highly significant (P less than 0.001 or less than 0.0001).

Antenatal screening using random blood glucose values.

For many years it has been established practice to test the urine of pregnant women for the presence of glucose in the belief that this is an efficient way to detect diabetes mellitus. It is now becoming recognized that one of the normal maternal physiologic adaptations during pregnancy is an increase in the renal excretion of glucose; on examination, up to 50% of healthy pregnant women will have detectable glycosuria at some stage. As the definition of diabetes mellitus is based on random blood glucose values or the concentrations achieved at defined times after an oral glucose load, it would seem logical that any antenatal screening procedure should be similarly based. A total of 2403 consecutive antenatal patients had a random venous whole blood glucose concentration determined between 28 and 32 wk gestation. Calculated 99% cutoff values were 110 mg/dl (6.1 mmol/L) within 2 h of a meal or 101 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/L) more than 2 h postprandial. Four patients were found to have previously unsuspected but unequivocal diabetes mellitus and four more had impaired glucose tolerance on the basis of the 1980 WHO criteria. Screening all antenatal patients by this method is efficient, does not inconvenience patients, and is relatively cost efficient in terms of staff and laboratory resources.

Cadmium concentrations in blood and urine of pregnant women at delivery and their offspring

The levels of cadmium in blood (CdB) and in urine (CdU) were measured in 40 women at delivery and in their offspring. The women were not occupationally exposed to cadmium. The CdB levels in the pregnant women were significantly lower than in a control group consisting of 40 subjects of the same sex and age living in the same area. The difference can probably be ascribed to the physiological hemodilution that takes place in pregnancy. The CdU levels in the two groups were identical, which suggests that no mobilization of the metal from tissue deposits occurs during pregnancy. The presence of cadmium in the blood and urine of the newborn demonstrates that cadmium crosses the placental barrier. There was a rather high correlation between the CdU levels of mothers and offspring. Since only traces of cadmium are present in tissues at birth, it is speculated that the CdU levels in the newborn are influenced by the tissue deposits of cadmium in the mother. Further research is required to ascertain whether, in the case of women occupationally exposed to cadmium or living in cadmium polluted areas, transfer of the metal across the placenta can produce toxic effects in the foetus.

Bacteriuria due to Ureaplasma urealyticum and Gardnerella vaginalis in women with preeclampsia.

Certain fastidious organisms such as U urealyticum and G vaginalis can be isolated from the aspirated bladder urine of pregnant women more frequently than conventional urinary pathogens such as Escherichia coli [1]. They can be isolated even more often from the aspirated bladder urine of patients with renal disease, but rarely from that of healthy men or nonpregnant women [2]. We investigated the incidence of bacteriuria due to these two organisms--particularly U urealyticum--in patients with preeclampsia. U urealyticum was isolated more frequently (rate, 20%), and usually in higher colony counts, from the urine of patients with preeclampsia than from that of healthy pregnant women (rate, 7%). G vaginalis was isolated with approximately the same frequency as U urealyticum from specimens of bladder urine; both organisms were isolated from the urine of 11 patients (eight healthy women and three with preeclampsia). High colony counts of G vaginalis were also found more frequently in patients with preeclampsia. In both groups other fastidious organisms were isolated in a total of only five patients, and in four of these five cases U urealyticum and/or G vaginalis were also isolated from the same specimen. Urine cultures were more frequently positive in patients with moderately severe hypertension (blood pressure, greater than 160/100 mm Hg) than in those with mild hypertension (blood pressure, 140/90-160/100 mm Hg, occurring in nine (53%) of 17 patients and in nine (26.5%) of 34 patients, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Microbial flora of urine of pregnant women with chronic pyelonephritis

Studies were conducted in 512 pregnant women, of whom 296 had chronic pyelonephritis, 101 had late toxicosis; 115 pregnant women made up the control group.

Chloroquine and its metabolites in human cord blood, neonatal blood, and urine after maternal medication.

Chloroquine, its N-dealkylated metabolites, and chloroquine N-oxides were detected in the urine of pregnant women who were receiving chloroquine medication whereas chloroquine and its nonpolar metabolites, desethyl- and didesethylchloroquine and 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline, have been found in the neonates' urine, blood, and cord blood. We used thin-layer chromatography to separate chloroquine and its metabolites after their extraction from biological fluids. These compounds were identified by comparing their chromatographic and ultraviolet spectrophotometric characteristics with those of reference compounds. That chloroquine and its relatively nonpolar metabolites (including one without the alkyl side-chain, 7-chloro-4-aminoquinoline) cross the placenta is demonstrated by the presence of these compounds in the cord blood, neonatal systemic blood, and neonatal urine. The selective transfer of the compounds in the cord blood, neonatal system blood, and neonatal urine. The selective transfer of the compounds across the placenta and the clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Human granulocyte elastase is inhibited by the urinary trypsin inhibitor.

Two forms of urinary trypsin inhibitor, A and B, were purified from the urine of pregnant women. Form A was the only inhibitor present in fresh urine and inhibitor B arose from degradation of A upon storage of urine. The molecular masses of A and B were about 44 and 20 kDa, respectively, as judged from dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but about 60 kDa and 30 kDa, respectively, as judged from gel filtration analysis. The discrepancy can perhaps be explained by the carbohydrate content amounting to about 10% of each inhibitor. After reduction with mercaptoethanol, inhibitor A and inhibitor B had identical apparent molecular masses of about 20 kDa on dodecyl-sulfate gel electrophoresis. These results and the results of amino acid analysis suggest that one molecule of inhibitor A yields two molecules of inhibitor B. On agarose gel electrophoresis inhibitor A migrated as a rather broad band in the prealbumin region and inhibitor B as 3 well defined bands in the beta-region. Specific antisera were raised against inhibitor A and B. The two inhibitors showed the immunologic reaction of identity with each other and with the plasma inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor, when using either antiserum. The inhibitors both gave quantitative inhibition of bovine trypsin, the results indicating a 4/1 trypsin/inhibitor molar ratio for A and a 2/1 ratio for B. The two substances also effectively inhibited granulocyte elastase. No inhibition of porcine pancreatic elastase was demonstrable.

54. The identification and quantification of 6α-hydroxylated cortisol metabolites in the urine of pregnant women

54. The identification and quantification of 6α-hydroxylated cortisol metabolites in the urine of pregnant women

Immunologic study of a immunoreactive HCG-like substance (antigen 2) compared to subunits of HCG (author's transl)

Isojima and co-workers have reported that crude hCG preparations, extracted from the urine of pregnant women and trophoblastic tumor patients, contained two immunoreactive components designated as Antigen 1 (Ag1) and Antigen 2 (Ag2). It was apparent that Ag1 was identical to highly purified hCG from immunological and biological studies. Ag2 possessed a portion of the antigenic determinants of Ag1 by the double diffusion test but no biological activity by the immature female rat ovarian augmentation method.Recently Ag2 was found in commercial hCG preparations and separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 in our laboratory. In this study, Ag2 has been characterized and compared to subunits of hCG by SDS disc gel electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis using antisera to hCG and hCGβ. Immunoelectrophoresis using absorbed anti-hCG antiserum resulted in the precipitin arcs of Ag2 and hCGα being displaced toward the cathode, but no precipitin arc of hCGβ was obtained. The precipitin lines with a single spur of Ag2 and hCGα showed that the antigenicity of Ag2 had a partial identity with that of hCGα. By immunoelectrophoresis using anti-hCGβ antiserum, the precipitin arc of hCGβ was migrated at the origin and also fused with that of Ag2 with a single spur. When subjected to SDS disc gel electrophoresis, Ag2 showed only a single migrating band and its molecular weight was estimated at approximately 30,000.From these results, it has appeared that Ag2 was not similar to subunits of hCG, but possessed a portion of their antigenic components.

Simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in urine.

A simplified micro-method for the quantitative analysis of urinary polyamines is described. After acid hydrolysis of urine, the polyamines are converted to fluorescent 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene-5-sulfonyl (Dns; dansyl) derivatives and separated by means of thin-layer chromatography. Dns-NH2, which has been reported to interfere with the determination of putrescine, is well separated from di-Dns-putrescine. Putrescine, spermidine and spermine are quantitated by in situ scanning of their fluorescent spots on the chromatogram. The present method is both sensitive and reproducible. It eliminates a number of time-consuming steps and thus reduces preparative losses. Yet an adequate chromatographic resolution is obtained. Representative polyamine analyses of urine from normal volunteers and from cancer patients are reported. Elevated levels occur in the urines of pregnant women and of patients with various types of cancer.