Maternal Serum and Amniotic Fluid Hydroxyproline Levels in Neural Tube Defects

Purpose: The proportions of select stem cells in term amniotic fluid have been shown to correlate with the type and size of experimental neural tube defects (NTDs). We sought to determine the impact of gestational age upon this form of targeted amniotic cell profiling. Methods: Sprague-Dawley fetuses with retinoic acid-induced NTDs (n = 110) underwent amniotic fluid procurement at four time points in gestation. Samples were analyzed by flow cytometry for the presence of cells concomitantly expressing Nestin and Sox-2 (neural stem cells, aNSCs) and cells concomitantly expressing CD29 and CD44 (mesenchymal stem cells, aMSCs). Statistical analysis was by nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: There was a statistically significant impact of gestational age on the proportions of both aMSCs (p = 0.01) and aNSCs (p < 0.01) in fetuses with isolated spina bifida. No such impact was noted in normal fetuses (p > 0.10 for both cells), in isolated exencephaly (p > 0.10 for both cells), or in combination defects (p > 0.10 for both cells). Gestational age had no effect on aNSC/aMSC ratios. Conclusions: Targeted quantitative amniotic cell profiling varies with gestational age in experimental isolated spina bifida. This finding should be considered prior to the eventual translation of this diagnostic adjunct into the prenatal evaluation of these anomalies.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Gestational Age on Targeted Amniotic Cell Profiling in Experimental Neural Tube Defects

Pennington

Rialon²,

Dionigi³

et al. 2014

“…Ozyurt et al [27] discovered that fetuses with NTD had higher levels of hydroxyproline in the amniotic fluid compared to controls. Moreover, they proposed that increased hydroxyproline levels may reflect increased collagen turnover in fetuses with NTD.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amniotic Fluid Prolidase Activity and Oxidative Status in Neural Tube Defects

Vural

Camuzcuoğlu²,

Toy³

et al. 2010

Objective: To evaluate oxidative stress markers and prolidase activity in the amniotic fluid of fetuses with a neural tube defect (NTD) compared to the amniotic fluid of normal fetuses. Methods: Amniotic fluid samples from 36 pregnancies of fetuses with NTD were compared with the amniotic fluid from 36 pregnancies of genetically normal fetuses for analysis of oxidative status and prolidase activity. The control group consisted of fetuses from pregnancies that were diagnosed as high-risk according to a 1st or 2nd trimester aneuploidy screening, but which were later confirmed to have normal results. An automated method was used to measure oxidative status. Prolidase enzyme activity was determined using a photometric method. Results: Prolidase activity, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index of amniotic fluid from fetuses with NTD were significantly higher compared to controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively), whereas total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Levels of prolidase activity and oxidative stress are increased in the amniotic fluid of fetuses with NTD. These indicators may serve as diagnostic markers in this disease.

“…It is often associated with certain other abnormalities affecting the CNS (spina bifida, anencephaly, DandyWalker malformation) but malformations involving other organs and systems can also be observed [4,6,[10][11][12][13] . Accordingly, in the majority of the cases it is regarded as a lethal anomaly [14] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Major Diagnostic and Pathological Features of Iniencephaly Based on Twenty-Four Cases

Joó¹,

Beke²,

Papp³

et al. 2008

Iniencephaly is quite a rare malformation the etiology of which is still not fully understood. In the majority of cases it is a grave and lethal condition. It is often complicated by other abnormalities affecting the central nervous system (spina bifida, anencephaly), but malformations involving other organs and systems may also be observed. Based on 24 cases the authors have surveyed the diagnostics of iniencephaly with special regard to the disorders affecting the central and non-central nervous systems. In addition, they have compared the results of prenatal diagnostics and pathological investigations. In the sample, maternal age ranged between 17 and 42 (median 24) years. Positive obstetrical-gynecological and genetic findings in the patients’ history have been reported in 4 and 2 cases, respectively. In these cases, the maternal serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) values ranged between 0.7 and 3.9 (median 2.0) MoM, while the amniotic fluid AFP values were between 0.9 and 2.7 (median 1.4) MoM. Spina bifida (50%) and anencephaly (42%) were the most commonly occurring complications affecting the central nervous system. Among the non-central nervous system disorders, malformations of the abdominal (omphalocele) and thoracic walls (diaphragmatic hernia) were found most frequently and the tendency to develop associated polyhydramnios was also very high (75%). Pathological investigations revealed developmental disorders such as cleft lip and palate, ventricular septal defect and facial dysmorphism, which are difficult to detect using ultrasonography.