| 1. |
- Axfors, Cathrine, et al.
(författare)
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Cohort profile : the Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging and Cognition (BASIC) study on perinatal depression in a population-based Swedish cohort
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: With the population-based, prospective Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging and Cognition (BASIC) cohort, we aim to investigate the biopsychosocial aetiological processes involved in perinatal depression (PND) and to pinpoint its predictors in order to improve early detection.PARTICIPANTS: From September 2009 to November 2018, the BASIC study at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, has enrolled 5492 women, in 6478 pregnancies, of which 46.3% first-time pregnancies and with an average age of 31.5 years. After inclusion around gestational week 16-18, participants are followed-up with data collection points around gestational week 32, at childbirth, as well as three times postpartum: after 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. At the last follow-up, 70.8% still remain in the cohort.FINDINGS TO DATE: In addition to internet-based surveys with self-report instruments, participants contribute with biological samples, for example, blood samples (maternal and from umbilical cord), biopsies (umbilical cord and placenta) and microbiota samples. A nested case-control subsample also takes part in cognitive and emotional tests, heart rate variability tests and bioimpedance tests. Subprojects have identified various correlates of PND of psychological and obstetric origin in addition to factors of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune system.FUTURE PLANS: In parallel with the completion of data collection (final follow-up November 2019), BASIC study data are currently analysed in multiple subprojects. Since 2012, we are conducting an ongoing follow-up study on the participants and their children up to 6 years of age (U-BIRTH). Researchers interested in collaboration may contact Professor Alkistis Skalkidou (corresponding author) with their request to be considered by the BASIC study steering committee.
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| 3. |
- Edvinsson, Åsa, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of antenatal depression and antidepressant treatment on placental tissue : a protein-validated gene expression study.
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2393 .- 1471-2393. ; 19
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Antenatal depression affects 10-20% of pregnant women. Around 2-4% of European pregnant women use antidepressant treatment, most commonly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Poor pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and low birth weight, have been described in women with antenatal depression and in pregnant women on SSRI treatment. However, the effects of antenatal depression and antidepressant treatment on the placenta are largely unknown. The aim of this work was to compare placental gene and protein expression in healthy women, women with untreated antenatal depression and women on antidepressant treatment during pregnancy.METHODS: Placental samples from 47 controls, 25 depressed and 45 SSRI-treated women were analysed by means of qPCR using custom-designed TaqMan low-density arrays (TLDAs) for 44 genes previously known to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression, and expressed in the placenta. Moreover, placental protein expression was determined by means of immunohistochemistry in 37 healthy controls, 13 women with untreated depression and 21 women on antidepressant treatment. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed by one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test.RESULTS: Nominally significant findings were noted for HTR1A and NPY2R, where women with untreated depression displayed higher gene expression than healthy controls (p < 0.05), whereas women on antidepressant treatment had similar expression as healthy controls. The protein expression analyses revealed higher expression of HTR1A in placentas from women on antidepressant treatment, than in placentas from healthy controls (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The differentially expressed HTR1A, both at the gene and the protein level that was revealed in this study, suggests the involvement of HTR1A in the effect of antenatal depression on biological mechanisms in the placenta. More research is needed to elucidate the role of depression and antidepressant treatment on the placenta, and, further, the effect on the fetus.
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| 5. |
- Kallak, Theodora Kunovac, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Maternal and female fetal testosterone levels are associated with maternal age and gestational weight gain
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Journal of Endocrinology. - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 177:4, s. 379-388
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Prenatal androgen exposure has been suggested to play a role in polycystic ovary syndrome. Given the limited information on what maternal characteristics influence maternal testosterone levels, and the even less explored routes by which female fetus androgen exposure would occur, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maternal age, BMI, weight gain, depressed mood and aromatase SNPs on testosterone levels in maternal serum and amniotic fluid of female fetuses.METHODS: Blood samples from pregnant women (n = 216) obtained in gestational weeks 35-39, and pre-labor amniotic fluid samples from female fetuses (n = 56), taken at planned Caesarean section or in conjunction with amniotomy for induction of labor, were analyzed. Maternal serum testosterone and amniotic fluid testosterone and cortisol were measured by tandem mass spectrometry.RESULTS: Multiparity (β = -0.28, P < 0.001), self-rated depression (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and weight gain (β = 0.18, P < 0.05) were independent explanatory factors for the maternal total testosterone levels. Maternal age (β = -0.34, P < 0.001), weight gain (β = 0.19, P < 0.05) and amniotic fluid cortisol levels (β = 0.44, P < 0.001) were independent explanatory factors of amniotic fluid testosterone in female fetuses, explaining 64.3% of the variability in amniotic fluid testosterone.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Young maternal age and excessive maternal weight gain may increase the prenatal androgen exposure of female fetuses. Further studies are needed to explore this finding.
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| 6. |
- Altmäe, Signe, et al.
(författare)
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Variation in Hyaluronan-Binding Protein 2 (HABP2) Promoter Region is Associated With Unexplained Female Infertility
- 2011
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Ingår i: Reproductive Sciences. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1933-7191 .- 1933-7205. ; 18:5, s. 485-492
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We set up to analyze polymorphisms in hyaluronan-binding protein 2 (HABP2) gene in healthy fertile women (n = 158) and in women with unexplained infertility (n = 116) and to investigate the potential role of HABP2 in receptive endometrium. Minor rs1157916 A and the major rs2240879 A alleles together with AA genotypes were significantly less frequent in infertile women than in controls. Immunohistochemistry analysis of endometrial HABP2 expression at the time of implantation identified significantly lower HABP2 protein level in infertile women in stroma and vessels than in fertile women. Migration assay analysis of cultured trophoblast and endothelial cells toward HABP2 protein referred to the function of HABP2 in endometrial endothelial cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that polymorphisms in the regulatory region of HABP2 gene could influence gene expression levels in the receptive endometrium and could thereby be one reason for infertility complications in women with unexplained infertility. Additionally, HABP2 protein involvement in endometrial angiogenesis is proposed.
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| 7. |
- Baumgart, Juliane, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Androgen levels during adjuvant endocrine therapy in postmenopausal breast cancer patients
- 2014
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Ingår i: Climacteric. - London, United Kingdom : Informa Healthcare. - 1369-7137 .- 1473-0804. ; 17:1, s. 48-54
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To investigate plasma steroid hormone levels in postmenopausal breast cancer patients with and without adjuvant endocrine therapy and in healthy postmenopausal women.Methods: Steroid hormone levels in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (n = 32) were compared with breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen (n = 34), breast cancer patients without adjuvant endocrine therapy (n = 15), and healthy postmenopausal women (n = 56). Pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione, total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone and estradiol were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Sex hormone binding globulin was measured by solid-phase chemiluminescent immunometric assays, and the free androgen index was calculated.Results: Aromatase inhibitor users did not differ in dihydrotestosterone, total testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA, or free androgen index levels from healthy controls or untreated breast cancer patients. The highest total testosterone levels were found in tamoxifen-treated women, who had significantly higher plasma concentrations than both women treated with aromatase inhibitors and breast cancer patients without adjuvant treatment. Concentrations of cortisol and cortisone were significantly greater in aromatase inhibitor users as well as tamoxifen users, in comparison with healthy controls and untreated breast cancer patients. Aromatase inhibitor users had lower estrone and estradiol plasma concentrations than all other groups.Conclusion: Adjuvant treatment with aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen was associated with increased cortisol and cortisone plasma concentrations as well as decreased estradiol concentrations. Androgen levels were elevated in tamoxifen-treated women but not in aromatase inhibitor users.
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| 8. |
- Baumgart, Juliane, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Sexual dysfunction in women on adjuvant endocrine therapy after breast cancer
- 2013
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Ingår i: Menopause. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1072-3714 .- 1530-0374. ; 20:2, s. 162-168
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors.Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal breast cancer patients on adjuvant endocrine treatment and age-matched controls with and without estrogen treatment. Sexual function was assessed with a standardized questionnaire.Results: In all, 42.4% of aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancer patients were dissatisfied with their sex life in general, and 50.0% reported low sexual interest; this was significantly more common than in tamoxifen-treated patients and controls (P < 0.05). Aromatase inhibitorYtreated patients reported insufficient lubrication in 73.9% and dyspareunia in 56.5% of cases, which were significantly more common than in controls, irrespective of hormonal use (P < 0.05). Tamoxifen-treated patients reported significantly more dyspareunia (31.3%; P < 0.05) but resembled controls in all other concerns.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that sexual dysfunction in aromatase inhibitorYtreated women is a greatly underestimated problem.
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| 9. |
- Bourlev, Vladimir, 1947-, et al.
(författare)
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Vasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in women with endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain
- 2018
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Ingår i: American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Wiley. - 1046-7408 .- 1600-0897. ; 80:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ProblemChronic pelvic pain (CPP) causes compromised the quality of life in women with endometriosis and is often attributed to local inflammation and ingrowth of nerve fibers. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate whether the inflammation‐related vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and interleukin (IL)‐6 were increased in affected patients.Method of studyEndometrial and endometriotic tissue biopsy specimens, and serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples, were obtained from 85 endometriosis patients and 53 controls. VIP and IL‐6 analysis and measurement of microvessel density in tissue were performed using immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, RT‐qPCR, and ELISA.ResultsCompared with controls, VIP transcript and protein levels were increased in endometrium from endometriosis patients and further elevated in patients with CPP. In addition, microvessel density, a measurement of angiogenic activity, was increased in the endometrium and in endometriosis lesions in the same subset of patients. Serum and PF levels of VIP and IL‐6 were higher in women with endometriosis and CPP compared with endometriosis patients who reported no chronic pain.ConclusionVasoactive intestinal peptide is upregulated in endometriosis patients reporting chronic pain. Increased microvessel density in tissue and peritoneal fluid concentrations of IL‐6 indicate an elevated inflammation in the pelvic microenvironment of these patients.
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| 10. |
- Castro, Rita Amiel, et al.
(författare)
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Pregnancy-related hormones and COMT genotype : Associations with maternal working memory
- 2021
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Ingår i: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier. - 0306-4530 .- 1873-3360. ; 132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Women experience different degrees of subjective cognitive changes during pregnancy. The exact mechanism underlying these changes is unknown, although endocrine alterations and genetics may be contributing factors. We investigated whether multiple pregnancy-related hormones were associated with working memory function assessed with the Digit Span Test (DST) in late pregnancy. Moreover, we examined whether the catechol-Omethyltransferase (COMT) genotype, previously related to working memory, was an effect modifier in this association. In this population-based panel study, we recorded psychiatric history, medication use, socio-demographic characteristics, and psychological well-being, gathered blood and saliva samples, and administered the DST at gestational weeks 35-39 (N = 216). We conducted multivariate linear regressions with DST as outcome, with different hormones and COMT genotype, adjusting for covariates including maternal age, BMI, education, depressive symptoms, and parity. We repeated these analyses excluding women with elevated depressive symptoms. Higher DST total scores were associated with increased free estradiol concentrations (B = 0.01, p = 0.03; B = 0.01, p = 0.02) in all participants and in participants without depressive symptoms, respectively, whereas DST forward was positively associated with free estradiol only in women without depressive symptoms (B = 0.01, p = 0.04). Lower total testosterone concentrations (B = -0.03, p = 0.01) enhanced DST backward performance in non-depressed women. Maternal higher education was significantly associated with the DST subscales in all participants. No significant differences emerged when considering the COMT genotype. Our results suggest differential associations of free estradiol and total testosterone levels with working memory function in late pregnancy.
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