The plasma and amniotic fluid concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 81 women, including 20 in the second stage of labor, 14 in the latent period, 15 in the third trimester of pregnancy, 10 in midtrimester, and 12 postpartum women ,and 10 normal nonpregnant women served as control. The results showed that the plasma ET-1 concentrations of women in second stage of labor, latent period, normal third trimester, and midtrimester of pregnancy were significantly higher than those of the normal nonpregnant and postpartum women and increased with pregnancy and labor, with a peak level in second stage of labor. At 24 hours postpartum, the plasma ET-1 concentrations decreased abruptly to the nonpregnant levels. The ET-1 and PGE2 concentrations in amniotic fluid were significantly higher than those in plasma, both at various stages of pregnancy and during labor. The PGE2 levels in plasma and amniotic fluid varied with the ET-1 levels and there was a significant positive correlation at various stages of pregnancy and during labor. The results suggest that ET-1 concentrations in plasma and amniotic fluid increases with gestational length, and produces contractions of pregnant my-ometrium at term. The ET-1 stimulats the production of PGE2 and plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of labor.

OBJECTIVESTo increase the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic ACTH syndrome.

METHODSThe data of 12 ectopic ACTH syndrome patients treated from 1985 to 1999 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSTwelve patients were diagnosed as having ACTH syndrome by endocrinary test and primary tumors were ascertained by imaging examination. Follow-up from 7 months to 8 years showed 3 out of 5 patients with radical resection of primary tumor died. One patient with bilateral adrenorectomy was still alive. All patients received only chemotherapy except one died.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with Cushing's syndrome should be evaluated by endocrine test and followed up by imaging screen examination. The key points to increase treatment effect include early detection, localization and resection of primary tumors.

ACTH Syndrome, Ectopic ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Cushing Syndrome ; Humans

Objective To determine kinetics of TNF-α and miR-146a (microRNA-146a)expressions in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NR8383 alveolar macrophages (AM) at different intervals and their relationships in order to explore regulatory effect and mechanism of miR-146a on alveolar macrophages inflammatory responses.Methods NR8383 alveolar macrophages were seeded in a 6-well plate,and stimulated with 1 μg/ml of LPS for 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h separately after 90 min.Cells were harvested and supernatant were collected 0 h,3 h,6 h and 12 h after incubation.The expressions of miR146a and TNF-α mRNA in cells were detected by real-time qPCR and the levels of TNF-α protein in the supematant of cells were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ).Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between miR-146a and TNF-α mRNA.Results ①The level of TNF-α protein in the supernatant of cell was significantly increased 3 h after LPS challenge ( 359.80 ±57.54) pg/ml (P ＜0.01 ),and peaked 12 h later (729.22 ±50.40) pg/ml (P＜0.01 ) ; ②the expression of TNF-α mRNA peaked 3 h after LPS challenge (67.48 ±24.52) fold,P ＜0.01 ),and then decreased gradually; ③the expression of miR-146a mRNA increased continuously until 6 h or 12 h after LPS challenge 6 h:(5.33 ±0.81) fold,12 h:(8.21 ±1.19) fold,(P＜0.01),and it showed an upward tendency;④ the expression of miR-146a mRNA was negatively correlated with TNF-α mRNA ( r =-0.895,P ＜0.01).Conclusions The miR-146a mRNA showed a negative correlation with TNF-α mRNA present in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated alveolar macrophages,suggesting miR-146a mRNA involved in regulating the inflammatory response of alveolar macrophages.