acid-phosphatase and Abortion--Habitual

Human red cell acid phosphatase (ACP1) is a polymorphic enzyme closely related to cytosolic low molecular weight acid phosphatases, a protein family broadly conserved among eukaryotes. Two different functions have been proposed for ACP1: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) phosphatase and phosphotyrosine phosphatase (PTPase). Given that genetic variants of ACP1 activity are common, the enzyme could have a role in regulating a large spectrum of cellular functions and, in turn, disease susceptibility. In the present paper we report a study of ACP1 genetic polymorphism in 1088 normal subjects and in 1267 subjects from the population of Rome admitted to hospital for a number of common diseases. All ACP1 parameters investigated show highly significant differences among samples, suggesting that the enzyme may have a significant role in some of the diseases considered. In particular, consistent associations of ACP1 with developmental disturbances and with hemolytic favism have been observed. In the majority of diseases showing association with ACP1, only one of the two ACP1 isoforms, f and s, is involved, supporting the hypothesis of a functional differentiation between the two enzymatic fractions.

Topics: Abortion, Habitual; Acid Phosphatase; Adult; Amino Acid Sequence; Case-Control Studies; Conserved Sequence; Erythrocytes; Favism; Female; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Isoenzymes; Italy; Male; Odds Ratio; Polymorphism, Genetic; Pregnancy; Reference Values

Leukocytic dehydrogenases (succinate and alpha-glucose phosphate dehydrogenases) and acid and alkaline phosphatase hydrolases activities were cytochemically assayed in 20 healthy women with normal menstrual cycles (controls) and 34 ones with habitual abortions. Ovulation in health was associated with a significant elevation of SDH, alpha-GPDH, and alkaline phosphatase activities. The second peak of enzymic activation, less marked, was recorded on days 20-24 of the cycle. Acid phosphatase activity was reduced by the second phase of the cycle. In women with habitual abortions the activities of redox enzymes (SDH and alpha-GPDH) reduced as against the controls (p less than 0.05, less than 0.01, less than 0.001), and no ovulatory peak of enzymic activation was detectable. The curves of enzymic activities were in good correlation with rectal temperature curves of the examinees. Elevated enzymic activities during ovulation and in the second phase of a normal cycle evidenced a sufficiently high energy supply of these processes. The detected reduction of leukocytic enzymic activities in women with habitual abortions may be used for the early diagnosis of an unfavorable pregnancy course and, possibly, for the prediction of placental insufficiency.

Topics: Abortion, Habitual; Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Alkaline Phosphatase; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Female; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Leukocytes; Pregnancy; Prognosis; Succinate Dehydrogenase

Topics: Abortion, Habitual; Acid Phosphatase; Alkaline Phosphatase; DNA; Endometriosis; Endometrium; Female; Glycogen; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Hyperplasia; Menopause; Pregnancy; Proteins; RNA