Decreases in adrenomedullin expression and ciliary beat frequency in the nasal epithelium in tubal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To study adrenomedullin (ADM) expression and its relation to ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in the nasal mucociliated epithelium in tubal ectopic pregnancy (tEP).

DESIGN

Experimental study.

SETTING

University teaching hospital.

PATIENT(S): Women with tEP and normal intrauterine pregnancy matched for age and gestational age were recruited. Healthy nonpregnant women were also recruited as nonpregnant controls.

INTERVENTION(S): Nasal epithelial brushing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Adrenomedullin expression in nasal epithelium (measured by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, plasma ADM concentration (measured by ELISA), and CBF (measured by photometric method).

RESULT(S): We have demonstrated a similar decrease in ADM expression and CBF in the nasal mucociliated epithelium, as well as in plasma ADM concentration, in women with tEP compared with normal pregnant women. Adrenomedullin up-regulates nasal CBF via the ADM receptor, as in the oviduct. There is significant correlation between nasal and oviductal CBF.

CONCLUSION(S): Nasal epithelium ADM and CBF, as well as plasma ADM, are possible predictors of women at risk of tEP.