title: Reactive oxygen intermediates and reactive nitrogen intermediates in copper intrauterine device users.
abstract: The mechanism of action of copper in copper intrauterine devices (Cu IUD) as an antimicrobial agent is not well understood. Copper and iron are supposed to be responsible for release of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) and reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI), which are very active in the presence of infection. The copper in a copper IUD could be responsible for limiting pelvic inflammatory disease. The present study was composed of 20 IUD seekers in whom ROI and RNI were studied before insertion of Cu IUD and then at 1, 4, and 12 weeks afterward. ROI showed a rise after insertion, whereas RNI showed a steady decline. Hence, it is presumed that the rise in ROI could be responsible for both the bactericidal effect of Cu IUD and also for the fall in RNI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.lastname: Anjalika
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ganguly
mesh_terms: D002863:Chromogenic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002956:Citrulline / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005029:Ethylenediamines; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper / Q000382:microbiology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D009000:Monocytes; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012588:Scintillation Counting; D013424:Sulfanilamides; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D005029:Ethylenediamines; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; C095000:Griess reagent; D009573:Nitrites; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013424:Sulfanilamides; D002956:Citrulline