title: The role of apoptosis in preterm premature rupture of the human fetal membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to examine apoptotic cell death via the caspase-dependent pathway in human fetal membranes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amniotic membrane samples were collected from three groups of women: group 1, women with preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) after cesarean delivery (n = 10), group 2, women with preterm labor (PTL) with intact membranes after cesarean delivery (n = 9) and group 3, women with term labor and vaginal delivery after an uncomplicated pregnancy (controls) (n = 11).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Active caspase-3 immunopositivity (ACPI) of the PPROM group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). ACPI was higher in the PTL with intact membranes group as compared to the control group; however, it did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Active caspase-3 positivity is increased in the fetal membranes of those women with PPROM.
authors: Perinatology Department, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors: Aylin
authors: A
authors: Saglam
authors: Cinar
authors: C
authors: Ozgur
authors: Iris
authors: I
authors: Derwig
authors: Bekir Serdar
authors: BS
authors: Unlu
authors: Funda
authors: F
authors: Gode
authors: Tamer
authors: T
authors: Mungan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053148:Caspase 3