Prostaglandin production in human endometrium following continuous exposure to low-dose levonorgestrel released from a vaginal ring.
Arachidonic acid metabolites produced by primary cultures of human endometrial cells derived from biopsies obtained before and after exposure to 20 micrograms/day levonorgestrel for 84 +/- 1 days were analysed by reverse phase HPLC. This revealed a significant increase in PGF1 alpha and an epoxide metabolite upon levonorgestrel stimulation. The proportion of epoxide metabolite, PGF1 alpha and PGE2 were positively correlated with serum levonorgestrel levels while HETES, PGE2 and epoxide were similarly correlated with serum oestradiol. The extent of intermenstrual bleeding during exposure to levonorgestrel was correlated with the proportion of epoxide and HETES products in vitro which is discussed in relation to their physiological function.
White
J O
JO
Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London.
Sullivan
M H
MH
Patel
L
L
Croxtall
J D
JD
d'Arcangues
C
C
Belsey
E M
EM
Elder
M G
MG
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D001706:Biopsy; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004717:Endometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006893:Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D009644:Norgestrel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000096:biosynthesis
D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D006893:Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; D011453:Prostaglandins; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D009644:Norgestrel; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D016912:Levonorgestrel; D015232:Dinoprostone