title: Surfactant stimulates prostaglandin E production in human amnion.
abstract: Discs of human amnion prepared from nine women delivered by elective caesarean section at term were incubated with and without purified human amniotic fluid surfactant (9 micrograms lipid P/ml), and the output of prostaglandin E (PGE) was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Surfactant stimulated the release of PGE from 3.8 (SD 2.9) to 5.4 (SD 2.5) pmol/mg dry weight/3 h (P less than 0.01). Arachidonic acid accounted for 2% of the fatty acids of surfactant lecithin. These results show that surfactant has a stimulatory effect on amniotic PGE production and that it is an important source of arachidonic acid in amniotic fluid.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López Bernal
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Phizackerley
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Turnbull
mesh_terms: D000650:Amnion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D011247:Pregnancy; D011458:Prostaglandins E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D011458:Prostaglandins E; D013501:Surface-Active Agents