Biochemical changes in human cervical connective tissue after local application of prostaglandin E2.
Intracervical application of prostaglandin E2 in the late first trimester induces (1) softening of the cervix tissue; (2) increase in sulfated glycosaminoglycans (18 +/- 12%, mean +/- SEM); (3) no change in hyaluronic acid and water; (4) decrease in pepsin-extractable collagen, and (5) apparent decrease in collagenase. A high activity of collagenase in combination with a replacement of collagen with sulfated glycosaminoglycans may be of importance for the ripening process.
D001834:Body Water / Q000032:analysis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D003012:Microbial Collagenase / Q000378:metabolism; D011459:Prostaglandins E, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*
D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D011459:Prostaglandins E, Synthetic; D003094:Collagen; D003012:Microbial Collagenase