Human placental transfer of the prostaglandin inhibitor sulindac using an in vitro model.
OBJECTIVE
We determined whether the prostaglandin inhibitor sulindac crosses the human placenta.


METHODS
The recirculating single-cotyledon placenta model was used to characterize the maternal-to-fetal and fetal-to-maternal transport of 14C-labeled sulindac in normal term placentas perfused immediately after delivery. Antipyrine was added as a standard for simple diffusion. Serial samples were taken from both reservoirs during each 3-hour perfusion. Transport was calculated using liquid scintillation spectrometry for 14C-labeled sulindac and high-performance liquid chromatography for antipyrine.


RESULTS
There was significant maternal-to-fetal transfer of sulindac. The mean (+/- SD) transfer at 2 hours was 7.22 +/- 2.57%. The fetal-to-maternal transfer was similar at 10.75 +/- 3.80%. The mean maternal/fetal concentration ratio of sulindac was 0.42 at 3 hours. Placental uptake ranged from 24-45 ng/g of placenta.


CONCLUSIONS
Sulindac crosses the human placenta in small but significant amounts. The transport is similar in both directions, implying simple diffusion.
Higby
K
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, USA.
Elliott
B
B
King
T S
TS
Frasier
D
D
Langer
O
O
D000983:Antipyrine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007700:Kinetics; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013467:Sulindac / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D013467:Sulindac; D000983:Antipyrine