Does chondroitin sulfate defend the human uterine cervix against ripening in threatened premature labor?
OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to investigate changes in chondroitin sulfate levels in the cervix and the physiologic role of chondroitin sulfate isomers in the process of cervical ripening.


METHODS
Uterine cervical mucus samples were obtained from 57 women (7 nonpregnant women, 19 at preterm gestation, 9 at term gestation, 16 during the first stage of term labor, and 6 with threatened premature labor). Chondroitin sulfate isomer (chondroitin 0-sulfate, 4-sulfate, and 6-sulfate) concentrations in cervical mucus were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of exogenous chondroitin sulfate on hyaluronidase activity in cervical mucus was evaluated by gel permeation chromatography of fluorolabeled hyaluronic acid.


RESULTS
Chondroitin sulfate concentrations in cervical mucus were increased significantly (P <. 05) in the threatened premature labor group compared with the preterm and term groups. However, the same finding was not observed in the first stage of term labor. Exogenous chondroitin sulfate inhibited hyaluronidase activity in mucus.


CONCLUSIONS
Chondroitin sulfate may defend against cervical ripening in threatened premature labor.
Obara
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hirano
H
H
Ogawa
M
M
Tsubaki
H
H
Yoshida
Y
Y
Miyauchi
S
S
Tanaka
T
T
D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000187:drug effects*; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000502:physiology*; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007536:Isomerism; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence
D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase