Inhibition of amniotic interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E2 release by ampicillin.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effect of ampicillin on amniotic interleukin-6 (IL-6) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release.


METHODS
In an in vitro study, IL-6 and PGE2 release from amnion-like Wistar Institute Susan Hayflick cells was assayed under basal conditions, as well as after incubation with ampicillin. In an in vivo study, amniotic fluid IL-6 was assayed in a total of 212 patients submitted to genetic amniocentesis during the 17th week of their singleton physiological pregnancy. The study population was subdivided as follows: 92 patients sampled before ampicillin administration, 70 patients sampled 4 hours after administration of 1 g ampicillin, and 50 patients sampled 12 hours after administration of 1 g ampicillin.


RESULTS
At doses ranging from 10-7 to 10-4 M, ampicillin decreased IL-6 release from Wistar Institute Susan Hayflick cells. The drug effect was already statistically significant (-30%; P <.05) at the lowest concentration tested (10-7 M), reaching the maximum (-50%) at 10-6 M after 4 hours of incubation. Moreover, ampicillin concentrations ranging from 10-7 to 10-4 M decreased PGE2 release from Wistar Institute Susan Hayflick cells; maximal inhibition was reached at 10-6 M after 4 hours (-40%; P <.05). Finally, IL-6 levels measured in amniotic fluid of patients sampled 4 hours after ampicillin administration proved strongly and significantly reduced when compared with those sampled either before or 12 hours after treatment (P <.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The capacity of ampicillin to directly decrease amniotic IL-6 and PGE2 release should be considered in the management of bacterial and nonbacterial inflammatory complications of pregnancy mediated by the cytokine and prostanoid interaction.
Vesce
Fortunato
F
Department of Biochemical Sciences and Advanced Therapy, Section of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. ves@dns.unife.it
Pavan
Barbara
B
Lunghi
Laura
L
Giovannini
Gloria
G
Scapoli
Chiara
C
Piffanelli
Adriano
A
Biondi
Carla
C
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000667:Ampicillin; D015232:Dinoprostone