title: Recombinant human lactoferrin inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9) activity in a rabbit preterm delivery model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of recombinant human lactoferrin (rh-LF) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase as a marker of cervical maturation, using a rabbit preterm delivery model in which preterm labor was induced by bacteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used cervical tissues that had been excised in a previous study in which rabbits were randomly assigned to receive either inoculation with Escherichia coli (E. coli) or saline solution and to receive pretreatment with or without rh-LF inserted into the cervix two hours before bacterial inoculation (Condition A: saline + saline; Condition B: rh-LF + E. coli; Condition C: saline +E. coli). E. coli, saline solution, and rh-LF were inserted into the cervix using a hysteroscope and a sterile polyethylene cannula. Both cervices of the rabbit uterus, which is bicorpus-bicolli, were taken out and preserved, and expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2,-3, and -9 in the cervix was evaluated using Western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MMP-2,-3, and -9 levels in the cervix under Conditions A and B were significantly lower than that under Condition C.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the prevention of preterm delivery by rh-LF in a rabbit model has been achieved through inhibition of cervical maturation promoted by matrix metalloproteinase activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Katsufumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otsuki
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yakuwa
authors.forename: Akitoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mitsukawa
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chiba
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagatsuka
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000201:enzymology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D007781:Lactoferrin; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases