Effect of 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone caproate on the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-treated gravid human myometrial explants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPC) alters tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and the expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in myometrium exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS).


METHODS
Lower segment myometrial biopsies were obtained from non-laboring patients at term. Tissues were cultured in serum-free media with 17-OHPC (1 microM) and LPS (1 microg/ml), either alone or in combination. At 24 h, the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the expression of COX-2 was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and real-time (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric testing. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant.


RESULTS
17-OHPC had no effect on TNF-alpha production and COX-2 expression when compared with untreated myometrial explants (P=0.61 and P=0.95). LPS induced production of TNF-alpha (P=0.03) and expression of COX-2 (P=0.02). Treatment with 17-OHPC did not block LPS-induced TNF-alpha production (P=0.37) or COX-2 expression (P=0.12).


CONCLUSIONS
In this pilot study, 17-OHPC did not affect the production of TNF-alpha or COX-2 expression in human myometrium.
Patel
S
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Li
A
A
Goodwin
T M
TM
Brower
M
M
Blitz
M
M
Minoo
P
P
Felix
J C
JC
Lee
R H
RH
D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000077713:17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone Caproate; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2