The synthesis of prostaglandins in the uterus at term are modulated by two isoforms of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX): constitutive COX-1 and inducible COX-2. This study aims to characterize the expression of the protein for COX-1 and -2 i…
OBJECTIVE: To test for differences in the amount and activity of peritoneal macrophages present in the peritoneal fluid of women with, and without endometriosis using prostaglandin release by macrophages in culture as a marker. PATIENTS: W…
Pelvic congestion may cause chronic pelvic pain in women. The aim of the study is to elucidate a possible role in this condition for prostaglandin. Prostaglandin levels in peritoneal fluid were measured in 18 women with pelvic pain caused b…
The study was carried out following the approval of our Hospital Ethics Committee and an informed patient consent. Samples of peritoneal fluid were collected from the Pouch of Douglas at laparoscopy from 32 subjects with minimal stage endom…
When endometrial stromal cells from rat uteri sensitized for the decidual cell reaction are cultured in vitro, they undergo decidualization, as indicated by increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates t…
The regulation of cervical ripening in pregnancy may involve arachidonic acid metabolites. We studied the formation of lipoxygenase products in cervical biopsies from twenty nulliparous women requesting a first trimester abortion. The patie…
The present study investigated the effects of piriprost (U-60,257B; an inhibitor of LT synthesis) and various LTs on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of rat endometrial stromal cells in vitro. Mature ovariectomized rats were pretreated w…
Previously, piriprost (U-60,257B; an inhibitor of leukotriene (LT) synthesis) was shown to increase alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in cultured endometrial stromal cells (1). The present study investigated the mechanism of action of pir…
The mechanism of action of RU 486 (Mifepristone), an antiprogesterone compound, on labor induction and on cervical maturation, is still not well documented. We have investigated the effect of RU 486, alone and in association with a cyclooxy…
Luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates prostaglandin biosynthesis and steroidogenesis in preovulatory (PO) follicles prior to ovulation. Since the ovulatory process shares many similarities with an inflammatory reaction, mediators of the infla…
In order to study the hormonal control mechanisms of cervical maturation, we investigated cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors-induced changes in the distribution of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in pregnant Wistar rat uterine cervices a…
To study the role of prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in uterine tumors, pieces of endometrial cancer (n = 12) and leiomyomas (n = 12) were incubated in vitro, and the productions of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1a (6-keto-PGF1a, a hy…
Products of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism were estimated in the cul-de-sac fluid from patients with endometriosis, pelvic adhesions and normal laparoscopic examinations, with and without chronic…
Effects of prostaglandins on the production of collagenase by rabbit uterine cervical fibroblasts were investigated. Exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and PGF2 alpha significantly stimulated the production of collagenase in a dose dependent…
The effects of four medical treatments have been assessed on menstrual blood loss (MBL) and endometrial prostaglandin (PG) concentrations in 30 women with objectively confirmed menorrhagia. Patients were randomly treated with danazol, 200 m…
Although there is considerable evidence that prostaglandins (PGs) are involved in the decidual cell reaction in rats, which PGs are involved is uncertain. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that 6-keto-PGE1 is involved. T…
The effect of cupric ions on the human uterus and the involvement of prostaglandins (PGs) in mediating this effect was studied by recording of isometric contractions of isolated myometrial strips and pieces of uterine arteries, and by intra…
Specimens of human myometrium (isthmus and fundus) freshly obtained at hysterectomy were immediately transferred in ice cold Tyrode solution and placed in superfusion chambers. Spontaneous contractions were recorded, the effluent of the myo…
Human proliferative and secretory endometrium from normal women and from menorrhagic patients was maintained in culture for up to 24 h in the presence of [3H]-arachidonic acid (3H-AA). This prostaglandin (PG) precursor was incorporated into…
In eight nulliparous women with severe primary dysmenorrhoea, intrauterine pressure was recorded on the first day of menstruation before and after administration of diflunisal 1000 mg. Uterine activity was significantly decreased in all pat…
The effect of corticosterone (CC, 0.4 and 1 microgram/ml) and of hydrocortisone (HC, 20 and 40 micrograms/ml) on the spontaneous motility and on prostaglandin (PG) generation in the uterus from ovariectomized rats, was studied. Both concent…
An in situ model for studying factors related to dysmenorrhea and for evaluating drugs for their inhibitory effects on uterine contractility induced by arachidonic acid and prostaglandins has been developed. Intravenous administration of ar…
Uterine cervix tissue, obtained from nonpregnant fertile women undergoing hysterectomy, was mechanically chopped into 1 mm thick slices and incubated in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer containing 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (0.03-10 microgram/ml) and…
Two cases of ruptured uterus are presented following attempted induction of midtrimester abortion using intraamniotic prostaglandin E2 and augmentation with other oxytocic agents. With continued uterine stimulation the diagnosis of rupture …
Variations in the spontaneous contractile activity during 6 hours following isolation of uterine horns from proestrus, metestrus and spayed rats, were explored. In estrus and metestrus preparations the contractions declined during 60 min an…