Js. Pendergraft et al., MODULATORS OF PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN AMNION, Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, 1(2), 1994, pp. 131-134
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of these studies was to determine the effects o
f the essential fatty acid, linoleic acid, and the commonly used non-s
teroidal anti-inflammatory agents, aspirin and acetaminophen, on the r
ate of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by human amnion cells. METHODS:
Amnion cells were isolated from term, normal pregnancies and grown to
confluence. Cells were incubated with control or medium containing 10
0 mu mol/L linoleic acid. Cells were also incubated with control mediu
m or medium containing 10 or 100 mu/mL aspirin or acetaminophen. RESUL
TS: Following an initial delay, amnion cells exposed to linoleic acid
exhibited a significant increase in PGE synthesis. Both aspirin and ac
etaminophen in clinically relevant concentrations had a significant in
hibitory effect on amnion cell PGE synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Linoleic ac
id has a stimulatory effect and aspirin and acetaminophen have an inhi
bitory effect on PGE synthesis in human amnion cells in culture. We sp
eculate that dietary habits, supplement ingestion, and over-the-counte
r drug use may affect amnion cell PG production. In view of the potent
ial importance of intrauterine PG production in normal and abnormal la
bor, further study in this area is indicated.