M. Winkler et al., Tissue concentrations of endothelial cell adhesion molecules in the lower uterine segment during term parturition, OBSTET GYN, 95(3), 2000, pp. 363-366
Objective: To determine the concentration of endothelial cell adhesion mole
cules in the lower uterine segment during parturition at term.
Methods: We analyzed protein extracts from the lower uterine segments of 38
women who had nonelective cesareans at term. We measured concentrations of
intercellular adhesion molecule-1, endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule
-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and platelet endothelial cell adhesi
on molecule-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Subjects were grouped a
ccording to cervical dilatation (less than 2 cm, n = 10; 2 to less than 4 c
m, n = 9; 4-6 cm, n = 9; more than 6 cm, n = 10) and duration of labor (up
to 6 hours, n = 14; 6-12 hours, n = 10; 12-24 hours, n = 9; longer than 24
hours, n = 5) at the time of cesarean.
Results: The median concentration of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 incr
eased significantly with increasing dilatation (from 2.24 ng/mg total prote
in at less than 2 cm to 6.73 ng/mg at 4-6 cm) and increasing duration of la
bor (from 2.53 ng/mg up to 6 hours to 5.90 ng/mg at 12-24 hours). However,
this study did not have adequate statistical power to identify differences
in concentrations of the other endothelial adhesion molecules.
Conclusion: The results indicate that parturition at term is associated wit
h expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;95:
363-6. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
).