B. Carbonne et al., Effects of progesterone on prostaglandin E-2-induced changes in glycosaminoglycan synthesis by human cervical fibroblasts in culture, MOL HUM REP, 6(7), 2000, pp. 661-664
Prostaglandins are known to induce cervical ripening and this effect may be
mediated by an increase in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) concentration. The aim
of this study was to assess the effects of progesterone on prostaglandin E-
2 (PGE(2))-induced changes in GAG synthesis by human cervical cells in cult
ure. Human cervical fibroblasts were obtained by cervical biopsies in hormo
nally active women and cultured. Cells were submitted to an incubation with
progesterone or control medium. A second incubation was then performed wit
h increasing concentrations of PGE(2). GAG synthesis by the cervical cells
was assayed after extraction, by incorporation of [H-3]-glucosamine and [S-
35]-sulphate into GAGs. It was found that progesterone alone induced a dose
-dependent increase in GAG synthesis. After pre-incubation with progesteron
e, PGE(2) further increased [H-3]-glucosamine and [S-35]-sulphate uptake. H
owever, when expressed as percentage of stimulation, the stimulatory effect
of PGE(2) on GAG synthesis was inhibited at high progesterone concentratio
ns. Therefore we concluded that, although high concentrations of progestero
ne increase the overall synthesis of GAG, they may also play a preventative
role against PGE(2)-induced changes in GAG production during pregnancy.