The expression of glutaredoxin is increased in the human cervix in term pregnancy and immediately post-partum, particularly after prostaglandin-induced delivery

Glutaredoxins are glutathione disulphide oxidoreductases catalysing disulph ide reductions via a redox active disulphide. We have examined the presence of glutaredoxin in the human cervix, and its differential expression durin g cervical remodelling in term pregnancy and immediately post-partum as com pared to the non-pregnant state. Cervical biopsies were obtained from 24 te rm-pregnant and 24 post-partal women, of which 10 were taken after spontane ous delivery, 10 after prostaglandin-induced delivery and four after mifepr istone-induced delivery, all obtained within 15 min after delivery. Six non -pregnant women served as controls. The tissues were analysed for the gluta redoxin mRNA levels using a solution hybridization method. Glutaredoxin mRN A was expressed in the human cervix, the level increased greater than or eq ual to2-fold at term pregnancy and immediately postpartum. The level of cer vical glutaredoxin mRNA from prostaglandin E-2-treated women was 3-fold hig her than after spontaneous ripening and delivery. Localization of glutaredo xin was visualized with immunohistochemistry in cervices from two post-part al women, and was compared to that of thioredoxin. We conclude that glutare doxin may be involved in the regulation of cervical ripening in humans, par ticularly in the inflammatory reaction seen during this process. Glutaredox in mRNA levels are up-regulated after prostaglandin treatment, which is eff ective and the most commonly used substance for cervical priming and induct ion of labour.