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Zurfluh L, Duvaud L, Inci N, Potterat O, Simões-Wüst AP, Mosbacher J. Bryophyllum pinnatum Inhibits Oxytocin and Vasopressin Signaling in Myometrial Cells. PLANTA MEDICA 2024; 90:757-765. [PMID: 38599625 DOI: 10.1055/a-2303-9608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The medicinal plant Bryophyllum pinnatum was previously shown to block oxytocin (OT)-induced signals in myometrial cells, consistent with its tocolytic effect observed in patients. OT activates not only OT receptors but also V1A receptors, two receptors with high receptor homology that are both expressed in the myometrium and play a crucial role in myometrial contraction signaling. We aimed to study the molecular pharmacology of B. pinnatum herbal preparations using specific receptor ligands, the human myometrial cell line hTERT-C3, and cell lines expressing recombinant human OT and V1A receptors.We found that press juice from B. pinnatum (BPJ) inhibits both OT- and vasopressin (AVP)-induced intracellular calcium increases in hTERT-C3 myometrial cells. In additional assays performed with cells expressing recombinant receptors, BPJ also inhibited OT and V1A receptor-mediated signals with a similar potency (IC50 about 0.5 mg/mL). We further studied endogenous OT- and AVP-sensitive receptors in hTERT-C3 cells and found that OT and AVP stimulated those receptors with similar potency (EC50 of ~ 1 nM), suggesting expression of both receptor subtypes. This interpretation was corroborated by the antagonist potencies of atosiban and relcovaptan that we found. However, using qPCR, we almost exclusively found expression of OT receptors suggesting a pharmacological difference between recombinant OT receptors and native receptors expressed in hTERT-C3 cells.In conclusion, we show that B. pinnatum inhibits both OT and AVP signaling, which may point beyond its tocolytic effects to other indications involving a disbalance in the vasopressinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Zurfluh
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lauriane Duvaud
- Institute of Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Nejla Inci
- Institute of Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Olivier Potterat
- Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ana Paula Simões-Wüst
- Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Mosbacher
- Institute of Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, Muttenz, Switzerland
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Nachum Z, Ganor Paz Y, Massalha M, Wated M, Harel N, Yefet E. Vaginal Progesterone for Pregnancy Prolongation After Arrested Preterm Labor: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2419894. [PMID: 38976270 PMCID: PMC11231798 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Women with arrested preterm labor (APTL) are at very high risk for spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD), the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. To date, no maintenance therapy has been found to be effective for pregnancy prolongation. A few clinical trials with considerable methodological limitations have demonstrated some efficacy for 400 mg vaginal micronized progesterone (VMP) in women with APTL. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of daily 400 mg VMP for the prolongation of pregnancy after APTL. Design, Setting, and Participants This randomized clinical trial was conducted between December 19, 2018, and February 27, 2023, in 3 university-affiliated medical centers in Israel. Participants included women with singleton and twin pregnancies after APTL following tocolysis at 24 weeks 0 days to 34 weeks 0 days' gestation. Women with a history of preterm delivery or asymptomatic cervical shortening in the current pregnancy were excluded. Interventions Participants were randomly allocated to receive VMP 200 mg twice a day or no treatment until 36 weeks 6 days' gestation. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end points were mean number of days from study enrollment to delivery and the rate of SPTD prior to 37 weeks' gestation. Results A total of 129 participants were enrolled (65 in the VMP group and 64 in the no-treatment group). Mean (SD) age was 27.6 (5.1) years. Between the VMP and no-treatment groups, there was no difference in pregnancy prolongation (mean [SD], 40.0 [17.8] vs 37.4 [20.3] days; P = .44) and the rate of SPTD (16 [25%] vs 19 [30%]; relative risk, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.5-1.5; P = .52). In twin pregnancies, including 12 and 15 pairs in the VMP and no-treatment groups, respectively, VMP prolonged pregnancy (mean [SD], 43.7 [18.1] vs 26.1 [15.2] days; P = .02), postponed the delivery week (36.5 [1.4] vs 34.7 [2.2] weeks; P = .01), shortened the length of stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (4.9 [10.6] vs 13.2 [18.5] days; P = .03) and overall hospital stay (8.3 [9.6] vs 15.1 [17.2] days; P = .03), and was associated with a higher birth weight (2444 [528] vs 2018 [430] g; P = .01). Conclusions and Relevance These findings show that VMP given in a dosage of 200 mg twice a day following APTL is not an effective treatment to prolong pregnancy or prevent SPTD. However, VMP demonstrated beneficial effects in twin pregnancies, warranting further investigation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02430233.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohar Nachum
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Yael Ganor Paz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital, Ashdod, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Manal Massalha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
- Ruth and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion–Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Malak Wated
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel
| | - Noa Harel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzafon Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
| | - Enav Yefet
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tzafon Medical Center, Poriya, Israel
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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Lopez TE, Zhang H, Bouysse E, Neiers F, Ye XY, Garrido C, Wendremaire M, Lirussi F. A pivotal role for the IL-1β and the inflammasome in preterm labor. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4234. [PMID: 38378749 PMCID: PMC10879161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54507-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
During labor, monocytes infiltrate massively the myometrium and differentiate into macrophages secreting high levels of reactive oxygen species and of pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e. IL-1β), leading to myometrial contraction. Although IL-1β is clearly implicated in labor, its function and that of the inflammasome complex that cleaves the cytokine in its active form, has never been studied on steps preceding contraction. In this work, we used our model of lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm labor to highlight their role. We demonstrated that IL-1β was secreted by the human myometrium during labor or in presence of infection and was essential for myometrial efficient contractions as its blockage with an IL-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra) or a neutralizing antibody completely inhibited the induced contractions. We evaluated the implication of the inflammasome on myometrial contractions and differentiation stages of labor onset. We showed that the effects of macrophage-released IL-1β in myometrial cell transactivation were blocked by inhibition of the inflammasome, suggesting that the inflammasome by producing IL-1β was essential in macrophage/myocyte crosstalk during labor. These findings provide novel innovative approaches in the management of preterm labor, specifically the use of an inflammasome inhibitor to block the precursor stages of labor before the acquisition of the contractile phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Lopez
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - H Zhang
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - E Bouysse
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - F Neiers
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - X Y Ye
- School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Garrido
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy, 21000, Dijon, France
- Cancer Center George-François Leclerc, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - M Wendremaire
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Burgundy, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - Frédéric Lirussi
- INSERM U1231, Labex LIPSTIC and Label of Excellence from la Ligue Nationale Contre le Cancer, 21000, Dijon, France.
- Laboratory of Pharmacology-Toxicology, Platform PACE, University Hospital Besançon, 25000, Besançon, France.
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France.
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Manouchehri E, Makvandi S, Razi M, Sahebari M, Larki M. Efficient administration of a combination of nifedipine and sildenafil citrate versus only nifedipine on clinical outcomes in women with threatened preterm labor: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Pediatr 2024; 24:106. [PMID: 38341578 PMCID: PMC10858564 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-024-04588-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm labor (PTL) is a common and serious pregnancy disorder that can cause long-term neurological issues in the infant. There are conflicting studies concerning whether sildenafil citrate (SC) reduces preterm labor complications. Therefore, the meta-analysis aimed to examine the clinical outcomes in women with threatened PTL who received nifedipine plus SC therapy versus only nifedipine. METHODS For the original articles, six databases were searched using relevant keywords without restriction on time or language until January 13, 2024. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB) and the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS) were both used to assess the risk of bias in randomized and non-randomized studies, and GRADE determined the quality of our evidence. Meta-analysis of all data was carried out using Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.1. RESULTS Seven studies with mixed quality were included in the meta-analysis. The study found that combining nifedipine and SC resulted in more prolongation of pregnancy (MD = 6.99, 95% CI: 5.32, 8.65, p < 0.00001), a lower rate of delivery in the 1st to 3rd days after hospitalization (RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.76, p < 0.00001), a higher birth weight (252.48 g vs. nifedipine alone, p = 0.02), and the risk ratio of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was significantly lower (RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.76, p < 0.00001) compared to nifidepine alone. The evidence was high for prolongation of pregnancy, delivery rate 24-72 h after admission, and NICU admission, but low for newborn birth weight. CONCLUSIONS Given the effectiveness of SC plus nifedipine in increased prolongation of pregnancy and birth weight, lower delivery in the 1st to 3rd days after hospitalization, and NICU admission, Gynecologists and obstetricians are suggested to consider this strategy for PTL management, although additional article rigor is required to improve the quality of the evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Manouchehri
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Somayeh Makvandi
- Menopause Andropause Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mahdieh Razi
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Sahebari
- Rheumatic Diseases Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mona Larki
- Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
- Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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Williams MJ, Vogel JP, Gallos ID, Ramson JA, Chou D, Oladapo OT. The use of network meta-analysis in updating WHO living maternal and perinatal health recommendations. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013109. [PMID: 38084476 PMCID: PMC10711830 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Drawing on two recent examples of WHO living guidelines in maternal and perinatal health, this paper elucidates a pragmatic, stepwise approach to using network meta-analysis (NMA) in guideline development in the presence of multiple treatment options. NMA has important advantages. These include the ability to compare multiple interventions in a single coherent analysis, provide direct estimates of the relative effects of all available interventions, infer indirect effect estimates for interventions not directly compared and generate rankings of the available treatment options. It can be difficult to harness these advantages in the face of a lack of current guidance on using NMA evidence in guideline development, with several challenges emerging. Challenges include the choice of conceptual approach, the volume and complexity of the evidence, the contribution of treatment rankings, and the fact that the preferable treatment is not always obvious. This paper describes a layered approach to resolving these challenges, which supports systematic guideline decision-making and development of trustworthy clinical guidelines when multiple treatment options are available.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joshua P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ioannis D Gallos
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jenny A Ramson
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Doris Chou
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olufemi T Oladapo
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Sveiven M, Gassman A, Rosenberg J, Chan M, Boniface J, O’Donoghue AJ, Laurent LC, Hall DA. A dual-binding magnetic immunoassay to predict spontaneous preterm birth. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1256267. [PMID: 37790251 PMCID: PMC10542577 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1256267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Complications posed by preterm birth (delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy) are a leading cause of newborn morbidity and mortality. The previous discovery and validation of an algorithm that includes maternal serum protein biomarkers, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 4 (IBP4), with clinical factors to predict preterm birth represents an opportunity for the development of a widely accessible point-of-care assay to guide clinical management. Toward this end, we developed SHBG and IBP4 quantification assays for maternal serum using giant magnetoresistive (GMR) sensors and a self-normalizing dual-binding magnetic immunoassay. The assays have a picomolar limit of detections (LOD) with a relatively broad dynamic range that covers the physiological level of the analytes as they change throughout gestation. Measurement of serum from pregnant donors using the GMR assays was highly concordant with those obtained using a clinical mass spectrometry (MS)-based assay for the same protein markers. The MS assay requires capitally intense equipment and highly trained operators with a few days turnaround time, whereas the GMR assays can be performed in minutes on small, inexpensive instruments with minimal personnel training and microfluidic automation. The potential for high sensitivity, accuracy, and speed of the GMR assays, along with low equipment and personnel requirements, make them good candidates for developing point-of-care tests. Rapid turnaround risk assessment for preterm birth would enable patient testing and counseling at the same clinic visit, thereby increasing the timeliness of recommended interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Sveiven
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Gassman
- Sera Prognostics, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Joshua Rosenberg
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Matthew Chan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jay Boniface
- Sera Prognostics, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Anthony J. O’Donoghue
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Louise C. Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Drew A. Hall
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Prasath A, Aronoff N, Chandrasekharan P, Diggikar S. Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate and adverse gastrointestinal outcomes in Preterm infants-a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Perinatol 2023; 43:1087-1100. [PMID: 37391507 DOI: 10.1038/s41372-023-01710-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To evaluate the effect of antenatal magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) on mortality and morbidity outcomes related to the gastrointestinal system (GI) in preterm infants. METHODS Data sources: A systematic literature search was conducted in November 2022. PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full Text (EBSCOhost), Embase (Elsevier), and CENTRAL (Ovid) were searched. There were 6695 references. After deduplication, 4332 remained. Ninety-nine full-text articles were assessed and forty four articles were included in the final analysis. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials and observational studies that evaluated at least one of the pre-specified outcomes were included. Preterm infants whose mothers were given antenatal MgSO4 were included and whose mothers did not receive antenatal MgSO4 were the comparators. The main outcomes and measures were: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) (stage ≥ 2), surgical NEC, spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP), feeding intolerance, time to reach full feeds, and GI-associated mortality. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS A random-effects model meta-analysis was performed to yield pooled OR and its 95% CI for each outcome due to expected heterogeneity in the studies. The analysis for each predefined outcome was performed separately for adjusted and unadjusted comparisons. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality. The risk of bias was assessed using elements of the Cochrane Collaboration's tool 2.0 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS), respectively. The study findings were reported as per PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS A total of thirty-eight NRS and six RCTs involving 51,466 preterm infants were included in the final analysis. There were no increased odds of stage ≥2 NEC, (NRS : n = 45,524, OR: 0.95; 95% CI: 0.84-1.08, I2- 5% & RCT's: n = 5205 OR: 1.00; 95% CI: 0.89-1.12, I2- 0%), SIP (n = 34,186, OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 0.94-1.58, I2-30%), feeding intolerance (n = 414, OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.64-1.76, I2-12%) in infants exposed to antenatal MgSO4. On the contrary, the incidence of surgical NEC was significantly lower in MgSO4 exposure infants (n = 29,506 OR:0.74; 95% CI: 0.62-0.90, ARR: 0.47%). Studies assessing the effect on GI-related mortality were limited to make any conceivable conclusion. The certainty of evidence (CoE) for all outcomes was adjudged as 'very low' as per GRADE. CONCLUSION Antenatal magnesium sulfate did not increase the incidence of gastrointestinal-related morbidities or mortality in preterm infants. With the current evidence concerns, regarding the adverse effects of MgSO4 administration leading to NEC/SIP or GI-related mortality in preterm infants should not be a hurdle in its routine use in antenatal mothers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Prasath
- Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nell Aronoff
- University Libraries, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Arrowsmith S. Multiple pregnancies, the myometrium and the role of mechanical factors in the timing of labour. Curr Res Physiol 2023; 6:100105. [PMID: 38107788 PMCID: PMC10724211 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2023.100105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple pregnancy remains a relatively common occurrence, but it is associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes for the mother and her babies and presents unique challenges to healthcare providers. This review will briefly discuss multiple pregnancies, their aetiology and their problems, including preterm birth, before reviewing the processes leading to normal labour onset and how they may be different in a multiple pregnancy. The mechanisms by which mechanical factors i.e., uterine distension or 'stretch' contribute to uterine excitability and the timing of labour onset will be the major focus, and how over distention may pre-dispose multiple pregnancies to preterm birth. This includes current thinking around the role of mechano (stretch) sensitive ion channels in the myometrium and changes to other important regulators of excitability and contraction which have been identified from studies using in vitro and in vivo models of uterine stretch. Physiological stimuli arising from the fetus(es) and placenta(s) will also be discussed. In reviewing what we know about the myometrium in multiple pregnancy in humans, the focus will be on twin pregnancy as it is the most common type of multiple pregnancy and has been the most studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
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Cao X, Zhou X, Chen S, Xu C. Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals the responses of the maternal circulation and maternal-fetal interface to LPS-induced preterm birth in mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1213902. [PMID: 37649476 PMCID: PMC10464907 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1213902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Term birth (TB) and preterm birth (PTB) are characterized by uterine contractions, rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane, decidual activation, and other physiological and pathological changes. In this study, we hypothesize that inflammation can cause changes in mRNA expression and metabolic stability in the placenta, decidua, chorioamniotic membrane, uterus and peripheral blood, ultimately leading to PTB. Methods To comprehensively assess the effects of inflammation on mRNA expression and metabolite production in different tissues of pregnancy, we used a mouse PTB model by intraperitoneally injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics studies. Results Our analysis identified 152 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 8 common differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in the placenta, decidua, chorioamniotic membrane, uterus, and peripheral blood, or placenta and uterus after LPS injection, respectively. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed significant enrichment of the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway (mmu04621), TNF signaling pathway (mmu04668), IL-17 signaling pathway (mmu04657), and NF-kappa B signaling pathway in the transcriptomics of different tissues, and Hormone synthesis, Lysosome, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and Protein digest and absorption pathway in metabolomics. Moreover, we found that several upstream regulators and master regulators, including STAT1, STAT3, and NFKB1, were altered after exposure to inflammation in the different tissues. Interaction network analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics DEGs and DEMs also revealed functional changes in mice intraperitoneally injected with LPS. Conclusions Overall, our study identified significant and biologically relevant alterations in the placenta, decidua, chorioamniotic membrane, uterus, peripheral blood transcriptome and the placenta and uterus metabolome in mice exposed to LPS. Thus, a comprehensive analysis of different pregnancy tissues in mice intraperitoneally injected with LPS by combining transcriptomics and metabolomics may help to systematically understand the local and systemic changes associated with PTB caused by inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianling Cao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuanyou Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Songchang Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenming Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Research Units of Embryo Original Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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McDougall ARA, Hastie R, Goldstein M, Tuttle A, Ammerdorffer A, Gülmezoglu AM, Vogel JP. New medicines for spontaneous preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management: landscape analysis of the medicine development pipeline. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:525. [PMID: 37464260 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05842-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few medicines in clinical use for managing preterm labor or preventing spontaneous preterm birth from occurring. We previously developed two target product profiles (TPPs) for medicines to prevent spontaneous preterm birth and manage preterm labor. The objectives of this study were to 1) analyse the research and development pipeline of medicines for preterm birth and 2) compare these medicines to target product profiles for spontaneous preterm birth to identify the most promising candidates. METHODS Adis Insight, Pharmaprojects, WHO international clinical trials registry platform (ICTRP), PubMed and grant databases were searched to identify candidate medicines (including drugs, dietary supplements and biologics) and populate the Accelerating Innovations for Mothers (AIM) database. This database was screened for all candidates that have been investigated for preterm birth. Candidates in clinical development were ranked against criteria from TPPs, and classified as high, medium or low potential. Preclinical candidates were categorised by product type, archetype and medicine subclass. RESULTS The AIM database identified 178 candidates. Of the 71 candidates in clinical development, ten were deemed high potential (Prevention: Omega-3 fatty acid, aspirin, vaginal progesterone, oral progesterone, L-arginine, and selenium; Treatment: nicorandil, isosorbide dinitrate, nicardipine and celecoxib) and seven were medium potential (Prevention: pravastatin and lactoferrin; Treatment: glyceryl trinitrate, retosiban, relcovaptan, human chorionic gonadotropin and Bryophyllum pinnatum extract). 107 candidates were in preclinical development. CONCLUSIONS This analysis provides a drug-agnostic approach to assessing the potential of candidate medicines for spontaneous preterm birth. Research should be prioritised for high-potential candidates that are most likely to meet the real world needs of women, babies, and health care professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie R A McDougall
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Roxanne Hastie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Heidelberg, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Joshua P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Van Noorden R. Medicine is plagued by untrustworthy clinical trials. How many studies are faked or flawed? Nature 2023; 619:454-458. [PMID: 37464079 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-02299-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
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12
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Siricilla S, Hansen CJ, Rogers JH, De D, Simpson CL, Waterson AG, Sulikowski GA, Crockett SL, Boatwright N, Reese J, Paria BC, Newton J, Herington JL. Arrest of mouse preterm labor until term delivery by combination therapy with atosiban and mundulone, a natural product with tocolytic efficacy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.06.543921. [PMID: 37333338 PMCID: PMC10274706 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.06.543921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of FDA-approved tocolytics for the management of preterm labor (PL). In prior drug discovery efforts, we identified mundulone and its analog mundulone acetate (MA) as inhibitors of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -regulated myometrial contractility. In this study, we probed the tocolytic and therapeutic potential of these small molecules using myometrial cells and tissues obtained from patients receiving cesarean deliveries, as well as a mouse model of PL resulting in preterm birth. In a phenotypic assay, mundulone displayed greater efficacy in the inhibition of intracellular-Ca 2+ from myometrial cells; however, MA showed greater potency and uterine-selectivity, based IC 50 and E max values between myometrial cells compared to aorta vascular smooth muscle cells, a major maternal off-target site of current tocolytics. Cell viability assays revealed that MA was significantly less cytotoxic. Organ bath and vessel myography studies showed that only mundulone exerted concentration-dependent inhibition of ex vivo myometrial contractions and that neither mundulone or MA affected vasoreactivity of ductus arteriosus, a major fetal off-target of current tocolytics. A high-throughput combination screen of in vitro intracellular Ca 2+ -mobilization identified that mundulone exhibits synergism with two clinical-tocolytics (atosiban and nifedipine), and MA displayed synergistic efficacy with nifedipine. Of these synergistic combinations, mundulone + atosiban demonstrated a favorable in vitro therapeutic index (TI)=10, a substantial improvement compared to TI=0.8 for mundulone alone. The ex vivo and in vivo synergism of mundulone and atosiban was substantiated, yielding greater tocolytic efficacy and potency on isolated mouse and human myometrial tissue and reduced preterm birth rates in a mouse model of PL compared to each single agent. Treatment with mundulone 5hrs after mifepristone administration (and PL induction) dose-dependently delayed the timing of delivery. Importantly, mundulone in combination with atosiban (FR 3.7:1, 6.5mg/kg + 1.75mg/kg) permitted long-term management of PL after induction with 30 μg mifepristone, allowing 71% dams to deliver viable pups at term (> day 19, 4-5 days post-mifepristone exposure) without any visible maternal and fetal consequences. Collectively, these studies provide a strong foundation for the future development of mundulone as a stand-alone single- and/or combination-tocolytic therapy for management of PL.
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13
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Stock SJ, Aiken CE. Barriers to progress in pregnancy research: How can we break through? Science 2023; 380:150-153. [PMID: 37053324 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf9347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Healthy pregnancies are fundamental to healthy populations, but very few therapies to improve pregnancy outcomes are available. Fundamental concepts-for example, placentation or the mechanisms that control the onset of labor-remain understudied and incompletely understood. A key issue is that research efforts must capture the complexity of the tripartite maternal-placental-fetal system, the dynamics of which change throughout gestation. Studying pregnancy disorders is complicated by the difficulty of creating maternal-placental-fetal interfaces in vitro and the uncertain relevance of animal models to human pregnancy. However, newer approaches include trophoblast organoids to model the developing placenta and integrated data-science approaches to study longer-term outcomes. These approaches provide insights into the physiology of healthy pregnancy, which is the first step to identifying therapeutic targets in pregnancy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Stock
- University of Edinburgh Usher Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4UX, UK
- University of Edinburgh MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
- Wellcome Leap In Utero Program, Wellcome Leap Inc., Culver City, CA 90232, USA
| | - Catherine E Aiken
- The Rosie Hospital and NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SW, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science and Medical Research Council Metabolic Diseases Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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14
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Taylor J, Sharp A, Rannard SP, Arrowsmith S, McDonald TO. Nanomedicine strategies to improve therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of preterm birth and future directions. NANOSCALE ADVANCES 2023; 5:1870-1889. [PMID: 36998665 PMCID: PMC10044983 DOI: 10.1039/d2na00834c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates 15 million babies worldwide are born preterm each year, with 1 million infant mortalities and long-term morbidity in survivors. Whilst the past 40 years have provided some understanding in the causes of preterm birth, along with development of a range of therapeutic options, notably prophylactic use of progesterone or uterine contraction suppressants (tocolytics), the number of preterm births continues to rise. Existing therapeutics used to control uterine contractions are restricted in their clinical use due to pharmacological drawbacks such as poor potency, transfer of drugs to the fetus across the placenta and maternal side effects from activity in other maternal systems. This review focuses on addressing the urgent need for the development of alternative therapeutic systems with improved efficacy and safety for the treatment of preterm birth. We discuss the application of nanomedicine as a viable opportunity to engineer pre-existing tocolytic agents and progestogens into nanoformulations, to improve their efficacy and address current drawbacks to their use. We review different nanomedicines including liposomes, lipid-based carriers, polymers and nanosuspensions highlighting where possible, where these technologies have already been exploited e.g. liposomes, and their significance in improving the properties of pre-existing therapeutic agents within the field of obstetrics. We also highlight where active pharmaceutical agents (APIs) with tocolytic properties have been used for other clinical indications and how these could inform the design of future therapeutics or be repurposed to diversify their application such as for use in preterm birth. Finally we outline and discuss the future challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Taylor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
| | - Andrew Sharp
- Harris-Wellbeing Preterm Birth Research Centre, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Liverpool Women's Hospital, University of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L8 7SS UK
| | - Steve P Rannard
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
- Centre of Excellence in Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT), University of Liverpool Liverpool L7 3NY UK
| | - Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University Chester Street Manchester M1 5GD UK
| | - Tom O McDonald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Liverpool Crown Street Liverpool L69 7ZD UK
- Department of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The University of Manchester Manchester M13 9PL UK
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Vogel JP, Ramson J, Darmstadt GL, Qureshi ZP, Chou D, Bahl R, Oladapo OT. Updated WHO recommendations on antenatal corticosteroids and tocolytic therapy for improving preterm birth outcomes. Lancet Glob Health 2022; 10:e1707-e1708. [PMID: 36400080 PMCID: PMC9681658 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00434-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua P Vogel
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
| | - Jennifer Ramson
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Gary L Darmstadt
- Prematurity Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Zahida P Qureshi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Doris Chou
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rajiv Bahl
- Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Olufemi T Oladapo
- UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
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