Poore KR, Young IR, Hirst JJ. Efficacy of the selective prostaglandin synthase type 2 inhibitor nimesulide in blocking basal prostaglandin production and delaying glucocorticoid-induced premature labor in sheep.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;
180:1244-53. [PMID:
10329885 DOI:
10.1016/s0002-9378(99)70624-1]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of selective prostaglandin synthase type 2 inhibitors on basal prostaglandin concentrations in the fetal and maternal circulations and on the labor-associated increase in prostaglandin production in sheep.
STUDY DESIGN
The effects of maternal nimesulide (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg) and 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) administration were examined (n = 5) at 134 +/- 1 days' gestation. At 138 days' gestation premature labor was induced by fetal dexamethasone infusion (1 mg/d). Ewes were treated with either vehicle or nimesulide infusion (20 mg. d-1. kg-1, n = 5 per group).
RESULTS
Nimesulide and 6-methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid decreased basal prostaglandin production in a concentration-dependent manner. Delivery of nimesulide-treated ewes was delayed by >/=17 hours with respect to that of control ewes (53.9 +/- 2.6 hours). In 2 nimesulide-treated ewes labor did not progress to delivery despite membrane rupture. The increase in prostaglandin concentrations usually seen during dexamethasone-induced labor was abolished in nimesulide-treated ewes and also in their fetuses.
CONCLUSIONS
Highly selective inhibitors of prostaglandin endoperoxidase H synthase 2 may be required to spare fetal prostaglandin production and limit potential side effects during the suppression of preterm labor.
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