The specific uptake of radioactivity from (3H)prostaglandin E1 by rat uterus

Prostaglandin (PG) accumulation in vitro by mouse ovaries, oviducts, and uteri

Uteri, ovaries and oviducts from mice were collected at autopsy. Tissue slices were incubated with [3H]-PGE2 in the presence or absence of a large excess (100 fold) of nonradioactive PGE2 using 0.01M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2). Bound and free PGs were separated by a filtration technique. PGE2 accumulation by the uteri was evaluated as a function of incubation time, wet weight of tissues, and reproductive state. The tissue to medium ratio (T/M) was greater than 1.0 for uteri as the time of incubation increased. This suggests the presence of PGE2 binding sites in mouse uterine tissue. Also, PGE2 accumulation was not observed in oviducts or in ovaries.

Uptake and release of 3H prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha in uterine strips isolated from ovariectomized rats. Influence of in vitro progesterone

The accumulation and output of 3H -prostaglandins (PGs), E2 and F2 alpha, into and from uterine strips isolated from ovariectomized rats, either in presence or in absence of exogenous progesterone, were explored. Tissue-to-medium ratio of 3H-counts (T/M-ratio), was determined. The same was done in solutions containing 14C-sucrose. During a 60 min incubation period in a solution containing 3H -PGF2 alpha, a net accumulation of radioactivity was evident in control (no progesterone) uterine slices. The T/M-ratio for 3H-PGF2 alpha, increased with time, reaching maximal values at 45 min. Progesterone (100 ug.ml-1) attenuated the uptake process, as evidenced by stable values of T/M-ratio, as time progressed. On the other hand, control T/M-ratio for 3H-PGE2, although similar to that for 3H -PGF2 alpha, was not influenced by the presence of exogenous progesterone. Regarding labelled PG release from the tissue, it was observed that, during an experimental period of 60 min, most tritium from control slices was released within the first 30 min after incubation with 3H -PGF2 alpha, whereas, following the presence and subsequent removal of exogenous progesterone, the bulk of 3H -released took place at 6-70 min. On the other hand, the release of 3H after an incubation with 3H -PGE2, was also maximal as that for 3H -PGF2, alpha within the first 30 min and resulted not altered after a period of exposure and removal of progesterone. The foregoing results suggest an specific pharmacological effect of progesterone, attenuating the uptake and retarding the outflow of PGF2 alpha, but not that of PGE2, into and from uterine slices of ovariectomized rats. Findings reported herein are discussed in terms of progesterone priming and withdrawal, in relation to PGF2 alpha fluxes in the rat uterus during the sex cycle, as well as in relation to PG binding to tissue receptors.

The abortifacient effect of 16,16-dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester, a new prostaglandin analogue, on mid-trimester pregnancies and long-term follow-up observations

The present clinical trials revealed that 16,16-Dimethyl-trans-delta 2-PGE1 methyl ester in the form of vaginal suppositories is highly effective in inducing mid-trimester termination of pregnancies. It also showed that prior treatment with laminaria and metreurynter may enhance the success rate while reducing the incidence and severity of side effects. It is easy and safe to use clinically, with minimal side effects, and in our series, revealed no deleterious effects on ensuing reproductive physiology. However, the definite mechanism involved in the action of this new analogue to cause myometrial contractions is still not completely understood, and requires further intensive investigation.

Prostaglandin E1 high affinity binding sites of rat thymocytes. Specificity and blockade by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and localization in a plasma membrane-enriched fraction

Great specificity is demonstrated for the prostaglandin E1 high affinity binding sites of rat thymocytes. Whereas prostaglandin E2 has the same affinity as prostaglandin E1, 13 other prostaglandin derivatives and antagonists are bound with 2-1000 times smaller affinities. 50% inhibition of the high affinity binding of prostaglandin E1 to rat thymocytes is demonstrated for three non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, indomethacin (3.6. 10(-5) M), salicylic acid (2.9. 10(-3) M) and acetylsalicylic acid (2.10(-2) M). The low affinity binding of prostaglandin E1 is enhanced by the same concentration of indomethacin, however, to a lesser degree and more variable than the inhibition of the high affinity binding of prostaglandin E1. Like intact cells a 50-fold purified plasma membrane fraction, isolated from a homogenate of rat thymocytes, shows reversible high affinity binding of prostaglandin E1 as well as irreversible binding of unidentified tritiated compounds. The binding data are compatible with a localization in the plasma membrane of high affinity sites for reversible binding with a considerably higher dissociation constant than that found for whole cells. Their identity remains to be demonstrated.

Prostaglandin E1 specific binding in rhesus myometrium

Myometrial low speed supernatant prepared from non-pregnant rhesus uteri was incubated with 3H-Prostaglandin (PG)E1 with or without addition of unlabelled prostaglandins. The uptake of 3H-PGE1 was inhibited in a dose dependent fashion by PGE2greater thanPGE1greater thanPGA1greater thanpgf2alpha=PGA1greater thanPGB1=PGB2greater than or equal toPGD2. PGE1 metabolites inhibited 3H-PGE1 binding in the following order: 13, 14-dihydro-PGE1greater than13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE1=15-keto-PGE1. The specific binding of 3H-PGE1 and 3H-PGF2alpha was similarly affected by the temperature and time of incubation. Equilibrium binding constants determined using rhesus uteri obtained during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle indicate the presence of high affinity PGE1 binding sites with an average (n=3) apparent dissociation constant of 2.2 X 10(-9)M and a lower affinity PGE1 binding site with a Kd approximately equal to 1 X 10(-8)M. No high affinity - low capacity 3H-PGF2alpha sites could be demonstrated. Relative uterine stimulating potencies of some natural prostaglandins and prostaglandin analogs tested after acute intravenous administration in mid-pregnant rhesus monkeys corresponded with the PGE1 binding inhibition of the respective compound. The uterine stimulating potencies of the prostaglandin analogs tested were: (15S)-15-methyl-PGE2=16,16-dimethyl-PGE2greater than17-phenyl-18,19,20-trinor-PGE2greater than16 phenoxy-17,18,19,20-tetranor-PGF2alpha=PGE2=PGE1=(15S)-15-methyl-PGF2alpha greater than PGF2alpha.

Prostaglandin specific binding in hamster myometrial low speed supernatant

A charcoal adsorption method was developed to measure specific prostaglandin binding in low speed supernates of hamster myometrial homogenates. This method was used to characterize and quantitate PGE-1-specific binding. The equilibrium binding constants and the concentration of specific PGE-1 binding sites were determined during the hamster estrous cycle. The apparent association constant for 12 different preparations was 1.16 plus or minus 0.08 times 10-9M-1. The concentration of PGE-1 specific binding sites was significantly higher on days 2 and 3 of the estrous cycle that it was on days 1 or 4. The competition for PGE-1 binding sites by PGE-2, PGF-2alpha, tpga-1 and various PGE-1 metabolites and derivatives was measured in hamster myometrial homogenates. Relative affinities of the natural prostaglandins for the PGE-1 binding sites, calculated by parallel line assay, were: PGE-2 greater than PGE-1 greater than PGA-1 greater than PGF-2alpha. For PGE-1 metabolites the relative affinities were: PGE-1 greater than 13,14-dihydro-PGE-1 greater than 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGE-1 greater than 15-keto-PGE-1. For the analogs and derivatives the compounds tested ranked as: 16,16-dimethyl-PGE-1 greater than PGE-1 methyl ester greater than 17-phenyl-18,19,20-trinor-PGE-1 greater than 15(S) 15-methyl-PGE-1 methyl ester. Arachidonic acid, bis-homo-gamma-linolenic acid and 7-oxa-13 prostynoic acid had relative affinities greater than 0.1 compared to PGE-1 equal 100. Indomethacin had a relative affinity of 0.4 compared to PGE-1.