Reduced platelet aggregation in women after intercourse: a possible role for the cyclooxygenase pathway

Molecules and Prostaglandins Related to Embryo Tolerance

It is generally understood that the entry of semen into the female reproductive tract provokes molecular and cellular changes facilitating conception and pregnancy. We show a broader picture of the participation of prostaglandins in the fertilization, implantation and maintenance of the embryo. A large number of cells and molecules are related to signaling networks, which regulate tolerance to implantation and maintenance of the embryo and fetus. In this work, many of those cells and molecules are analyzed. We focus on platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells involved in embryo tolerance in order to have a wider view of how prostaglandins participate. The combination of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (Nets), uterine innate lymphoid cells (uILC), Treg cells, NK cells, and sex hormones have an important function in immunological tolerance. In both animals and humans, the functions of these cells can be regulated by prostaglandins and soluble factors in seminal plasma to achieve an immunological balance, which maintains fetal-maternal tolerance. Prostaglandins, such as PGI2 and PGE2, play an important role in the suppression of the previously mentioned cells. PGI2 inhibits platelet aggregation, in addition to IL-5 and IL-13 expression in ILC2, and PGE2 inhibits some neutrophil functions, such as chemotaxis and migration processes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis, ROS production, and the formation of extracellular traps, which could help prevent trophoblast injury and fetal loss. The implications are related to fertility in female when seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina or uterus.

Effects of simvastatin-loaded PLGA microspheres on treatment of rats with intervertebral disk degeneration and on 6-K-PGF1α and HIF-1α

Effects of simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres on the treatment of rats with intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) and on 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGF1α) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were investigated. Eighty female rats were selected and randomized into a model group (modeled for IVDD), a treatment group (modeled and treated with simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres), a sham operation group (only operated without excision), and a control group (not treated) (n=20 each). After modeling, 6-K-PGF1α and HIF-1α in the peripheral blood of the rats were, respectively, detected before simvastatin injection (T0), at 2 weeks (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) after simvastatin injection. The bone mineral density (BMD) of L₅ and L₆ was detected by X-ray. The trabecular thickness, number, and separation of the vertebral body were detected. Changes in the sagittal T2-weighted signal of intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus were detected by MRI. There were no differences between the control and sham operation groups in the indices (P>0.050). Compared with those in the model group during the treatment, BMD, 6-K-PGF1α, HIF-1α, and trabecular number in the treatment group significantly increased (P<0.050), while the trabecular separation significantly decreased (P<0.050). The sagittal T2-weighted MRI signal in the model group was the lowest between the four groups (P<0.050). Simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres can improve the BMD of the vertebral body and increase the contents of 6-K-PGF1α and HIF-1α in the treatment of rats with IVDD, so they are important for the clinical treatment of the disease.