Effects of neutrophil chemotactic factors on cervical ripening
Maradny, E.E.; Kanayama, N.; Halim, A.; Maehara, K.; Sumimoto, K.; Terao, T.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics and Gynecology 22(1): 76-85
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0390-6663 PMID: 7736647 Document Number: 451424
Our aim was to study the effects of infection mediated by bacterial endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides LPS) and bacterial substrate (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine FMLP) on pathological cervical ripening, and compare their effects with the normal physiological mediator interleukin-8 (IL-8). Twenty non-pregnant rabbits were treated vaginally either by placebo, LPS, FMLP or IL-8 for 3 successive days. Water concentration was measured. Neutrophils were counted in 5 random fields of each specimen. Collagen and glycosaminoglycan concentrations were assessed histologically by using picrosirius red and alcian blue staining and optical density was calculated. LPS FMLP as well as IL-8 can induce cervical ripening. Water concentration was found to be significantly increased in these groups (p < 0.0001). Also, significant numbers of neutrophils were found to accumulate in the connective tissue of these cervices (p < 0.0001). Collagen concentration was significantly decreased in the cervices treated by LPS, FMLP and IL-8 (p < 0.0001). Glycosaminoglycan concentration was significantly increased in cervices treated by LPS, FMLI as well as IL-8 (p < 0.0001, 0.006 and 0.001 respectively). LPS, FMLP and IL-8 stimulate cervical ripening in non-pregnant rabbits. This ripening was mediated through the accumulated neutrophils in the connective tissue. IL-8 has a physiological type effect to induce ripening of the cervix.