Effect of 17-[alpha] hydroxyprogesterone caproate on the production of tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in lipopolysaccharide-treated gravid human myometrial explants.

Objective: To determine whether 17-a hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHPC) alters tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) production and the expression of cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2) in myometrium exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Study Design: Lower segment myometrial biopsies were obtained from non-laboring patients at term. Tissues were cultured in serum-free media with 17-OHPC (1 mM) and LPS (1 mg/ml), either alone or in combination. At 24 h, the production of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and the expression of COX-2 was determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and real-time (RT-PCR). Statistical analysis was performed using non-parametric testing. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Result: 17-OHPC had no effect on TNF-a production and COX-2 expression when compared with untreated myometrial explants (P¼0.61 and P¼0.95). LPS induced production of TNF-a (P¼0.03) and expression of COX-2 (P¼0.02). Treatment with 17-OHPC did not block LPS-induced TNF-a production (P¼0.37) or COX-2 expression (P¼0.12). Conclusion: In this pilot study, 17-OHPC did not affect the production of TNF-a or COX-2 expression in human myometrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]