Stimulation of prostaglandin production from intact human fetal membranes by bacteria and bacterial products

The addition of live or sonicated Escherichia coli, or endotoxin from E. coli increased the release of prostaglandins (PG) on both sides of intact human fetal membranes after 24 h of incubation, indicating that live bacteria mere not required to activate prostaglandin production. Time-course studies showed that the levels of PGE(2) and PGF(2 alpha) on the fetal side of the membrane were increased 6 h after the addition of endotoxin, whereas levels on the maternal side increased within 1-2 h. These changes were independent of the side to which the endotoxin was added, indicating that a stimulatory factor passes through the fetal membranes. This factor is not endotoxin, which did not cross the membranes, and further studies are required to identify this endogenous stimulus. Prostaglandin metabolite levels were either unaffected or increased by endotoxin, indicating that the main effect is at the level of increased prostaglandin biosynthesis rather than decreased metabolism. (C) 1998 W. B. Saunders Company Ltd.