Relation Between Expression Of COX-2 In Amnion And Labor Onset And The Effects Of COX-2 Inhibitors On Myometrium Movement

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the up-regulating COX-2 in amnion on labor onset.METHODS: 24 examples from amnion tissue are divided into three groups: premature delivery and nonlabor (group A), mature delivery and nonlabor (group B), mature delivery and labor (group C). The amnion tissue obtained is cultured, then we examine the COX-2 expression in different groups by immunohistochemistry assay and the PGE2 concentration of supernatants by ELISA. After adding COX-2 inhibitor (Meloxicam), the changes of COX-2 expression and the concentration of PGE2 are examined.RESULTS: The expression of COX-2 and the concentration of PGE2 increase by degrees in group A,B,C. There are significant differences between group C and group A or B. But there is no significant difference between group A and B. CONCLUSION: The up-regulating COX-2 expression in amnion may increase the concentration of PGE2, then cause myometrial strips to contract, which may be the cause of labor onset. COX-2 inhibitors can decline COX-2 expression and PGE2 concentration, which inhibits contration of myometrial strips and delays labor onset .