The change of LTB4 and 5-LO during pregnancy

Abstract

The changes of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in the serum and the 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) in the decidua in different stages of gestation period were investigated. The ELISA double antibody sandwich method was used to detect the concentration of LTB4 in the serum in 21 cases and its levels of the different stages of pregnancy were analyzed. The real-time PCR method was used to detect the mRNA expression level of 5-LO in the decidua tissue of 20 healthy women in early pregnancy and 21 healthy women in third trimester and its levels in the two stages of pregnancy were compared. There were significantly different in the concentration of LTB4 in the serum during the four stages of healthy pregnancy. There were also markedly differences in the mRNA expression of 5-LO in the decidua during the two stages of healthy pregnancy. After pregnancy, the concentration of LTB4 in the serum of the subjects in early pregnancy and second trimester decreased, while in third trimester, its level increased. And after pregnancy, its level decreased. The 5-LO mRNA expression in the decidua in third trimester was obviously higher than the early pregnancy group. The changes of LTB4 concentration in serum and the mRNA expression level of 5-LO in decidua may play an important role in the success and maintenance of a healthy pregnancy.