The effects of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid on human myometrial contractility

Abstract

The effects of the lipoxygenase products of arachidonic acid, 5- and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5- and 12-HETE) and leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4), on the spontaneous contractility of lower uterine segment human myometrial strips obtained prior to labour have been studied in vitro . 5-HETE gave a dose- dependent (10–500ng) increase in both the rate of contractions and overall contractility of myometrial strips while 12-HETE and LTB 4 had no effect at the same concentrations. Prostaglandin F 2 ▪ (50ng) contracted all myometrial strips in a similar pattern to 5-HETE but was approximately 10 times more potent. The effect of 5-HETE may be direct or perhaps indirect via interaction with the cyclo-oxygenase pathway. The findings do not disprove the contention that the onset of parturition may be characterized by a switch in arachidonic acid metabolism in intra-uterine tissues from lipoxygenase to cyclo-oxygenase products.