The release of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid by human placental trophoblast is increased in preeclampsia.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that trophoblast produces 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, and its level is elevated in trophoblast from preeclamptic women compared with normal. We also used selective enzymatic inhibitors to determine the relative contributions of 15-lipoxygenase and the two isozymes of prostaglandin H synthase to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels.

Study Design: Cytotrophoblasts isolated from placentas of normal or preeclamptic women were cultured in the presence or absence of enzyme inhibitors.

The expression and activity of prostaglandin H synthase-2 is enhanced in trophoblast from women with preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is associated with altered biosynthesis of vasoactive prostanoids in placental villi. The two isozymes of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) are essential for prostanoid synthesis. We tested the hypothesis that PGHS-2 expression is elevated in trophoblast from preeclamptic women, compared with trophoblast from healthy women.

Aspirin induces increased expression of both prostaglandin H synthase-1 and prostaglandin H synthase-2 in cultured human placental trophoblast.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that aspirin affects trophoblast like other epithelial cells do, by inhibiting prostanoid production, inducing prostaglandin H synthase-2 expression, and enhancing secretion of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid.

Study Design: Cytotrophoblast from placentas (n = 15) of uncomplicated singleton pregnancies were cultured in medium 199 for 4 to 72 hours in the presence or absence of aspirin.

Results: Aspirin (10(-4) M) inhibited (p < 0.

Characterization of the heat shock protein P70 in rat spermatogenic cells.

A number of hsp70-like proteins are associated with developing male germ cells. One of these molecules, P70, is not sensitive to heat stress and is germ cell-specific, and its expression is developmentally regulated. We have characterized the association of the rat P70(rP70) with differentiating germ cells in the testis and with posttesticular sperm.

The effects of cocaine on neutral amino acid uptake by human placental basal membrane vesicles.

Objective: Prior studies have demonstrated that cocaine binds to human placental microvillous membrane vesicles at a single high-affinity site and that both 10 and 500 nmol/L cocaine inhibit sodium-dependent alanine uptake. The purpose of this study was to characterize cocaine binding to human placental basal plasma membrane and to determine the effects of cocaine on basal vesicle uptake of alanine and leucine.

Study Design: Basal vesicles were isolated from the placentas of uncomplicated human pregnancies with no history of cocaine use.