Endocrine Abstracts

Fetuin-B is an inhibitor of basic calcium phosphate, preventing unwanted calcification. The low level of fetuin could be associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and ectopic microcalcifications in soft tissues and the rupture of the membranes leading to preterm delivery. Our aims were i) to examine the alterations of mRNA expression of the fetuin-B in the late pregnant rat uterus, furthermore ii) to investigate the fetuin-B expression in hormonally- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced preterm labour. iii) Moreover we examined the effect of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on fetuin-B expression.

Changes in fetuin-B mRNA expression were measured by real-time PCR on pregnancy days 18, 20, 21 and 22 in rat uterus and after induction of preterm delivery. From pregnancy day 18 the animals were treated with UDCA (100 mg/kg per day).

The fetuin-B mRNA expression was the highest on days 20 and significantly decreased by last day of pregnancy (day 22). In hormonally-induced preterm labour, the mRNA expression of fetuin-B was markedly reduced similarly to the last day of normal pregnancy. On the other hand, the fetuin-B expression increased in the inflammatory preterm birth induced by LPS.

The pre-treatment with UDCA significantly increased the fetuin-B mRNA level on day 22 and in LPS-induced preterm birth. In contrast, UDCA did not alter the mRNA level in hormonally-induced preterm model.

We suppose that the altered expression of fetuin-B may have importance in the initiation of delivery in rat and may serve as a marker to indicate the possible reason of the preterm birth. Further studies are required to clarify the putative role of FXR agonists in the control of delivery or preterm birth.