Release of prostacyclin (PGI2) from trophoblast in tissue culture: the effect of glucose concentration

It is known that short term cell culture system offers a reliable and reproducible means for measuring placental PGI2 production in vitro, in which factors controlling its production and metabolism can be studied. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of glucose on generation of PGI2 by trophoblast obtained from early pregnancy in short term cell culture. Trophoblast was cultured using the method of Jogee et al and the concentration of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha in culture supernatans was measured by a specific direct radioimmunoassay (New England Nuclear, USA). There was a significant decrease in 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha production by trophoblast cells when incubating with increased glucose concentrations (300 and 600 mg/dl) compared to controls (without glucose). These data show for the first time that high concentrations of glucose inhibit PGI2 production by cultured trophoblast cells obtained from early pregnancy. The implication of these findings for the mechanism of development of congenital anomalies in diabetic pregnant women is discussed.