Hydrogen Sulfide Delays LPS-Induced Preterm Birth in Mice via Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

PLoS One. 2016 Apr 1;11(4):e0152838. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152838. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

A major cause of preterm labor in pregnant women is intra-amniotic infection, which is mediated by an inflammatory process. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gaseous transmitter, has been implicated to be involved in inflammatory responses. We sought to investigate whether H2S affects infectious preterm birth using the mouse model of lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced preterm birth. Administration of LPS at 0.4 mg/kg with two injections intraperitoneally (i.p.) on gestational day 14.5 induced preterm labor. LPS significantly increased leukocyte infiltration in uterus, stimulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), CCL2 and CXCL15 in myometrium. Administration of NaHS (i.p.) delayed the onset of labor induced by LPS in a dose-dependent manner. NaHS prevented leukocyte infiltration into intrauterine tissues and inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in myometrium and decreased the levels of these cytokines in maternal circulation. H2S also decreased LPS-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2/ nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways in myometrium. This study provides new in vivo evidence for the roles of H2S in attenuating inflammation, and a potential novel therapeutic strategy for infection-related preterm labor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Hydrogen Sulfide / pharmacology*
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / chemically induced*
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Hydrogen Sulfide

Grants and funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 81170596 & 81270756 (to LG), No. 81370734 (to XN), and 81471479 (to XY); Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipals No. 15PJ1410400 (to LG) and No. 13430722900 (to XN); and Global Alliance for the Prevention of Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS): Preventing Preterm Birth Initiative (to DMO, SC & XN).