OBJECTIVE: To determine if lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alters production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or vascular tone in perfused placental cotyledons. METHODS: Control and study cotyledons from nine placentas were perfused for 3 h. Study cotyledons received LPS in concentrations of 0.01 mcg/ml (n = 3), 0.1 mcg/ml (n = 3), or 1.0 mcg/ml (n = 3). Effluents were collected at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min following infusion with LPS. IL-6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Perfusion pressures were recorded at 10-min intervals. Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS: IL-6 production significantly increased over time in both the study and control cotyledons (P = 0.002). LPS treatment did not affect IL-6 production (P = 0.85) and there were no observable dose effects (P = 0.13). Perfusion pressures did not differ (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The isolated perfused placental cotyledon produces IL-6 and concentrations increase over time. LPS does not alter production of IL-6 or fetoplacental vascular tone.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alters production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) or vascular tone in perfused placental cotyledons. METHODS: Control and study cotyledons from nine placentas were perfused for 3 h. Study cotyledons received LPS in concentrations of 0.01 mcg/ml (n = 3), 0.1 mcg/ml (n = 3), or 1.0 mcg/ml (n = 3). Effluents were collected at 30, 60, 120, and 180 min following infusion with LPS. IL-6 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay. Perfusion pressures were recorded at 10-min intervals. Data were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS:IL-6 production significantly increased over time in both the study and control cotyledons (P = 0.002). LPS treatment did not affect IL-6 production (P = 0.85) and there were no observable dose effects (P = 0.13). Perfusion pressures did not differ (P = 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: The isolated perfused placental cotyledon produces IL-6 and concentrations increase over time. LPS does not alter production of IL-6 or fetoplacental vascular tone.