Drug may buy vital time for early babies

Nov 2 2009 by Vicky Robson, The Journal

RESEARCH by scientists in the North East is offering hope to doctors trying to prevent pregnant women from going into premature labour.

The researchers at Newcastle University have found Trichostatin A – an agent initially investigated in the laboratory as a possible cancer therapy – has been shown to inhibit contractions in muscle from the uterus.

The team hopes further tests could lead the drug to be used to prevent premature birth – the biggest single cause of infant death.

Around 50,000 babies are born too early in the UK each year and around 1,500 babies don’t survive. Yet little is known about what causes premature birth or how to prevent it.

A variety of drugs are already used to reduce the incidence of premature labour, but few are effective and some have serious side effects.

Previous studies have shown that protein kinase A (PKA) is involved in controlling the relaxation of the uterus during pregnancy, and that levels of PKA are higher in pregnant woman compared to non-pregnant woman and then decrease at the start of labour.

Researchers using uterine muscle samples from patients at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary showed that the drug Trichostatin A increased the levels of PKA and also inhibited smooth muscle contractions in these tissues.

Professor Nick Europe-Finner, the project leader and Professor of Myometrial Science at Newcastle University, said: "This is an exciting new discovery as we now know that PKA has an important role in controlling relaxation of the uterus during pregnancy.

"The discovery that Trichostatin A can inhibit contractions, presumably due to its effect on PKA, means that this drug could potentially be used to prevent premature labour.

"However, further laboratory studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of this and similar anti-cancer agents."

Dr Magdalena Karolczak-Bayatti, research fellow at Newcastle University, added: "More laboratory research should help us to determine exactly how Trichostatin A regulates PKA levels and affects uterine muscle contraction. "

The research was funded by leading children’s charity Action Medical Research.

Premature birth can spark long-lasting problems for both the mother and the baby. For many women, pre-term labour is shocking, frightening and unexpected.

Dr Yolande Harley, deputy director of research at Action Medical Research, said: "This project has uncovered some of the molecular pathways that regulate uterine contractions and so could be linked to premature birth.

"The results showing that Trichostatin A can inhibit contractions in the uterus means it could have a role in preventing premature birth. Finding a new treatment for early labour would be a major step forward."

There are several factors which can increase a woman’s risk of going into premature labour including age, infection and inflammation.

Many premature babies, particularly those who are born very early, are at risk of developing serious problems, such as cerebral palsy, blindness, deafness and developmental delay.

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