Vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and its protein expression in decidua after terminating early pregnancy by mifepristone plus misoprostol.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the action of mifepristone plus misoprostol on decidua at the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and its protein expression, as well as the mechanism of prolonged uterine hemorrhage after terminating early pregnancy with these drugs.

METHODS

Forty-five decidua specimens were obtained from 45 pregnant women with amenorrhea of 6-7 weeks' duration, in which 15 women were treated with mifepristone and 15 were given mifepristone plus misoprostol. Enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect VEGF protein and mRNA levels in decidua.

RESULTS

In all three groups, only the VEGF121 amplification product of 452 bp was visualized. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF showed no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In humans, early decidua VEGF121 mRNA is the main isoform. The action of mifepristone plus misoprostol on blood vessels in human decidua may be medicated by some factors other than VEGF.