Arachidonic acid metabolites: Effects on inflammation of fetal rabbit excisional wounds

Abstract

Uncovered fetal rabbit excisional wounds do not exhibit any classic signs of healing; wounds covered with an impermeable cover do contract, reepithelialize, and exhibit inflammation. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) is elevated in amniotic fluid, acting as an immunosuppressant at the maternal-fetal interface. Full-thickness excisional wounds were made on 25-day gestational age rabbit fetuses. Half the wounds were covered with an impermeable cover. Tissue from covered, uncovered, and nonwounded fetuses was examined 72 h after wounding for arachidonic acid metabolites. Uncovered wounds had significantly ( P ≤0.05) elevated levels of PGE 2 , PGE 2α , and 12-HETE versus covered wounds and control tissue. Covered wounds had significantly elevated levels of 15-HETE compared to uncovered and control tissue. The elevated PGE 2 in uncovered wounds may act as a fetal immunosuppressant; covered wounds (lower PGE 2 ) developed cellular inflammation. Further investigations of these interactions may permit modulation of adult inflammation.