Carboprost, used for 2′ trimester aboion, is analogue of ?
**Core Concept:** Carboprost is a prostaglandin analogue used in obstetrics and gynaecology for induction of labour. It acts on the myometrium to increase its sensitivity to oxytocin and subsequently leads to uterine contractions. Prostaglandins are a group of lipids derived from arachidonic acid and are involved in various physiological processes including inflammation, pain, and uterine contractions.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Carboprost is a synthetic analogue of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). PGE1 is involved in regulating uterine contractions during labour. When administered, Carboprost binds to the prostaglandin EP1 receptor on the uterine smooth muscle cells, leading to increased intracellular calcium levels and ultimately causing uterine contractions. This helps in the process of induction of labour.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. Option A is incorrect because prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) is primarily involved in relaxing the uterus, not inducing contractions. PGF2α is a competitive inhibitor of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) which has a dual effect on the uterus.
B. Option B is incorrect because prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is involved in maintaining the quiescence of the uterus during pregnancy. When given in excess, it can cause uterine contractions, but its primary role is in maintaining uterine quiescence.
C. Option C is incorrect because prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1α) is involved in relaxing the uterus, which is the opposite of the effect required for labour induction.
D. Option D is incorrect because prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is involved in modulating inflammation and pain but not in uterine contractions.
**Clinical Pearl:** Understanding the role of prostaglandins in labour induction is crucial for obstetricians and gynaecologists as they help in deciding the appropriate prostaglandin analogue for labour induction based on the desired effect (contraction induction or relaxation) and the stage of pregnancy (first or second trimester).
**Correct Answer:** C. Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) is involved in maintaining the quiescence of the uterus during pregnancy and its primary role is to inhibit uterine contractions. When given in excess, PGF2α can cause uterine contractions, which is the desired effect for labour induction.
**Explanation:** Prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) is primarily involved in maintaining the quiescence of the uterus during pregnancy. However, when given in excess, it can cause uterine contractions, which is the desired effect for labour induction. PGF2α acts through the FP receptor (F2α receptor) on the uterine smooth muscle cells, leading to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and a decrease in cyclic AMP (cAMP) production. The decrease in cAMP leads to a decrease in protein kinase A (PKA) activation, which ultimately results in uterine contractions.