Tyrphostins inhibit lipopolysaccharide induced preterm labor in mice.

OBJECTIVE: We tested whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine preterm birth was delayed by tyrphostins (inhibitors of tyrosine kinases). STUDY DESIGN: The tyrphostins, AG126 or AG1288, or the prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase-2 (PGHS-2) inhibitor, NS-398, were administered 2 h before LPS, with LPS, or 2 h after LPS and their effect on gestational length was measured. RESULTS: Only tyrphostins and NS-398 administered 2 h before LPS successfully delayed preterm birth (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both tyrphostins AG126 and AG1288 as well as NS-398 inhibited LPS induced preterm birth to the time of normal birth.