The Effects of Nitroglycerin on the Contraction of Rat Uterine Smooth Muscle. |
Tae Hun An, Sueng Yong Han, Chang Hoon Song |
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. ath620@hanmail.net 2Department of Obestetrics and Gynecology, Chosun University College of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. |
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Abstract |
BACKGROUND It has been reported that nitroglycerin relaxes not only vascular smooth muscle but also uterine smooth muscle. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of nitroglycerin on rat uterine contractile activity in vitro. The effects of nitroglycerin on myometrial spontaneous activity and oxytocin-induced contractions were also observed. METHODS Uterine smooth muscle tissues were obtained from non-pregnant female rats (n = 21). The uterine segments were mounted in tissue baths. After spontaneous or oxytocin-induced activity had been accomplished, nitroglycerin in various concentrations was added to the bath and the effects were continuously registered. RESULTS Nitroglycerin induced a dose-dependent inhibition of spontaneous as well as oxytocin-induced myometrial contractile activity. Complete muscular relaxation on spontaneous contractility was obtained at a concentration of 50 microgram/ml. Complete muscular relaxation on oxytocin-induced contractility was obtained at a concentration of 75 microgram/ml. CONCLUSIONS Nitroglycerin inhibited the uterine contractile response to exogenous oxytocin as well as spontaneous in the estrous rat. |
Key Words:
nitroglycerin; oxytocin; rat uterine smooth muscle; uterine relaxation |
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