Korean J Anesthesiol.  2006 Jun;50(6):S57-S60. 10.4097/kjae.2006.50.6.S57.

The Effects of Nitroglycerin on the Contraction of Rat Uterine Smooth Muscle

• An TH
• Han SY
• Song CH

• KMID: 1862265
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2006.50.6.S57

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.

Keyword

nitroglycerin; oxytocin; rat uterine smooth muscle; uterine relaxation

MeSH Terms

Animals
Baths
Female
Humans
Muscle, Smooth*
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular
Nitroglycerin*
Oxytocin
Rats*
Relaxation
Nitroglycerin
Oxytocin