| RESEARCH PAPER |
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| Year : 2005 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 1 | Page : 21-25 |
Effect of functional modulation of Ca2+-activated Cl- currents on gravid rat myometrial activity
P Ganesan Adaikan, A Adebiyi
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074, Singapore
Correspondence Address:
P Ganesan Adaikan
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, 119074
Singapore
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.13850
OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to examine the effect of functional modification of Ca2+-activated Cl- currents on contractile activities of isolated gravid rat myometrium.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spontaneous rhythmic and oxytocin-induced contractile activities of gravid rat myometrium in the presence and absence of Cl- (in the bathing medium) were studied in a tissue bath system. The effects of niflumic acid (a Cl- channel blocker) on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractile activities were also delineated.
RESULTS: Replacement of Cl--containing Tyrode solution with Cl--free medium caused transient increase in myometrial contractile tone for about 15 min (possibly due to rapid efflux of Cl-) after which gradual failure of the spontaneous contractions led to myometrial quiescence within 1 h. Normal spontaneous contractions returned after replacing Cl--free medium with Tyrode solution. In Cl--free medium, oxytocin-induced contractions of the myometrium were significantly reduced by 44 ± 9%. Niflumic acid (30 µM) caused an increase in myometrial contractile tone for about 10 min followed by time-dependent inhibition of spontaneous contractions of the rat myometrium. Moreover, prior addition of 30 µM of niflumic acid to the tissue baths (for 30 min) caused 74 ± 5% reduction of oxytocin-induced contractions of the myometrial strips.
CONCLUSION: Ca2+-activated Cl- currents play a significant role in the spontaneous and oxytocin-induced myometrial activity. Ca2+-activated Cl- conductance could hence be a potential target for the pharmacological control of uterine activity.
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