Matthias David, Carola Hamann, Frank C.-K. Chen, Leonhard Bruch, Werner Lichtenegger
Comparison of the relaxation effect in vitro of nitroglycerin vs. fenoterol on human myometrial strips
Aims: Substance dose-related comparison of relaxation
effect of nitroglycerin (GTN) and the ?2-mimetic substance
fenoterol in human myometrial tissue.
Methods: Test criterion is the isometric force development
of isolated human myometrial strips. These muscle
strips were removed from the lower uterine segment
at cesarean section. Fenoterol in concentrations of
3 × 10?8–10?5 mol/l or GTN in concentrations of
1.7 × 10?8–5.8 × 10?4 mol/l were applied to the
2 × 2 × 10-mm strips, which were fixed and maintained
in tissue baths. The curves were plotted on line.
The integral or the “area under the curve” (AUC) served
as the parameter for muscle strip activity.
Results: A total of 100 strips from 20 patients were
used. GTN demonstrated a significant relaxation effect
in the in vitro model on human myometrial strips from
pregnant women already treated with oxytocin. The effect
was able to be enhanced to a point where oxytocin-induced
contractions were completely absent. A relatively
clear connection was demonstrated between dose
and effect whereby increased muscle relaxation resulted
at increased concentrations. Compared to GTN application,
muscle strip relaxation was less pronounced under
fenoterol; a complete inhibition of myometrial activity
was not achieved under fenoterol.
Conclusions: With respect to relaxation of the myometrial
tissue samples the NO donor GTN is at least as
potent as the standard tocolytic agent fenoterol in the in
vitro model.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 28, 07/2000
Pages: 232 - 242
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