Effects of β-adrenergic agonist infusions on myometrial activity and plasma prostaglandin levels in the nonpregnant sheep

1987 ◽  
Vol 65 (11) ◽  
pp. 2297-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Lye ◽  
P. Christopher ◽  
R. F. Casper

Recent studies have reported that β-adrenergic agonists stimulate the production of stimulatory prostaglandins (PGs) by intrauterine tissues in vitro. These drugs are used clinically to inhibit uterine contractions; consequently an increase in stimulatory PGs in vivo might have potentially adverse effects. We have, therefore, investigated whether β-adrenergic agonists increase plasma PG concentrations in vivo. Samples of peripheral (aorta) and uterine venous enriched (vena cava) blood from nonpregnant sheep were collected at 15-min intervals for 1 h before, 3 h during, and 1 h postinfusion of either (a) the β-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (Isop) at a dose of 0.16 μg∙kg−1 min−1; (b) Isop at a dose of 0.08 μg∙kg−1∙min−1; or (c) saline, 1 mL/h via a jugular vein catheter. The sheep were also equipped with intrauterine recording balloons to record intrauterine pressure and myometrial electromyographic (EMG) electrodes to measure EMG activity. Infusion of Isop at 0.16 μg∙kg−1∙min−1 produced a significant initial inhibition of uterine activity, although contractions returned (within 60 min) despite continued administration of Isop. Plasma PGE2 (but not PGF2α or 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α (PGFM)) concentrations were significantly elevated during the Isop infusion. Administration of Isop at 0.08 μg∙kg−1∙min−1 produced no effects on uterine contractile activity but was associated with a significant elevation in plasma PGE2 (but not PGF2α or PGFM) concentrations. No changes in plasma PGE2, PGF2α, or PGFM occurred during saline infusion. The data suggest that β-adrenergic agonist infusion is associated with a differential increase in plasma PG levels in vivo, but that this effect is probably not related to the failure of Isop (0.16 μg∙kg−1∙min−1) to maintain inhibition of myometrial contractions.

Author(s):  
A.A. Yakovleva ◽  
N.G. Pavlova

Сократительная деятельность матки до настоящего времени остается актуальным вопросом фундаментальных исследований, поскольку отсутствуют единые представления о биомеханике маточного сокращения, необходимые для профилактики родового и акушерского травматизма. Цель работы - оценка ограничений и возможностей экспериментальных моделей, предназначенных для изучения сократительной активности миометрия. Методика. Основными экспериментальными подходами к изучению сократительной активности матки являлись исследования in vitro, in situ, in vivo, in silico, а также их сочетание. Результаты. В статье рассмотрены исследования, в которых использованы различные сочетания экспериментальных подходов, обсуждаются результаты, полученные при моделировании в экспериментах, обсуждаются результаты изучения синхронизации сокращения отделов матки на различных моделях, а также результаты исследования пейсмейкерной активности миометрия и возможность экстраполяции полученных данных на человека. В связи с активным развитием компьютерных технологий в статье поднимается вопрос об их использовании в моделировании сократительной активности матки человека. Заключение. Делается заключение, что комплексный подход, включающий электромиографические, биохимические и морфологические исследования в хроническом эксперименте, является наиболее адекватным для изучения сократительной активности миометрия и функционального состояния нормально развитых и отставших в развитии плодов, что позволит разработать комплексные методы профилактики родового и акушерского травматизма.Uterine contractile activity remains an important issue of fundamental research as there is no single view of the biomechanics of uterine contraction necessary for the prevention of parturition and obstetric trauma until now. The aim of the review was to assess advantages and limitations of experimental models described in the literature for study uterine contractile activity. At the present time main experimental approaches for study myometrium contractile activity are research in vitro, in situ, in vivo, in silico and the their combinations. The literature presents experimental approaches, different models of uterine contractions synchronization and study of myometrium pacemaker activity. Due to active development of computer technologies there is a need to model human uterine contractile activity with a simplified anatomy. The authors propose that combination of electromyographic, biochemical and morphological methods in chronic experiment is the most correct and appropriate direction for the assessment of the myometrium contractile activity and functional state of normally developed and growth restricted fetuses.


2012 ◽  
Vol 302 (1) ◽  
pp. C141-C153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Dorsey ◽  
Richard M. Lovering ◽  
Cynthia L. Renn ◽  
Carmen C. Leitch ◽  
Xinyue Liu ◽  
...  

Neurotrophin-dependent activation of the tyrosine kinase receptor trkB.FL modulates neuromuscular synapse maintenance and function; however, it is unclear what role the alternative splice variant, truncated trkB ( trkB.T1), may have in the peripheral neuromuscular axis. We examined this question in trkB.T1 null mice and demonstrate that in vivo neuromuscular performance and nerve-evoked muscle tension are significantly increased. In vitro assays indicated that the gain-in-function in trkB.T1 −/− animals resulted specifically from an increased muscle contractility, and increased electrically evoked calcium release. In the trkB.T1 null muscle, we identified an increase in Akt activation in resting muscle as well as a significant increase in trkB.FL and Akt activation in response to contractile activity. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the trkB signaling pathway might represent a novel target for intervention across diseases characterized by deficits in neuromuscular function.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjana Dayal ◽  
Sean X Gu ◽  
Katinan M Wilson ◽  
Ryan Hutchins ◽  
Steven R Lentz

In vitro studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species such as superoxide can produce prothrombotic effects, including enhanced platelet activation, increased tissue factor (TF) expression, and an oxidative modification in thrombomodulin impairing its capacity to enhance the generation of activated protein C (APC) by thrombin. It is not known, however, if elevated levels of superoxide accelerate susceptibility to experimental thrombosis in vivo . We used mice genetically deficient in superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1, an antioxidant enzyme that dismutates superoxide to hydrogen peroxide), to test the hypothesis that lack of SOD1 enhances susceptibility to thrombosis. Susceptibility to carotid artery thrombosis in a photochemical injury model demonstrated that Sod1-/- mice formed stable occlusions significantly faster than Sod1+/+ mice (P<0.05). In an inferior vena cava (IVC) stasis model Sod1- /- mice developed significantly larger thrombi 48 hours after IVC ligation (P<0.05 vs. Sod1+/+ mice). After activation with thrombin (0.5 U/ml) or convulxin (200 ng/ml), no differences in surface expression of P-selectin or binding of fibrinogen were observed between platelets from Sod1-/- and Sod1+/+ mice. The expression of TF mRNA in lung measured by real time qPCR showed similar levels in Sod1-/- and Sod1 +/+ mice. However, the activation of exogenous protein C by thrombin in lung homogenates was decreased in Sod1 -/- mice (P<0.05 vs. Sod1 +/+ mice). Further, in vivo generation of activated protein C in response to thrombin (40 U/Kg) infusion was significantly lower in Sod1-/- mice (P<0.05 vs. Sod1+/+ mice). No differences in mRNA levels for thrombomodulin or endothelial protein C receptor were detected in Sod1 -/- mice vs. Sod1 +/+ mice, suggesting that altered generation of activated protein C in Sod1-/- mice may be related to a direct oxidative effect on thrombomodulin. In accordance, thrombomodulin treated with xanthine/hypoxanthine showed 40% loss of ability to activate protein C that was overcome by addition of SOD and catalase (P<0.05). We conclude that endogenous SOD1 in mice protects from impaired generation of activated protein C and accelerated thrombosis.


2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (3) ◽  
pp. H676-H686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget M. Seitz ◽  
Hakan S. Orer ◽  
Teresa Krieger-Burke ◽  
Emma S. Darios ◽  
Janice M. Thompson ◽  
...  

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] causes relaxation of the isolated superior mesenteric vein, a splanchnic blood vessel, through activation of the 5-HT7 receptor. As part of studies designed to identify the mechanism(s) through which chronic (≥24 h) infusion of 5-HT lowers blood pressure, we tested the hypothesis that 5-HT causes in vitro and in vivo splanchnic venodilation that is 5-HT7 receptor dependent. In tissue baths for measurement of isometric contraction, the portal vein and abdominal inferior vena cava relaxed to 5-HT and the 5-HT1/7 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine; relaxation was abolished by the 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB-269970. Western blot analyses showed that the abdominal inferior vena cava and portal vein express 5-HT7 receptor protein. In contrast, the thoracic vena cava, outside the splanchnic circulation, did not relax to serotonergic agonists and exhibited minimal expression of the 5-HT7 receptor. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with chronically implanted radiotelemetry transmitters underwent repeated ultrasound imaging of abdominal vessels. After baseline imaging, minipumps containing vehicle (saline) or 5-HT (25 μg·kg−1·min−1) were implanted. Twenty-four hours later, venous diameters were increased in rats with 5-HT-infusion (percent increase from baseline: superior mesenteric vein, 17.5 ± 1.9; portal vein, 17.7 ± 1.8; and abdominal inferior vena cava, 46.9 ± 8.0) while arterial pressure was decreased (~13 mmHg). Measures returned to baseline after infusion termination. In a separate group of animals, treatment with SB-269970 (3 mg/kg iv) prevented the splanchnic venodilation and fall in blood pressure during 24 h of 5-HT infusion. Thus, 5-HT causes 5-HT7 receptor-dependent splanchnic venous dilation associated with a fall in blood pressure. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research is noteworthy because it combines and links, through the 5-HT7 receptor, an in vitro observation (venorelaxation) with in vivo events (venodilation and fall in blood pressure). This supports the idea that splanchnic venodilation plays a role in blood pressure regulation.


Author(s):  
Shakiru A. Salami ◽  
Hussein M. Salahdeen ◽  
Abidemi E. Obafemi ◽  
Babatunde A. Murtala

Abstract Objectives Stress responses vary throughout pregnancy and impact of late gestational variable stress (LGVS) with vitamin C supplementation on uterine contractility is barely explored. This study investigates fetal weight outcome and in-vitro uterine contractile responses to pharmacological agents during LGVS exposure. Methods Twenty four nulliparous pregnant rats were divided into four groups of six. During gestation days 10–19, groups 1 & 2 received normal saline and vitamin C (10 mg/kg) respectively. Groups 3 and 4 were exposed to stress (sleep deprivation, predator exposure, immobility, rapid cage changes, noise, and foreign object) with group 4 concurrently supplemented with vitamin C (10 mg/kg). Serum cortisol, oxidative bio-markers, fetal weights and in-vitro contractile responses of excised uterine tissue to acetylcholine (Ach), oxytocin, calcium chloride (CaCl2), potassium chloride (KCl), diclofenac, and magnesium ions were determined. Results Malondialdehyde activity and cortisol were significantly increased in variable stress only exposed group when compared with control and vitamin C supplemented groups. Fetal body weights, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were significantly reduced in variable stress only exposed group. Significantly impaired contractile responses to Ach, CaCl2 & KCl in variable stress only exposed group were modulated in vitamin C supplemented groups. Impaired contractile response to oxytocin was however not reversed. Relaxation responses to diclofenac and magnesium ions were statistically unaltered across groups. Conclusions Impaired fetal weights and uterine contractile activity to Ach, CaCl2 and KCl during LGVS was modulated by vitamin C supplementation. Impaired oxytocin contractile activity was however unreversed.


1980 ◽  
Vol 238 (2) ◽  
pp. E157-E166 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Harper ◽  
L. W. Coons ◽  
D. A. Radicke ◽  
B. J. Hodgson ◽  
G. Valenzuela

Contractile activity of the ampulla of rabbit oviducts removed 24 h after an ovulating injection was studied in vitro. Spontaneous activity, field-stimulated activity, and response to phenylephrine were studied in normal, reversed, and scraped (endosalpinx removed) sections of tissues in the presence or absence of inhibitors of prostaglandin synthetase (8 or 51 micrograms/ml indomethacin or 10 or 100 micrograms/ml 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETA)). The effects of in vivo treatment with 10 mg/kg of indomethacin on the same responses were examined. Scraped tissues produced more prostaglandin E and F (measured by radioimmunoassay) than did normal tissues, and this production was suppressed by 10 micrograms/ml of indomethacin or 100 micrograms/ml of ETA. Production of prostaglandin by normal tissues was not depressed by these compounds in vitro, but was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the animals with indomethacin in vivo. In the absence of the endosalpinx, the myosalpinx exhibited spontaneous activity and responded to field stimulation and phenylephrine. Scraped and reversed tissues, however, showed a faster decline in response to field stimulation than normal tissues, and this was due to the traumatization. By contrast, traumatization increased the sensitivity of the tissue to respond to phenylephrine. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase by low doses of indomethacin or ETA prevented desensitization of the tissue to field stimulation, but this desensitization was little affected by the higher doses of indomethacin in vitro or in vivo. ETA did not affect the phenylephrine dose-response curves and nor did 8 micrograms/ml of indomethacin, whereas the high dose was inhibitory. Spontaneous activity was only affected by the in vivo pretreatment with indomethacin, which prevented the decline in activity of scraped tissue with time.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (5) ◽  
pp. H1545-H1551
Author(s):  
Justin R. Hamilton ◽  
Joanne L. Hart ◽  
Owen L. Woodman

We investigated the release of a stable contractile factor(s) from rabbit isolated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs; 108cells/ml) incubated in Tyrode buffer at 37°C. PMNs were untreated, stimulated with N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP; 0.1 μM), or degranulated with cytochalasin B (1 μM) in combination with FMLP (0.1 μM). Products from unstimulated PMNs incubated for 60 min caused significantly greater contraction of rabbit isolated aorta (0.56 ± 0.12 g, n = 8) than did products released from PMNs during a 5-min incubation (0.32 ± 0.07 g, n = 11, P < 0.05). Stimulation alone did not affect contractile factor release; however, products released from degranulated PMNs caused significantly greater aortic contraction (0.48 ± 0.08 g, n = 5) than products from nondegranulated PMNs (0.24 ± 0.04 g, n = 5, P < 0.05) after a 5-min incubation. The contractile activity of PMN-derived products was virtually abolished by heat (90°C, 10 min) or protease (trypsin; 166 U/ml, 5 h) treatment. These findings suggest a PMN-derived protein vasoconstrictor(s) is spontaneously released at a slow rate in vitro and that degranulation can enhance this rate of release. Because PMN degranulation in vivo is associated with inflammation, these results support suggestions that PMN-derived contractile factors may contribute to the impaired blood flow observed during postischemic reperfusion.


1963 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. DANIELS ◽  
S. M. KALMAN

SUMMARY Adult Long Evans rats were ovariectomized and, one month later, were subjected to partial hepatectomy. Immature Long Evans rats were either partially hepatectomized in one step, or complete hepatectomy was accomplished by a two-stage operation which included ligation of the inferior vena cava followed by a partial evisceration. The response of these animals to injected oestradiol was compared with that of sham-operated controls by observing uptake of water by the uterus in vivo, and also by estimating the ability of surviving uterine fragments to accumulate radioactive α-amino-isobutyric acid in vitro. It was found that partial or complete hepatectomy did not abolish the response of the uterus to oestradiol. These results seem to exclude an essential role for the liver in the early response of a target organ to an oestrogenic hormone.


Parasitology ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ayala ◽  
F. Kierszenbaum

SUMMARYWe previously reported that blood forms of Trypanosoma cruzi express alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors and that binding of specific agonists to these receptors modifies the infective capacity of the parasite in vitro. The present study has revealed that the inhibitory effect of the beta-adrenergic agonist L-isoproterenol and the stimulatory effect of the alpha-adrenergic agonist L-phenylephrine are not produced when the parasite is subjected to prolonged exposure to otherwise effective doses of these agonists or when supraoptimal doses of these agonists are used. We refer to these phenomena as ‘desensitization’ because of their analogy with vertebrate cells becoming desensitized by prolonged exposure to, or relatively high concentrations of, adrenergic agonists. At a constant agonist concentration, T. cruzi desensitization was time-dependent and, when the time of parasite treatment with the agonists was not changed, the higher concentrations of the agonist tested were the most effective in producing desensitization. The reduced infectivity resulting from treatment with optimal doses of L-isoproterenol was accompanied by elevated levels of cyclic adenosine mono- phosphate (cAMP) which were not detectable when L-isoproterenol concentrations producing desensitization were used. This finding implicated cAMP as a likely second signal in the inhibitory mechanisms of this agonist. No significant change in cAMP was detectable in parasites treated with L-phenylephrine, leaving open the question about how optimal doses of this alpha-adrenergic agonist enhance T. cruzi infectivity. Parasite responsiveness to alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists as well as the desensitization effects define a system which regulates infectivity and could be modified at the host tissue level by naturally occurring agonists.


Author(s):  
J.M. Dawson ◽  
D.E. Beever ◽  
P.J. Buttery ◽  
M. Gill

ß-adrenergic agonists are powerful repartitioning agents, increasing muscle protein accretion and reducing fat deposition in a variety of species. Their exact mode of action is not fully understood but some of their effects are similar to those elicited by exogenous growth hormone administration. Whilst there are few reports of plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations being elevated in animals treated with ß-agonists, several in vitro studies have clearly demonstrated a direct stimulation of GH release from perifused or cultured pituitary or adenohypophyseal cells on administration of these agents. More recently, a brief, rapid rise in plasma GH has been demonstrated in rats infused intra-atrially with isoproterenol and this was sustained when the animals were pre-treated with somatotropin release inhibitory factor (somatostatin; SRIF) antiserum. This raises the possibility that ß-adrenergic agonists do stimulate GH release in vivo but that this response is rapidly counteracted by SRIF release.The aim of this work was to attempt to enhance the repartitioning effect of ß-adrenergic agonists by immunizing young cattle against SRIF whilst administering cimaterol.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document