Fenamates may antagonize the actions of prostaglandin endoperoxides in human myometrium.
1 The prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue U-46619 potently contracted human isolated myometrium, suggesting that prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) may be a major stimulant of myometrial contractions. 2 Sodium mefenamate, flufenamate or meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml greatly reduced contractions of the myometrium induced by the PGH2 analogue. 3 Flufenamate, but not the other two drugs, also significantly inhibited contractions to acetylcholine. 4 Sodium meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml did not consistently antagonize contractions to PGF2alpha. 5 The relief of dysmenorrhoea by fenamates may be explained both by inhibition of PG synthesis, and by antagonism of contractions to PGH2 produced by incompletely blocked PG synthesis.
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005439:Flufenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008528:Mefenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011463:Prostaglandins H / Q000494:pharmacology; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011450:Prostaglandin Endoperoxides, Synthetic; D011463:Prostaglandins H; D062367:ortho-Aminobenzoates; D008528:Mefenamic Acid; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid; D005439:Flufenamic Acid; D000109:Acetylcholine