title: Contractile effect of endothelin in the human uterine artery and autoradiographic localization of its binding sites.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to study the effects, mode of action, and binding sites of endothelin-1 in the human uterine artery.
  
  
  METHODS
  The contractile effect of endothelin-1 on the human uterine artery with and without endothelium and the effect of verapamil and nicardipine on the contraction was investigated in vitro. The Student t test was used. Iodine 125-endothelin-1 binding sites were localized with autoradiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endothelin-1 induced a contraction that was unaffected by removal of the endothelium. Verapamil antagonized the contraction, whereas nicardipine showed no effect. Iodine 125-endothelin-1 binding sites were demonstrated in the smooth muscle layer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show that endothelin-1 is a vasoconstrictor in the human uterine artery and suggest that the effect is mediated by receptors on the smooth muscle cells. The mode of action seems to involve Ca++ influx by other than dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca++ channels. Endothelin-1 does not seem to stimulate release of other endothelium-derived vasoactive agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lund, Malmö.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bodelsson
authors.forename: N O
authors.initials: NO
authors.lastname: Sjöberg
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stjernquist
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001345:Autoradiography; D001665:Binding Sites; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014661:Vasoconstriction
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016232:Endothelins