title: Low dose alcohol contracts the human umbilical artery in vitro.
abstract: Beginning at very low concentrations (0.001 g/100 ml), alcohol elicited dose-dependent contractions of the human umbilical artery in vitro. Additionally, 16 of the 108 arteries tested had a 5-10-min spasm in response to alcohol. Alcohol (0.2 g/100 ml) also increased tension developed in response to all angiotensin II doses, but had no effect on serotonin-induced contractions. These results suggest that alcohol may increase umbilicoplacental resistance in vivo, thus decreasing fetal-placental blood flow.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48201.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Savoy-Moore
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Dombrowski
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Abel
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sokol
mesh_terms: D046508:Culture Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol