Vasoactive peptides and uterine vessels.
Endothelins and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are vasoactive peptides with effects on the human uterine and umbilical arteries. Endothelin (ET) contracts the vascular smooth muscle. Both ETA- and non-ETA-non-ETB-receptors seem to be involved. Autoradiography reveals binding of ET to vascular smooth muscle. ANP counteracts the contractile effects of angiotensin II in the human uterine artery. Head-down tilt results in elevation of plasma ANP in healthy pregnant women, while the same manoeuvre induces down-regulation of the reninangiotensin-aldosterone system in non-pregnant women and patients suffering from pre-eclampsia.
Stjernquist
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Malmö, University of Lund, Sweden.
Bodelsson
G
G
Poulsen
H
H
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D016232:Endothelins / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology
D016232:Endothelins; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor