Cocaine and beta-adrenergic receptor function in pregnant myometrium.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the in vitro effect of cocaine on beta-adrenergic receptor function in pregnant human myometrium.


METHODS
Myometrium was obtained from 25 pregnant women at term who were undergoing cesarean section but who were not in labor. Membrane preparations were assayed for cyclic adenosine monophosphate production after exposure to isoproterenol, sodium fluoride, or forskolin in the presence and absence of either cocaine or benzoylecgonine, a major metabolite of cocaine.


RESULTS
Cocaine inhibited isoproterenol-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in concentrations as low as 10(-8) mol/L but had no effect on cyclic adenosine monophosphate production induced by sodium fluoride or forskolin. Benzoylecgonine (10(-4) mol/L) had no effect on isoproterenol-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate production.


CONCLUSIONS
Cocaine is a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist in human myometrium at concentrations as low as 10(-8) mol/L. This acute effect of cocaine may result in increased uterine contractility with adrenergic stimulation, potentially leading to increased uterine activity associated with acute cocaine use.
Wang
F L
FL
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Dombrowski
M P
MP
Hurd
W W
WW
D003042:Cocaine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D005576:Colforsin; C005618:benzoylecgonine; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D003042:Cocaine; D007545:Isoproterenol