Are alpha-adrenergic antagonists potent tocolytics? In vivo experiments on postpartum rats.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alpha-adrenergic antagonists on the motor activity of the postpartum uterus of the rat in vivo. Intrauterine pressure was assessed by means of a Millar catheter fitted with a latex microballoon. Some of the tested compounds (urapidil, yohimbine, phentolamine, benoxathian and prazosin) decreased the uterine activity to a significant extent (57.4-67.4%). However, none of the investigated alpha receptor blockers exerted the same effect as beta-adrenergic agonists. Our results suggest that alpha-adrenergic antagonists could possibly be used as an alternative to beta-adrenergic agonists in clinical tocolysis after an appropriate clinical evaluation.
Zupkó
I
I
Department of Pharmacodynamics, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary.
Gáspár
R
R
Kovács
L
L
Falkay
G
G
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D049590:Postpartum Period; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D015149:Tocolytic Agents