[Clinical effect and mechanism of nitroglycerin patch on arresting preterm labor].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of nitroglycerin patch on treatment of preterm labour and to identify the mechanism responsible for arrest of preterm labour with nitroglycerin patch.


METHODS
Sixty women diagnosed as threatened preterm labour were divided into two groups: group of nitroglycerin patch therapy (n = 30), and group of magnesium sulfate and salbutamol sulfate therapy (n = 30). Nitroglycerin patch was applied to the abdomen of patients. Measurement of cortictrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) levels in maternal plasma was performed by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
The mean time of pregnancy prolongation was 25 days in the nitroglycerin patch group, and 8 days in the magnesium sulfate and salbutamol sulfate group. The mean level of CRH concentration in nitroglycerin patch group before treatment was (257 +/- 61) ng/L, and it was decreased sharply to (38 +/- 17) ng/L after treatment. Those were (248 +/- 60) ng/L and (56 +/- 22) ng/L respectively in the magnesium sulfate and salbutamol sulfate group.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduction of CRH secretion may be the mechanism of nitroglycerin patch on preterm labour therapy. It may act as an effective, safe, well-tolerated, and non-invasive method for treatment of preterm labour.
He
Qian
Q
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Sha
Jinyan
J
Gu
Qing
Q
Gu
Hang
H
Chen
Xiong
X
Yang
Zhouhui
Z
Ning
Hongyan
H
D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy
D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005996:Nitroglycerin; D000420:Albuterol