The effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compounds on human myometrial contractility.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of inhibitors of COX-1 or COX-2 on myometrial prostaglandin synthesis and on spontaneous contractions in human myometrium.


METHODS
Cultured myometrial cells were incubated with SC 58560 (COX-1 selective inhibitor) or SC 58236 (COX-2 selective inhibitor), and the production of prostaglandins determined by ELISA. Spontaneously contracting strips of isolated gravid human lower segment myometrium were incubated with SC 58236, meloxicam, DFU, or nimesulide (COX-2 selective inhibitors), with SC 58560 (COX-1 selective inhibitor) or indomethacin (non-selective inhibitor).


RESULTS
SC 58236 inhibited the production of prostaglandins from myometrial cells, whereas SC 58560 had less effect. Nimesulide (100 microM) and indomethacin (300 microM) completely inhibited myometrial contractions, whereas meloxicam, DFU, SC 58236 and SC 58560 had less effect.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no relationship between the inhibition of prostaglandin production and the effects of the compounds on contractility. Myometrial prostaglandin synthesis does not seem to be essential for spontaneous contractility.
Sawdy
Robert J
RJ
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Wolfson and Weston Centre for Family Health, Institute of Reproductive & Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
Sullivan
Mark H F
MH
Bennett
Phillip R
PR
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000077239:Meloxicam; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011247:Pregnancy; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology; D013843:Thiazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D051545:Cyclooxygenase 1; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007213:Indomethacin; D007527:Isoenzymes; D000077239:Meloxicam; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases; D011453:Prostaglandins; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; C119130:4-(5-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamide; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides; C404729:SC 58560; C496511:PTGS1 protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; C012655:nimesulide