title: Effects of recombinant human relaxin on pregnant rat uterine artery and myometrium in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of recombinant human relaxin on the uterine artery and myometrial contractility in pregnant rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uterine artery and myometrial rings from mid and term pregnant rats were used. Relaxin effect was studied on phenylephrine-induced contraction in the presence or absence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-oxadiazolo-quinoxaline-1-one, or adenylate cyclase inhibitor, SQ-22,536. The myometrial inhibitory effect of relaxin was studied on spontaneous and oxytocin- or protein kinase C activator-induced contractions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Uterine artery relaxation by relaxin was greater at mid pregnancy compared with term. Relaxin effect was decreased by SQ-22,536, 1H-oxadiazolo-quinoxaline-1-one and N omega-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester at mid pregnancy. Relaxin inhibited spontaneous contractions at mid pregnancy but not at term. Relaxin had no effect on oxytocin- or indolactam-V-induced contractions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Relaxin effect is mediated by nitric oxide, soluble guanylate cyclase, and adenylate cyclase in mid pregnant uterine artery. Relaxin inhibits spontaneous uterine activity at mid pregnancy. Relaxin effect decreased at term gestation in both tissues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555, USA.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Venu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Yuri P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Vedernikov
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Garfield
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Saade
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010121:Oxytocin; D011247:Pregnancy; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D012065:Relaxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: C095284:1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D011810:Quinoxalines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C017759:9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-adenine; D010121:Oxytocin; D012065:Relaxin; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D000225:Adenine; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester