title: Arrest of preterm labor in rat and mouse by an oral and selective nonprostanoid antagonist of the prostaglandin F2alpha receptor (FP).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the tocolytic effect of AS604872, an orally active, potent, and selective prostanoid prostaglandin F2alpha receptor (FP) antagonist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Compound AS604872 was characterized and tested for its ability to block uterine contraction and delay preterm parturition in rodent models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AS604872 inhibited spontaneous uterine contractions in pregnant rat near term. In pregnant mouse, AS604872 delayed parturition induced by either the antiprogesterone RU-486 or the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide. Pups from treated mothers were delivered alive. The efficacy of AS604872 was superior to the beta-mimetic drug ritodrine. Combination of AS604872 and ritodrine showed an additive inhibitory effect on spontaneous uterine contractions in rat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A selective antagonist of the FP receptor suppresses uterine contractility and delays labor. Our findings identify a new potential modality for the pharmacological management of preterm labor.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerche Biomediche A. Marxer. Merck Serono, Colleretto Giacosa, Italy.
authors.forename: Rocco
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.forename: Enrico Gillio
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Tos
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Missotten
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quattropani
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scheer
authors.forename: Matthias K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chollet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012312:Ritodrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: C522100:AS604872; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D011982:Receptors, Prostaglandin; D013449:Sulfonamides; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; C034671:prostaglandin F2alpha receptor; D015735:Mifepristone; D012312:Ritodrine