title: Hydrogen sulfide inhibits the spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractility of human pregnant myometrium.
abstract: Hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) is a novel endogenous gaseous signaling transmitter in mammalian tissues including smooth muscle tissues. We investigated the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a H(2)S donor, on the contractility of isolated human myometrium strips from term pregnant women who were undergoing labor. Cumulative effects of NaHS on spontaneous and oxytocin-induced contractility were evaluated by using isometric tension recordings. NaHS (0.1 μM-1 mM) concentration dependently inhibited spontaneous contractility of laboring myometrium, with a decrease in amplitude and frequency. NaHS (0.1 μM-1 mM) decreased the frequency but not the amplitude of oxytocin (1 μM)-induced contractions. NaHS-induced relaxation could be prevented by pretreatment with glibenclamide, an inhibitor of K(+)(ATP) channels. Thus, NaHS evokes relaxation of human pregnant myometrium, suggesting a possible role of H(2)S during human pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Rong
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Jianqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Xingji
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013440:Sulfides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013440:Sulfides; D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D010121:Oxytocin; C025451:sodium bisulfide