title: Cu(II) complexation does not affect oxytocin action on pregnant human myometrium in vitro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Copper may influence the in vivo and in vitro uterine activity. Recent evidence shows that cupric ions can easily form complexes with oligopeptides like oxytocin (OXT). The high complex stability in vitro suggests a possibility of complex formation in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro isometric contractions were recorded in uterine tissues from pregnant women undergoing caesarean sections and the effect of OXT and the Cu-OXT complex on isolated human pregnant myometrium was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the concentration range from 10(-14) to 10(-6)M of OXT alone, pre-formed Cu-OXT complex, and OXT following sample preincubation with Cu(II) salt, nosignificant differences were observed for the following parameters of pregnant uterine smooth muscle contraction: the area under the curve, frequency and amplitude of contraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The binding of Cu(2+) ions does not abolish the ability of OXT to interact with oxytocin receptors and stimulate myometrial contraction in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. Electronic address: kleszczt@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kleszczewski
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Modzelewska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Warszawa, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology of Pregnancy, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sipowicz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health Care, Higher Vocational School of Suwałki, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kleszczewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland; Łomża Medical College of the Universal Educational Society, Łomża, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kostrzewska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009215:Myometrium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D010120:Oxytocics; D010121:Oxytocin; D003300:Copper
keywords: Complex; Copper; In vitro; Oxytocin; Pregnancy