INTERACTION OF SEXUAL STEROIDS, PROSTAGLANDINS (6-KETO-PGF1-ALPHA, PGF2-ALPHA) AND BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS (EPINEPHRINE, FENOTEROL-PARTUSISTEN) IN HUMAN NONPREGNANT MYOMETRIUM INVITRO

  • 1 September 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 190  (5) , 204-209
Abstract
The in vitro effects of epinephrine and fenoterol (Partusisten) on contactility and prostaglandin (6-keto-PGF1.alpha., PGF2.alpha.) production of human, non-pregnant myometrial strips dependent on the phase of the menstrual cycle and after pretreatment with estrogens and progesterone are reported. Superfusion of epinephrine (100 mg/ml) stimulated contractility and PG-synthesis of myometrial tissue from the proliferative phase of the cycle, whereas fenoterol (10 ng/ml) had only a little inhibitory effect. After pretreatment with conjugated estrogens (Presomen) the maximal epinephrine-stimulated contractions were correlated to a further increase in PGF2.alpha.-synthesis even during fenoterol superfusion. In myometrial tissue obtained during the secretory phase of the cycle, both epinephrine and fenoterol had a significant inhibitory effect on spontaneous contractions associated with an increase in 6-keto-PGF1.alpha.-production. After pretreatment with an estrogen-progestin combination (Primosiston) fenoterol superfusion resulted in a complete inhbition of myometrial contractions. These results demonstrate that estrogens increase the myometrial sensitivity to catecholamines leading to increased contractility and increased PGF2.alpha.-synthesis, whereas progesterone probably mediates the .beta.-adrenergic inhibitory effect on myometrial contractions. Thus, the contractions inhibiting effect of the betamimetic drug fenoterol associated with decreased PGF2.alpha.- and increased prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis depends on the effect of progesterone in human, non-pregnant myometrium.