Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the in vitro effect of cocaine on β-adrenergic receptor function in pregnant human myometrium. STUDY DESIGN: Myometrium was obtained from 25 pregnant women at term who were undergoing cesarean section but who were not in labor. Membrane preparations were assayed for cyclic adenosine monophosphate production after exposure to isoproterenol, sodium fluoride, or forskolin in the presence and absence of either cocaine or benzoylecgonine, a major metabolite of cocaine. RESULTS: Cocaine inhibited isoproterenol-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate production in concentrations as low as 10 –8 mol/L but had no effect on cyclic adenosine monophosphate production induced by sodium fluoride or forskolin. Benzoylecgonine (10 –4 mol/L) had no effect on isoproterenol-induced cyclic adenosine monophosphate production. CONCLUSION: Cocaine is a β-adrenergic receptor antagonist in human myometrium at concentrations as low as 10 –8 mol/L. This acute effect of cocaine may result in increased uterine contractility with adrenergic stimulation, potentially leading to increased uterine activity associated with acute cocaine use. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:1651-3.)
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
