Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Prostaglandins liberated from the uterus in response to chemical and physical stimuli would be important modulators of uterine arterial tone and blood flow. This study was aimed at analyzing mechanisms of vasodilator action of prostaglandins in uterine arteries.STUDY DESIGN: Canine uterine artery strips were suspended in Ringer-Locke solutions for isometric tension recording.RESULTS: Prostaglandin F2α-induced relaxation was reversed to contraction by cyclooxygenase inhibitors and suppressed by tranylcypromine (prostaglandin I2 synthesis inhibitor) or diphloretin phosphate (an inhibitor of prostaglandin F2α and prostaglandin I2 actions) but was unaffected by endothelium denudation. Prostaglandin E2-induced relaxation was not attenuated by indomethacin but was partially inhibited by a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and endothelium denudation. Relaxation induced by beraprost (prostaglandin I2 analog) was suppressed by diphloretin phosphate but was not influenced by indomethacin and endothelium denudation.CONCLUSION: It appears that prostaglandin F2α-induced relaxation is mediated by prostaglandin I2 released from subendothelial tissues, whereas prostaglandin E2-induced relaxation is caused by release of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and also by an endothelium-independent mechanism.
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