Involvement of K+ channels in the relaxant responses to various agonists in estrogen primed rat uterus

Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1995 Apr;39(2):140-4.

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effects of K+ channel openers in the relaxant responses to various agonists in estrogen primed rat uterus. Adrenaline and isoprenaline produced a dose-dependent relaxation in the estrogen primed rat uterus. The relaxant responses were found to be significantly potentiated when the preparations were exposed to PSS devoid of calcium. The responses to isoprenaline were found to be greater in the preparations depolarized with 40 mM KCl instead of 80 mM KCl. KCl failed to produce any contractile effect in the presence of D-600. Further, the addition of D-600 completely relaxed the KCl depolarized rat uterus. Pinacidil and cromakalim failed to relax 80 mM KCl depolarized rat uterus. However, they produced dose-dependent relaxation in the preparations depolarized with 40 mM KCl. The relaxant responses to pinacidil and cromakalim were competitively blocked by procaine. However, they were not altered by either propranolol or cimetidine. The relaxant responses to isoprenaline and histamine were found to be potentiated by pinacidil and cromakalim. These results indicate that in rat uterus in addition to adenylate cyclase c-AMP, potassium channels are also involved in the relaxant responses to isoprenaline and histamine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzopyrans / pharmacology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cromakalim
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Epinephrine / administration & dosage
  • Epinephrine / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Estrogens / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Guanidines / pharmacology
  • Histamine / pharmacology
  • Isoproterenol / administration & dosage
  • Muscle Relaxation
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects
  • Pinacidil
  • Potassium Channels / agonists*
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Uterine Contraction / drug effects
  • Uterus / drug effects*
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Benzopyrans
  • Estrogens
  • Guanidines
  • Potassium Channels
  • Pyrroles
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Cromakalim
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Pinacidil
  • Histamine
  • Isoproterenol
  • Calcium
  • Epinephrine