TY - JOUR
T1 - Functional effects of 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) on human myometrial contractility in vitro
AU - Sexton, Donal J.
AU - O'Reilly, Michael W.
AU - Friel, Anne M.
AU - Morrison, John J.
PY - 2004/12/7
Y1 - 2004/12/7
N2 - Background: 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) administration reportedly improves outcome for women with a previous spontaneous preterm delivery. This study, using in vitro strips of human uterine smooth muscle, aimed to investigate the direct non-genomic effects of 17P on spontaneous and induced contractions in tissues obtained during pregnancy, and in the nonpregnant state. Methods: Biopsies of human myometrium were obtained at elective cesarean section, and from hysterectomy specimens, and dissected strips suspended for isometric recordings. The effects of 17P (1 nmol/L -10 micro mol/L) on spontaneous and agonist-induced (oxytocin 0.5 nmol/L for pregnant, phenylephrine 10 μmol/L for non-pregnant) contractions were measured. Integrals of contractile activity, including the mean maximal inhibition values (MMI) observed at the maximal concentration, were compared with those from simultaneously run control strips. Results: There was no significant direct effect exerted by 17P on pregnant or non-pregnant human myometrial contractility. The MMI ± SEM for spontaneous contractions in pregnant myometrium was 4.9% ± 7.2 (n = 6; P = 0.309) and for oxytocin-induced contractions was 2.2% ± 1.3 (n = 6; P = 0.128). For non-pregnant myometrium, the MMI ± SEM for spontaneous contractions was 8.8% ± 11.0 (n = 6; P = 0.121) and for phenylephrine induced contractions was -7.9% ± 6.5 (n = 6; P = 0.966). Conclusions: The putative benefits of 17P for preterm labor prevention are not achieved, even partially, by a direct utero-relaxant effect. These findings outline the possibility that genomic effects of 17P, achieved over long periods of administration, are required for its reported therapeutic benefits.
AB - Background: 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17P) administration reportedly improves outcome for women with a previous spontaneous preterm delivery. This study, using in vitro strips of human uterine smooth muscle, aimed to investigate the direct non-genomic effects of 17P on spontaneous and induced contractions in tissues obtained during pregnancy, and in the nonpregnant state. Methods: Biopsies of human myometrium were obtained at elective cesarean section, and from hysterectomy specimens, and dissected strips suspended for isometric recordings. The effects of 17P (1 nmol/L -10 micro mol/L) on spontaneous and agonist-induced (oxytocin 0.5 nmol/L for pregnant, phenylephrine 10 μmol/L for non-pregnant) contractions were measured. Integrals of contractile activity, including the mean maximal inhibition values (MMI) observed at the maximal concentration, were compared with those from simultaneously run control strips. Results: There was no significant direct effect exerted by 17P on pregnant or non-pregnant human myometrial contractility. The MMI ± SEM for spontaneous contractions in pregnant myometrium was 4.9% ± 7.2 (n = 6; P = 0.309) and for oxytocin-induced contractions was 2.2% ± 1.3 (n = 6; P = 0.128). For non-pregnant myometrium, the MMI ± SEM for spontaneous contractions was 8.8% ± 11.0 (n = 6; P = 0.121) and for phenylephrine induced contractions was -7.9% ± 6.5 (n = 6; P = 0.966). Conclusions: The putative benefits of 17P for preterm labor prevention are not achieved, even partially, by a direct utero-relaxant effect. These findings outline the possibility that genomic effects of 17P, achieved over long periods of administration, are required for its reported therapeutic benefits.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=18144417507&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/1477-7827-2-80
DO - 10.1186/1477-7827-2-80
M3 - Article
C2 - 15585068
AN - SCOPUS:18144417507
SN - 1477-7827
VL - 2
JO - Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
JF - Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
M1 - 80
ER -