Intracellular mechanisms underlying prostaglandin-f2[alpha] stimulated phasic myometrial contractions. Phillippe, Mark, Trevania Saunders, Andrew Basa. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. 60637
APStracts 4:0136E, 1997.
These studies sought to test the hypothesis that PGF2[alpha] -stimulated phasic myometrial contractions are characterized by the activation of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway resulting in the generation of cytosolic calcium oscillations. For the experiments described in this report, rat myometrial tissue was utilized, after loading the tissue with Fura-2, to perform cytosolic calcium imaging studies and to perform computer digitalized in vitro isometric contraction studies. Consistent with the above hypothesis, the cytosolic calcium imaging studies demonstrated PGF2[alpha]-stimulated cytosolic calcium oscillations occurring simultaneously with phasic contractions. The in vitro isometric contraction studies confirmed that previously reported inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway and cytosolic calcium oscillation mechanisms resulted in significant inhibition of PGF2[alpha]-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions. In summary, these studies have provided substantial support for the hypothesis that PGF2[alpha]-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions are generated by intracellular signaling mechanisms involving activation of the phosphatidylinositol signaling pathway and the production of cytosolic calcium oscillation-like phenomena. 

Received 5 November 1996; accepted in final form 20 June 1997.
APS Manuscript Number E558-6.
Article publication pending Am. J. Physiol. (Endocrinol. Metab.).
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1997 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 10 July 1997