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  • Title: Gestational change of K+ channel opener effect is correlated with the expression of uterine KATP channel subunits.
    Author: Sawada K, Morishige K, Hashimoto K, Tasaka K, Kurachi H, Murata Y, Kurachi Y.
    Journal: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol; 2005 Sep 01; 122(1):49-56. PubMed ID: 16154039.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the gestational changes of pharmacological activity and molecular levels of KATP channels in rat myometrium. STUDY DESIGN: Using rat myometrium, the effects of K+ channel openers (KCOs) were examined in an isometric tension study of oxytocin-induced contraction. We also examined the effects of KCOs on the intracellular Ca2+ levels of cultured myometrial cells. The expression of myometrial KATP channels was assessed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: The effect of KCOs were altered during pregnancy, with a significant increase of their potency at day 18 of pregnancy followed by a decline towards the non-pregnant level at the day of delivery. KCOs suppressed the Ca2+ influx across the cell membrane. The mRNAs encoding each component of myometrial KATP channels, Kir6.1 and SUR2B, exhibited gestational stage-dependent alterations similar to those of the effects of KCOs. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that KCOs inhibit uterine myometrial contraction more effectively during pregnancy than in the non-pregnant state due to gestation-enhanced expression of KATP channels, implying that KCOs might be useful for preventing premature delivery.
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