Muscular function
In vitro
Electric field stimulation
- This equipment is useful to investigate the contractility and pharmacological response of myometrium,
vasculature, gastrointestinal tract and any other type of muscles from all species. By the use of
an additional myograph for small vessels and whole rodent uterine horns both the longitudinal and
circular response can be detected separately at the same time. We are able to work even with human
myometrium strips purchased from cesarean sections, too (our department has the ethical permission
to conduct such experiments).
- The system can be used for any classical pharmacological experiments on isolated organs without electric
field. The investigation of alpha-adrenergic system is carried on by noradrenalin as agonist and
subtype selective antagonists also can be used (e.g. WB4101 as alpha1A selective, cyclazosine as
alpha 1B selective and BMY7378 as alpha1D selective antagonists). In this way both the
pharmacological response of the chosen tissue (e.g. vessels, myometrium, intestine) and new potent
alpha agonists/antagonist can be tested. The investigation of beta-adrenergic system is also
available by the use of selective beta2 receptor agonist (e.g. terbutaline, fenoterol, ritodrine)
especially in the case of uterine smooth muscle.
- Regarding to the muscarinergic system several tests is available. The classical small intestine
experiments are carried on with rat, guinea pig or rabbit ileum using carbachol or barium chloride
as agonists, and atropine as antagonist. This method offers a fast screening for compounds designed
to act through the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Besides these mean investigations some other tests are also available. The effect of oxytocin and
their antagonists (e.g. atosiban) can be tested using pregnant uterine tissue from rat or
guinea pig. The investigations of the vasculature isolated from rat, guinea pig, rabbit,
or human placental tissue are carried on in the presence of potassium chloride as contractile
agent or vasodilators like the nitrite derivatives or angiotensine receptor agonists and
antagonists (e.g. losartan).
- Apparatus : Physiograph, force transducer
- see :
In vivo
In vivo assessment of uterine activity
- This in vivo method is useful for evaluation of drugs acting on spontaneous myometrial contractility.
The post partum uterus of the rat has a quite regular activity, which can be increased or
decreased, depending on the tested agent. Most frequently potential tocolytic are tested and
compared by this assay.
- Apparatus : Physiograph, Pressure transducer
- see :
|
|
