Human Reproduction, Vol 12, 561-568, Copyright © 1997 by Oxford University Press
PR Gangula, YL Dong and C Yallampalli
We examined if rat myometrial cells in culture generate nitric oxide (NO)
and express various isoforms of NO synthase (NOS). Myometrial cells
isolated from rats on day 18 of gestation were incubated with various
stimulators and inhibitors of NOS for 24 and 48 h, and NO production was
evaluated by measuring nitrites in the media and NOS proteins in the cell
lysates. NO was produced by myometrial cells and its production inhibited
by N(G)-methyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA). This inhibition was reversed by
L-arginine (3 mM). Interleukin-1beta (IL- 1beta) significantly stimulated
NO production, in a dose-dependent manner. The IL-1beta-stimulated NO
production was inhibited by the NOS inhibitor, L-NMMA, whose effects were
reversed by L-arginine. Abundant NOS III protein was detectable in freshly
isolated myometrial cells, and this was maintained in culture in the
presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS; 10%). In the absence of FBS, NOS III
levels decreased significantly (by 90%) within 24 h. In contrast, NOS I and
NOS II proteins were undetectable in freshly isolated muscle cells and in
cells cultured without IL-1beta. However, NOS II protein in these cells was
induced by IL-1beta. Thus, NO is produced by myometrial cells through the
NOS III isoform, and the myometrial NO may be important in maintaining
uterine quiescence during pregnancy.
ARTICLES
Rat myometrial smooth muscle cells express endothelial nitric oxide synthase
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555, USA.
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