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Human Reproduction, Vol. 18, No. 1, 148-151, January 2003
© 2003 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology

Effects of L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside on the spontaneous contractility of human non-pregnant uterus

P. Hoffmann1, F. Stanke-Labesque2, R. Fanchin3, N. Dilaï1, J.C. Pons1 and J.M. Ayoubi1

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and 2 Laboratory of Pharmacology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, BP219, 38043 Grenoble, Cedex 9 and 3 Department of obstetrics and Gynaecology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Hospital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France 4 To whom correspondence should be addressed. e-mail: PHoffmann{at}chu-grenoble.fr

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate, in isolated human non-gravid myometrium, the involvement of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in nitric oxide (NO) induced relaxation. METHODS: Strips of human myometrium from hysterectomized women were suspended in organ baths for recording of isometric tension. Cumulative concentration-response curves for L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside were performed in the presence of methylene blue (10 µmol/l) or vehicle (control). The effect of increasing concentrations of 8-bromo-cGMP on uterine spontaneous contraction was also studied. RESULTS: L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside induced a concentration-dependent decrease in the amplitude of the myometrial spontaneous contractions. Pre-treatment with methylene blue enhanced the inhibitory effect of L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside on myometrial spontaneous contractions. In addition, 8-bromo-cGMP had no effect on spontaneous contractions in human myometrium. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide evidence that L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside inhibit the spontaneous contractions of the non-pregnant human uterus through a cGMP independent pathway.

Key words: cGMP pathway/human non-pregnant uterus/methylene blue/nitric oxide


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