I.L.O. Buxton et al
Cyclic GMP-independent action of NO in human myometrium
213
scorpion toxins block the eects of NO donors. That is, any
mechanism that leads to relaxation in smooth muscle tissues
with elevated calcium levels, as is the case in either
spontaneously active or agonist-stimulated myometrium,
from any cause, while drug-discovery based on cyclic GMP-
dependent mechanisms will likely fail.
+
can be expected to involve K -channel activity.
Thus, we predict that the target for NO that mediates
relaxation in uterine smooth muscle is distinct from that
found in other tissues and may be unique to the myometrial
cell. If we are correct, the search for a tocolytic based on this
unique K -channel, or K -channel associated target may
provide selective relaxation of preterm uterine contractions
The authors are grateful to Shannon Martin for technical
assistance with tissue acquisition and performing contractile
studies, and to Zosia Targosz for clerical assistance with the
manuscript. This work was supported in part by NIH HD56422
and HL35416 to I.L.O. Buxton and a grant from the Robert Z.
Hawkins Foundation.
+
+
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British Journal of Pharmacology vol 134 (1)