Endocrine Abstracts

Prostaglandin E2 acts via 4 GPCRs, EP1-4. EP2 regulates inflammation and has important roles in cardiovascular function, reproduction, and malignancy. GPCR signalling and trafficking are highly integrated as signals from the endomembrane can exhibit distinct profiles from the plasma membrane. Whether EP2 activity is spatially regulated and if this is modified by ligand bias is currently unknown. In HEK 293 cells, three selective EP2 ligands, butaprost, AH13205, and PGN9856i, e...

Although oxytocin is a potent stimulant of myometrial contractions, its role in parturition is controversial. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the functional mechanisms of oxytocin receptors in isolated human myometrium before and after labour-onset.Myometrial biopsies were obtained from consenting women (aged 21–34 years) undergoing Caesarean section at term pregnancy, not in labour (n=6), or in early (n=6) or late (n<...

Dysfunctional prostanoid and oxytocin receptors have been implicated in the development of myometrial hyperactivity, causing dysmenorrhoea and infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the topographical differences in functional contractile PG and oxytocin receptors in mid-cycle isolated myometrium.Longitudinal, full-thickness sections of the anterior uterus were obtained from consenting pre-menopausal donors (aged 39–48 years) un...

The aim of this study was to simultaneously profile, using electrospray ionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS), prostanoids (PG) produced in samples of: pregnant preterm non labouring (PTNL); term non labouring (TNL): and term labouring (TL) myometrium.Lower segment samples were obtained at Caesarean section from consenting pregnant women (18–36 years of age) at term (38–41 weeks) and preterm (33 weeks) gestation. Sample...

The aim of this study was to simultaneously profile, using electrospraionization liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS), prostanoids (PG) produced in the pregnant labouring (L) and non labouring (NL) myometrium.Lower segment samples were obtained at Caesarean section from consenting pregnant women (18–36 years of age) at term gestation (38–41weeks). Samples were transported to the laboratory and immediately bathed in physiological ...

Both prostaglandin (PG) E2 and oxytocin are used clinically in the induction of labour. However, the functional co-expression of inhibitory PGE2 receptors (EP2) and contractile oxytocin receptors in lower segment myometrium is not fully understood. The aim of the present study was to elucidate EP2 agonist effects on oxytocin-induced myogenic contractions and to identify their combined action on intracellular calcium (Ca2+)...