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The Effects of Imatinib on the Parameters of Contraction in Rat Myometrium Exposed to Different Hormonal Levels
Author(s) -
Uzomah Onyeka Nkolika,
Pelaez Nancy
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.734.9
Subject(s) - myometrium , isometric exercise , contractility , endocrinology , medicine , hormone , contraction (grammar) , imatinib , uterine horns , estrous cycle , uterus , biology , chemistry , myeloid leukemia
The discovery of myometrial telocytes (MT) suggests a potential role in regulating spontaneous contractile activity (SCA). Currently, the function of MT remains unknown. Here we address the hypothesis that MT mediate the action of hormones that are known to modify myometrial SCA. SCA of myometrial rings from retired breeder rats were investigated in vitro using an isometric muscle bath in the presence/absence of imatinib, a drug reported to block MT activity. Results from rats at different phases of their cycle show that imatinib causes a significant decrease in the frequency of SCA during the metestrus phase. This was true for the proximal, mid‐sectional, and distal ends of the uterine horn. However, at the metestrus phase, the force magnitude and the integral of force over time of the SCA remained unaffected by imatinib, indicating that MT may influence SCA frequency without affecting the contractile force. Preliminary results with uterus isolated during the proestrus phase showed inconsistency in contractile magnitude and frequency. We anticipate that MT activity modifies SCA according to the estrus phase of the animal and thus mediates the effect of normal hormonal changes on myometrial contractility. Research supported by the NSF Midwest AGEP Program.