Open AccessEffects of cadmium on myometrial activity of the nonpregnant human. Interactions with calcium and oxytocin
Author(s) -
Sipowicz Marek,
Kostrzewska Anna,
Laudanski Tadeusz,
Åkerlund Mats
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.3109/00016349509008914
Subject(s) - oxytocin , cadmium , endocrinology , medicine , calcium , cadmium exposure , contraction (grammar) , myometrium , uterine contraction , chemistry , uterus , toxicity , organic chemistry
With respect to recent reports suggesting an involvement of cadmium in preterm labor, the effects of this ion on the activity of myometrial strips from term pregnant women were examined. The interactions of cadmium with calcium and oxytocin on myometrial activity were also studied. Cadmium alone inhibited spontaneous contractile activity already in a concentration of 10 −9 M and in 10 −3 M myometrial contractions were almost completely abolished. Responses to Ca 2+ and oxytocin were significantly increased by exposure to cadmium in low concentration (10 −9 M‐10 −8 M), whereas higher concentration of Cd 2+ had inhibitory action. These results suggest that cadmium not only blocks Ca 2+ channels in the human my‐ometrium. but also interferes with intracellular mechanisms involved in excitation‐contraction coupling. The increased responses to Ca 2+ and oxytocin in the presence of low amounts of Cd 2+ support a role of cadmium in mechanisms of preterm labor.