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Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
Published on: January 26, 2018
Oxytocic activity of thrombin: modulation of thrombin-induced gravid rat myometrial contractions by
Adebowale Adebiyi1, Ganesan P Adaikan, Rama N V Prasad
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National University of Singapore, National University Hospital, Singapore.
Background:
Thrombin possesses potent oxytocic activity in vitro and in vivo. This activity has been proposed to play a role in post-parturitional uterine contractions and possibly, preterm birth related to intrauterine hemorrhage. Previous workers have demonstrated that cyclo-oxygenase pathway may not play a significant role in oxytocic activity of thrombin. However, the role of 5-hydroxytryptamine (a mediator of some of the biological activities of thrombin) in the oxytocic activity of thrombin is unknown. The present study therefore aimed to examine the possible involvement of 5-hydroxytryptamine in thrombin-induced myometrial contractions.
Methods:
Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor antagonists on thrombin-induced contractions of isolated gravid rat myometrium was studied using isolated tissue bath system.
Results:
Thrombin-induced myometrial contractions were significantly and concentration-dependently inhibited by ketanserin and methysergide. Furthermore, 12 +/- 2% increase in the force of contractions of gravid rat myometrium pre-contracted with 5-hydroxytryptamine (1 microM) was provoked by 1 U/ml of thrombin. Thrombin-induced augmentation of the uterine stimulating effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine was characterized by pronounced increase in the contractile tone.
Conclusions:
5-hydroxytryptamine may possibly play a role in oxytocic activity of thrombin. Uterine hyperactivity associated with intrauterine hemorrhage could hence involve thrombin-induced 5-hydroxytryptamine production in the uterus.
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