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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Contractility Measurements of Human Uterine Smooth Muscle to Aid Drug Development
Published on: January 26, 2018
The in vitro effects of clonidine and dexmedetomidine on human myometrium
1Department of Anaesthesia, Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore. athsia@kkh.com.sg
Background:
alpha(2)-adrenergic agonists have been used extensively in the field of anaesthesia. Their direct effect on the human myometrium was investigated in this in vitro study, as this may have clinical repercussions in obstetric anaesthesia.
Method:
Strips of pregnant human myometrium obtained from six individuals at elective caesarean section were mounted on the Mulvany myograph in Krebs solution to which increasing concentrations of clonidine and dexmedetomidine (1x10(-11) to 1x10(-6) g/mL) were added.
Results:
Dexmedetomidine increased uterine contractility at simulated clinical plasma concentrations (1x10(-9) g/mL). These effects were seen with clonidine only at much higher tissue bath concentrations (1x10(-7) g/mL).
Conclusion:
The effect of dexmedetomidine on human myometrium has profound implications in obstetric anaesthesia and needs further clinical investigation.
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