Comparative effects of sodium azide and aminophylline on the rat isolated uterus during muscle activation.

Sodium azide is a strong inhibitor of the tonic component of contraction produced by oxytocin, whereas aminophylline produces almost equal inhibition of all types of activation of the isolated rat uterus. Both substances inhibited the spontaneous rhythmic activity of the uterus. The effect of sodium azide is easily reversed by calcium. The results are taken to indicate a complex relation between calcium and substances which stimulate metabolism either of cGMP (sodium azide) or cAMP (aminophylline) in producing relaxation of the isolated rat uterus.