Sanborn B M
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Houston Medical School, Houston, USA.
Semin Perinatol. 1995 Feb;19(1):31-40. doi: 10.1016/s0146-0005(95)80045-x.
Understanding the role of ion channels in the generation of slow waves and action potentials in the myometrium is critical in designing strategies to regulate uterine contractile activity. The development of the patch clamp technique has allowed the identification of specific types of channels in the myometrium and provided insights into their regulation by hormones and drugs. Specifically, new studies suggest that KATP and KCa channel openers could be important tools in the management of inappropriate uterine contractions, but peripheral effects will have to be controlled. Conversely, blockers of these same channels may have some effects on dystocia. The study of contractant-operated channels in the myometrium is still in its infancy, but promises new insights into possible modes of regulation as well. Myometrial activity is controlled at a number of levels. The regulation of ion channels is an important aspect, but receptor-mediated actions that do not appear to be voltage- or ion-dependent presumably are also important contributors and hence are sites of potential modulation as well. Clearly, future multifaceted approaches to tocolysis, and perhaps also dystocia, may well include agents targeting the activity of ion channels.
了解离子通道在子宫肌层慢波和动作电位产生中的作用对于设计调节子宫收缩活动的策略至关重要。膜片钳技术的发展使得能够识别子宫肌层中特定类型的通道，并深入了解激素和药物对它们的调节作用。具体而言，新的研究表明，KATP和KCa通道开放剂可能是治疗不适当子宫收缩的重要工具，但必须控制其外周效应。相反，这些相同通道的阻滞剂可能对难产有一些影响。子宫肌层中收缩剂作用通道的研究仍处于起步阶段，但也有望为可能的调节模式带来新的见解。子宫肌层活动在多个层面受到控制。离子通道的调节是一个重要方面，但受体介导的作用似乎不依赖电压或离子，大概也是重要的促成因素，因此也是潜在的调节位点。显然，未来用于宫缩抑制以及可能还有难产治疗的多方面方法很可能包括针对离子通道活性的药物。
