Endothelin contracts human uterine myometrium by a partly dihydropyridine-sensitive mechanism.

The effect of endothelin (ET), a recently discovered 21-amino-acid polypeptide with powerful vasoconstrictor properties, was examined on human uterine myometrial strips in vitro. ET dose-dependently (10(-11)-10(-7) M) increased the contractile force (monitored as contraction amplitude) of the myometrium with significant effects at 10(-8) and 10(-7) M. ET (10(-8) M and up) also increased the basal tone of the myometrium. The calcium channel blocking agents nifedipine (10(-7) M) and diltiazem (10(-6) M) both inhibited the spontaneous tonic contractions of the myometrium. When ET was given in the presence of nifedipine, the tonic contractions were further inhibited, whereas the ET-induced increase in basal tone remained. The same result was obtained with diltiazem (10(-6) M). The results indicate that the contractility of human myometrium may be modulated by ET, and that the effects of ET on the human myometrium are only partly mediated by dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels.