A new tocolytic agent: development of an oxytocin antagonist for inhibiting uterine contractions

Article Abstract:

Oxytocin is a hormone involved in causing the uterus to contract during labor and signaling the letdown of milk for lactation. It is unclear how oxytocin, which is produced by the mother and the fetus, causes the progress of labor. Some researchers have suggested that before the onset of labor, the body increases the number of oxytocin receptor sites, places on the surface of uterine cells with a particular affinity for oxytocin, rather than increasing oxytocin secretion itself. Agents that compete with oxytocin for positions on the receptor sites could prevent the uptake of oxytocin, thereby inhibiting labor. This would be particularly useful in treating pregnancies complicated by early labor. A potent oxytocin antagonist was developed to inhibit the response of the muscle cells obtained from the uterine linings of rats and humans to oxytocin. The oxytocin antagonist was able to prevent contractions of oxytocin-stimulated nonpregnant rat uterus, it inhibited the letdown of milk in a lactating rat and it arrested the progress of labor in rats. Furthermore, the antagonist was able to inhibit the contractions of muscle cells obtained from a human uterus. On the basis of these results, it is concluded that oxytocin antagonist can potentially be used to inhibit preterm labor contractions in humans. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Drug therapy, Muscle contraction, Premature labor, Uterus, Uterine contractions, Oxytocin

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Three dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound in the diagnosis and follow-up of fetal vascular anomalies

Article Abstract:

The study is carried out to examine the value of 3-dimensional power Doppler (3DPD) ultrasound imaging in diagnosis and follow-up of fetal vascular anomalies. It is found that 3 DPD improved ultrasound visualization of the fetal vessels of the abdomen and thorax in normal and anomalous cases.

United States, Methods, Ultrasound imaging, Diagnosis, Fetal diseases, Blood circulation disorders, Vascular diseases

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The great tocolytic debate: some pitfalls in the study of safety

Article Abstract:

Many of the research studies done on tocolytic drugs are flawed, which could explain the conflicting evidence about their effectiveness and safety. Tocolytic drugs are drugs that stop premature uterine contractions.

Premature birth

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