Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

In vitro effects of opioids on pregnant uterine muscle

  • Published:
Advances in Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Opioids are often used for obstetric analgesia. Ideal obstetric analgesia is attained with optimal pain relief and minimal risk for the parturient. Therefore, investigators in the present study explored the effects of different opioids on the myometrium of pregnant rats. Myometrial strips were exposed to increased concentrations of fentanyl (10-8 M to 10-6 M), alfentanil (10-8 M to 10-4 M), remifentanil (10-8 M to 10-4 M), and meperidine (10-8 M to 10-4M). Decreased contractile activity was observed in myometrial strips isolated from pregnant rats at cumulative concentrations of fentanyl, alfentanil, remifentanil, and meperidine. The amplitude of contractions was reduced with increasing concentrations of opioids; this effect was statistically significant at a concentration of 10-4 M. When administered at higher concentrations, opioids may decrease contractions in pregnant rat myometrium.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Acevedo CG, Contreras E. Effects of morphine on the responses to acetylcholine and adrenaline in the mouse uterus.Cell Mol Biol. 1984; 30: 239–242.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Sivalingam T, Pleuvry BJ. Actions of morphine, pethidine and pentazocine on the oestrus and pregnant rat uterus in vitro.Br J Anaesth. 1985; 57: 430–433.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Fazackerley J, Pleuvry BJ. Stimulant action of pethidine on the pregnant rat uterus in vitro.J Pharm Pharmacol. 1987; 39: 491–492.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Campbell C, Phillips OC, Frazer TM. Analgesia during labour: a comparison of pentobarbital, meperidine and morphine.Obstet Gynecol. 1961; 17: 714–718.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zimmer EZ, Divon MY, Vadasz A. Influence of meperidine on fetal movements and heart rate beat-to-beat variability in the active phase of labor.Am J Perinatol. 1988; 5: 197–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Yoo KY, Lee J, Kim HS, Jeong SW. The effects of opioids on isolated human pregnant uterine muscles.Anesth Analg. 2001; 92: 1006–1009.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Cassard D, Mathon L, Dailler F, Golfier F, Tournadre JP, Bouletreau P. Extradural clonidine combined with sufentanil and 0.0625% bupivacaine for analgesia in labour.Br J Anaesth. 1996; 77: 458–462.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Steinberg RB, Dunn SM, Dixon DE, Rehn KL, Pastides H, Xu X. Comparison of sufentanil, bupivacaine and their combination for extradural analgesia in obstetrics.Reg Anesth. 1992; 17: 225–228.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Marshall JM. Regulation of activity in uterine smooth muscle.Physiol Rev. 1982; 42: 213–227.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Karsli B, Kayacan N, Kucukyavuz Z, Mimaroglu C. Effects of local anesthetics on pregnant uterine muscles.Pol J Pharmacol. 2003; 55: 51–56.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Longo M, Jain V, Vedernikov XP, et al. Effect of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide on uterine contractility during human and rat pregnancy.Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999; 181: 981–988.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Buhimschi CS, Saade GR, Buhimschi IA, Gokdeniz R, Boyle MB, Garfield RE. Effect of stimulatory and inhibitory drugs on uterine electrical activity measured noninvasively from the abdominal surface of pregnant rats.Am J Gynecol. 1999; 183: 68–75.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Kan RE, Hughes SC, Rosen MA, Kessin C, Preston PG, Lobo EP. Intravenous remifentanil: placental transfer, maternal and neonatal effects.Anesthesiology. 1988; 88: 1467–1474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Klockgether-Radke AP, Gravemann J, Kettler D, Hellige G. Influence of opioids on the vascular tone of isolated porcine coronary artery segments.Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2000; 44: 1134–1137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hanouz JL, Yvon A, Guesne G, et al. The in vitro effects of remifentanil, sufentanil, fentanyl and alfentanil on isolated human right atria.Anesth Analg. 2001; 93: 543–549.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Akdeniz University Medical Faculty, 07070, Antalya, Turkey

    Nurten Kayacan MD, F. Ertugrul MD, Gulbin Arici MD, Bilge Karsli MD & M. Erman MD

  2. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Turkey

    Munire Akar MD

Authors
  1. Nurten Kayacan MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Ertugrul MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gulbin Arici MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Bilge Karsli MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Munire Akar MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. Erman MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nurten Kayacan MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kayacan, N., Ertugrul, F., Arici, G. et al. In vitro effects of opioids on pregnant uterine muscle. Adv Therapy 24, 368–375 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02849906

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02849906

Keywords

Search

Navigation