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Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation
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Endothelium-Dependent Potentiation by Cocaine of Serotonin-Induced Contractions in Sheep Fetal Umbilical Artery

Lubo Zhang, PhD

Center fo Perinatal Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Lonta Linda University School of Medicine, Lonta Linda, California; lzhang{at}ccmail.liu.edu

Xing-Qun Hu, PhD

Center fo Perinatal Biology, Department of Pharmacology, Lonta Linda University School of Medicine, Lonta Linda, California

Objective: To evaluate the potential role of the endothelium in cocaine-mediated potentiation of serotonin-induced contractions of fetal ovine umbilical artery.

Methods: Umbilical cords were isolated from near-term pregnant ewes (approximately 140 days). Serotonin-induced—dose-dependent contraction of the umbilical arteries was performed in the presence and absence of 3 µmol/L cocaine. The responses were compared before and after removal of the endothelium.

Results: Cocaine (3 µmol/L) potentiated serotonin-induced contractions in the endothelium-intact ovine fetal umbilical arteries and shifted the concentration-response curve to the left (median effective concentration: 2.69 ± 0.11 -> 1.23 ± 0.14 µmol/L, P < .01). The maximum response expressed as a percentage of maximum KCl was also significantly increased (167.4 ± 12.8 -> 216.2 ± 16.7, P < .05). Removal of the endothelium abolished the potentiation by cocaine of serotonin-induced contractions (median effective concentration: 1.35 ± 0.12 -> 1.51 ± 0.21 µmol/L, P > .05). the maximum responses were also the same (201.8 ± 14.3 -> 206.4 ± 16.5).

Conclusion: The results suggest that, in ovine fetal umbilical arteries, cocaine-mediated potentiation of serotonin-induced contractions is endothelium dependent.

Key Words: Cocaine • serotonin • umbilical artery (sheep) • endothelium

Journal of the Society for Gynecologic Investigation, Vol. 5, No. 2, 72-74 (1998)
DOI: 10.1177/107155769800500204
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