Endogenous mast cell degranulation modulates cervical contractility in the XXXX .

@entity840 @entity750 @entity112
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of endogenous mast cell degranulation on the contractility of isolated cervical strips from nonpregnant and pregnant @entity840 . STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal cervical strips from nonpregnant and pregnant (mid and term) @entity840 were used for isometric tension recording. Responses to the mast cell degranulating agent, compound 48/80, were compared in the absence or presence of different inhibitors and receptor antagonists. Concentration-response curves were obtained to @entity112 and @entity750 in strips that were incubated with antagonists or solvent. RESULTS: Compound 48/80 and @entity112 significantly increased contractility of cervical strips in all 3 groups of animals. The inhibitor of mast cell degranulation significantly reduced responses to compound 48/80 and @entity112 -1 receptor antagonist reduced responses to @entity112 in all 3 groups. @entity112 -1 receptor antagonist significantly inhibited responses to compound 48/80 in nonpregnant and mid pregnant @entity840 . @entity112 -2 receptor antagonist did not alter responses to compound 48/80 nor to @entity112 . The receptor antagonist @entity750 -2 significantly inhibited cervical contractility that was induced by compound 48/80 in tissues from mid pregnant and term pregnant @entity840 . Lipoxygenase inhibitor was effective in mid pregnant @entity840 . Cyclooxygenase inhibitor, @entity750 , and a combination of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase inhibitors had no effect on cervical contractility. CONCLUSION: The degranulation of mast cells releases @entity112 and other mediators that stimulate cervical contractility through @entity112 -1 receptors. Cervical infiltration and modulation of contractility by mast cells may play an important physiologic and/or pathologic role in the control of cervical function during pregnancy.
