Acute inhibition of spontaneous uterine contractions by an estrogenic polychlorinated biphenyl is associated with disruption of gap junctional communication

Mei Ling Tsai, Kimberley Cesen-Cummings, R. Clinton Webb, Rita Loch-Caruso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

An estrogenic polychlorinated biphenyl, 4-hydroxy-2',4',6'- trichlorobiphenyl (4-OH-TCB), inhibits oscillatory uterine contractions immediately. Because increased gap junction formation is associated with the development of synchronized uterine contractions at term, we examined whether the inhibitory effect of 4-OH-TCB on spontaneous oscillatory contractions was due to the disruption of gap junctional communication. The effect of 4-OH- TCB on gap junctional communication was determined by intercellular Lucifer yellow dye transfer in primary cultures of myometrial myocytes isolated from midgestation rats. Intercellular dye transfer was inhibited by 4-OH-TCB or 17β-estradiol in a concentration-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of 4-OH-TCB on intercellular dye transfer was reversed by tetraethylammonium (TEA). To examine effects on uterine contraction, longitudinal uterine strips were excised from midgestation rats and placed in muscle baths for isometric force measurement. Spontaneous uterine oscillation was suppressed by 4-OH- TCB or 17β-estradiol. The inhibitory effects of 4-OH-TCB and 17β-estradiol on spontaneous oscillations were counteracted by TEA but were not affected by a calcium ionophore (A23187) or a calcium-dependent potassium channel blocker (apamin). These results suggest that the acute inhibition of spontaneous oscillatory contractions by an estrogenic polychlorinated biphenyl may result from the disruption of intercellular communication.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)18-29
Number of pages12
JournalToxicology and Applied Pharmacology
Volume152
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1998
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Toxicology
  • Pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Acute inhibition of spontaneous uterine contractions by an estrogenic polychlorinated biphenyl is associated with disruption of gap junctional communication'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this