High Fat High Sucrose Diet Modifies Uterine Contractility and Cervical Resistance in Pregnant Rats: The Roles of Sex Hormones, Adipokines and Cytokines.

Background: In obesity, the adipose tissue becomes a very significant endocrine organ producing different factors called adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin and kisspeptin; however, no data are available about their actions on uterine contraction in obese pregnant rats. Our aim was to study the impact of obesity on pregnant uterine contraction in a rat model.

Methods: Obesity was induced by the consumption of a high fat high sucrose diet (HFHSD) for 9 weeks, including pregnancy.

The Effect of Citral on Aquaporin 5 and Trpv4 Expressions and Uterine Contraction in Rat-An Alternative Mechanism.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are expressed in the uterus, playing a physiological role during pregnancy. An osmotic pathway-through AQP5-may modify the transient potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) function and uterine contraction. Our aim was to determine the role of TRPV4 antagonist citral in the regulation of pregnant uterine contraction.

Non-genomic actions of sex hormones on pregnant uterine contractility in rats: An in vitro study at term.

Aims: The non-genomic (prompt) actions of sex steroids on pregnant uterine contractility are not fully explored yet, the aim of our study was to clarify such effects of 17-β estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T) on late (22-day) pregnant uterine contractions together with the signaling pathways in rats in vitro.

Methods: The uterine effects of sex steroids on KCl-stimulated contractions were examined in the presence of genomic pathway blocker actinomycin D and cycloheximide, sex hormone receptor antagonists (flutamide, fulvestrant, mifepristone) and also after removing the endometrium. The modifications in uterine G-protein activation and cAMP levels were also detected.

Significance of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 and aquaporin 5 co-expression in the rat uterus at term.

Aims: Aquaporins (AQPs) are channel proteins that facilitate the rapid passive movement of water. In our studies it was proved that the decreased AQP5 expression is followed by the increase of uterine contractility. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a calcium channel, which is activated in response to osmotic changes.

Antispasmodic Activity of Prenylated Phenolic Compounds from the Root Bark of .

Black mulberry is a widely acknowledged ancient traditional medicine. Its extract and constituents have been reported to exert various bioactivities including antimicrobial, hypotensive, analgesic etc. effects.