Role of the serotonergic pathway in uterotonic activity of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. - An in vitro and in vivo study.

Background: Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. has been used as a traditional medicine in inducing abortion in many countries.

Potent tocolytic activity of ethyl acetate fraction of Ananas comosus on rat and human uteri.

The aim of this study was to investigate the tocolytic properties of Ananas comosus extract in rat and human uterine tissue in vitro and in the rat in vivo. Organ bath technique was employed to perform functional studies in vitro. The PhysioTel transmitter was implanted in SD rats to measure the changes in intrauterine pressure (IUP) in vivo.

Endothelial colony forming cells from human umbilical cord blood improved severe erectile dysfunction in obese type II diabetic rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of intracavernous injection of human umbilical cord blood derived endothelial colony forming cells (HUCB ECFCs) on erectile dysfunction (ED) in Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rat model.

Methods: Erectile function was assessed by cavernous nerve electrostimulation in ZDF rats aged 20-28 weeks. Following confirmation of severe ED at the age of 28 weeks, 21 ZDF rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: 1 million ECFCs, 2 million ECFCs, and phosphate buffered saline (PBS).

Investigation of uterotonic properties of Ananas comosus extracts.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In folklore medicine Ananas comosus (pineapple) is reputed to act as an abortifacient and in expectant women as a means of inducing labor. Several reports have claimed abortifacient property of A. comosus fruit (ripe or unripe).

Characterizing behavior of corpus cavernosum in chloride-free condition.

Objective: To elucidate the role of chloride currents in erectile function through characterizing the behavior of corpus cavernosum (CC) in chloride-free (Cf) medium, which has not been evaluated before.

Methods: Isolated rabbit CC strips were suspended in thermo-regulated organ baths containing oxygenated Tyrode for isometric tension recording. Cf Tyrode was prepared by substituting sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride (KCl) with equivalent molar concentrations of sodium acetate, calcium acetate, and potassium acetate salts.

Role of chloride channels in the regulation of corpus cavernosum tone: a potential therapeutic target for erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: Recent electrophysiological recordings have identified the existence of outward, excitatory chloride (Cl(-)) currents in rat, rabbit, and human corpus cavernosum (CC) muscle cells.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the physiological role of Cl(-) currents in the maintenance of cavernosal muscle tone in isolated rabbit CC tissues.

Methods: CC strips (1 x 1 x 5 mm) were suspended in tissue bath chambers for isometric tension experiments.

Effect of sildenafil and rolipram on adrenergic responses in isolated human and monkey corpus cavernosum.

Objective: Evaluate and compare effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDEIs), sildenafil and rolipram, on adrenergic contractile responses of human and monkey cavernosal smooth muscle.

Methods: Human penises were obtained from patients undergoing gender reassignment surgery. Isolated human and monkey corpus cavernosum (CC) strips were suspended in tissue bath chambers for isometric tension experiments.

Mechanisms of direct relaxant effect of sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil on corpus cavernosum.

Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and verapamil induced concentration-dependent relaxation of the rabbit corpus cavernosum muscle precontracted with noradrenaline. The maximal relaxation (%) at 20 microM was 61.4 +/- 6.

Effects of propofol on guinea pig respiratory smooth muscle.

The effects of propofol on the tone of guinea pig respiratory smooth muscle was studied both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the activity of propofol on tracheal smooth muscle was investigated using a force displacement transducer for isometric tension responses. Isoproterenol was used as the control.