Telmisartan Is a Promising Agent for Managing Neuropathic Pain and Delaying Opioid Analgesic Tolerance in Rats.

Despite the large arsenal of analgesic medications, neuropathic pain (NP) management is not solved yet. Angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) has been identified as a potential target in NP therapy. Here, we investigate the antiallodynic effect of AT1 blockers telmisartan and losartan, and particularly their combination with morphine on rat mononeuropathic pain following acute or chronic oral administration. The impact of telmisartan on morphine analgesic tolerance was also assessed using the rat tail-flick assay. Morphine potency and efficacy in spinal cord samples of treated neuropathic animals were assessed by [35S]GTPγS-binding assay. Finally, the glutamate content of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was measured by capillary electrophoresis. Oral telmisartan or losartan in higher doses showed an acute antiallodynic effect. In the chronic treatment study, the combination of subanalgesic doses of telmisartan and morphine ameliorated allodynia and resulted in a leftward shift in the dose-response curve of morphine in the [35S]GTPγS binding assay and increased CSF glutamate content. Telmisartan delayed morphine analgesic-tolerance development. Our study has identified a promising combination therapy composed of telmisartan and morphine for NP and opioid tolerance. Since telmisartan is an inhibitor of AT1 and activator of PPAR-γ, future studies are needed to analyze the effect of each component.

Unique, Specific CART Receptor-Independent Regulatory Mechanism of CART(55-102) Peptide in Spinal Nociceptive Transmission and Its Relation to Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 (DDP4).

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides are involved in several physiological and pathological processes, but their mechanism of action is unrevealed due to the lack of identified receptor(s). We provided evidence for the antihyperalgesic effect of CART(55-102) by inhibiting dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) in astrocytes and consequently reducing neuroinflammation in the rat spinal dorsal horn in a carrageenan-evoked inflammation model. Both naturally occurring CART(55-102) and CART(62-102) peptides are present in the spinal cord. CART(55-102) is not involved in acute nociception but regulates spinal pain transmission during peripheral inflammation. While the full-length peptide with a globular motif contributes to hyperalgesia, its N-terminal inhibits this process. Although the anti-hyperalgesic effects of CART(55-102), CART(55-76), and CART(62-76) are blocked by opioid receptor antagonists in our inflammatory models, but not in neuropathic Seltzer model, none of them bind to any opioid or G-protein coupled receptors. DPP4 interacts with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling in spinal astrocytes and enhances the TLR4-induced expression of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha contributing to inflammatory pain. Depending on the state of inflammation, CART(55-102) is processed in the spinal cord, resulting in the generation of biologically active isoleucine-proline-isoleucine (IPI) tripeptide, which inhibits DPP4, leading to significantly decreased glia-derived cytokine production and hyperalgesia.

Fentanyl but Not Morphine or Buprenorphine Improves the Severity of Necrotizing Acute Pancreatitis in Rats.

Opioids are widely used for the pain management of acute pancreatitis (AP), but their impact on disease progression is unclear. Therefore, our aim was to study the effects of clinically relevant opioids on the severity of experimental AP. Various doses of fentanyl, morphine, or buprenorphine were administered as pre- and/or post-treatments in rats. Necrotizing AP was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of L-ornithine-HCl or intra-ductal injection of Na-taurocholate, while intraperitoneal caerulein administration caused edematous AP. Disease severity was determined by laboratory and histological measurements. Mu opioid receptor (MOR) expression and function was assessed in control and AP animals. MOR was expressed in both the pancreas and brain. The pancreatic expression and function of MOR were reduced in AP. Fentanyl post-treatment reduced necrotizing AP severity, whereas pre-treatment exacerbated it. Fentanyl did not affect the outcome of edematous AP. Morphine decreased vacuolization in edematous AP, while buprenorphine pre-treatment increased pancreatic edema during AP. The overall effects of morphine on disease severity were negligible. In conclusion, the type, dosing, administration route, and timing of opioid treatment can influence the effects of opioids on AP severity. Fentanyl post-treatment proved to be beneficial in AP. Clinical studies are needed to determine which opioids are best in AP.

Selective MOR activity of DAPEA and Endomorphin-2 analogues containing a (R)-γ-Freidinger lactam in position two.

The use of α-amino-γ lactam of Freidinger (Agl) may serve as an impressive method to increase the biological stability of peptides and an appropriate tool to elucidate their structure-activity relationships. The endomorphin-2 (EM-2) and [D-Ala2, des-Leu5] enkephalin amide (DAPEA) are two linear opioid tetrapeptides agonists of MOR and MOR/DOR respectively. Herein, we investigated the influence of the incorporation of (R/S)-Agl in position 2 and 3 on the biological profile of the aforementioned products in vitro and in vivo. Receptor radiolabeled displacement and functional assays were used to measure in vitro the binding affinity and receptors activation of the novel analogues. The mouse tail flick and formalin tests allowed to observe their antinociceptive effect in vivo. Data revealed that peptide A2D was able to selectively bind and activate MOR with a potent antinociceptive effect after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration, performing better than the parent compounds EM-2 and DAPEA. Molecular docking calculations helped us to understand the key role exerted by the Freidinger Agl moiety in A2D for the interaction with the MOR binding pocket.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines: Potential Links between the Endocannabinoid System and the Kynurenine Pathway in Depression.

Substance use/abuse is one of the main causes of depressive symptoms. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids in particular gained significant popularity in the past years. There is an increasing amount of clinical data associating such compounds with the inflammatory component of depression, indicated by the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are also well-known to regulate the enzymes of the kynurenine pathway (KP), which is responsible for metabolizing tryptophan, a precursor in serotonin synthesis. Enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels may over-activate the KP, leading to tryptophan depletion and reduced serotonin levels, which can subsequently precipitate depressive symptoms. Therefore, such mechanism might represent a possible link between the endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the KP in depression, via the inflammatory and dysregulated serotonergic component of the disorder. This review will summarize the data regarding those natural and synthetic cannabinoids that increase pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, the data on such cytokines associated with KP activation will be further reviewed accordingly. The interaction of the ECS and the KP has been postulated and demonstrated in some studies previously. This review will further contribute to this yet less explored connection and propose the KP to be the missing link between cannabinoid-induced inflammation and depressive symptoms.

Pharmacological Evidence on Augmented Antiallodynia Following Systemic Co-Treatment with GlyT-1 and GlyT-2 Inhibitors in Rat Neuropathic Pain Model.

The limited effect of current medications on neuropathic pain (NP) has initiated large efforts to develop effective treatments. Animal studies showed that glycine transporter (GlyT) inhibitors are promising analgesics in NP, though concerns regarding adverse effects were raised. We aimed to study NFPS and Org-25543, GlyT-1 and GlyT-2 inhibitors, respectively and their combination in rat mononeuropathic pain evoked by partial sciatic nerve ligation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glycine content was also determined by capillary electrophoresis. Subcutaneous (s.c.) 4 mg/kg NFPS or Org-25543 showed analgesia following acute administration (30-60 min). Small doses of each compound failed to produce antiallodynia up to 180 min after the acute administration. However, NFPS (1 mg/kg) produced antiallodynia after four days of treatment. Co-treatment with subanalgesic doses of NFPS (1 mg/kg) and Org-25543 (2 mg/kg) produced analgesia at 60 min and thereafter meanwhile increased significantly the CSF glycine content. This combination alleviated NP without affecting motor function. Test compounds failed to activate G-proteins in spinal cord. To the best of our knowledge for the first time we demonstrated augmented analgesia by combining GlyT-1 and 2 inhibitors. Increased CSF glycine content supports involvement of glycinergic system. Combining selective GlyT inhibitors or developing non-selective GlyT inhibitors might have therapeutic value in NP.

On the Role of Peripheral Sensory and Gut Mu Opioid Receptors: Peripheral Analgesia and Tolerance.

There is growing evidence on the role of peripheral µ-opioid receptors (MORs) in analgesia and analgesic tolerance. Opioid analgesics are the mainstay in the management of moderate to severe pain, and their efficacy in the alleviation of pain is well recognized. Unfortunately, chronic treatment with opioid analgesics induces central analgesic tolerance, thus limiting their clinical usefulness. Numerous molecular mechanisms, including receptor desensitization, G-protein decoupling, ß-arrestin recruitment, and alterations in the expression of peripheral MORs and microbiota have been postulated to contribute to the development of opioid analgesic tolerance. However, these studies are largely focused on central opioid analgesia and tolerance. Accumulated literature supports that peripheral MORs mediate analgesia, but controversial results on the development of peripheral opioid receptors-mediated analgesic tolerance are reported. In this review, we offer evidence on the consequence of the activation of peripheral MORs in analgesia and analgesic tolerance, as well as approaches that enhance analgesic efficacy and decrease the development of tolerance to opioids at the peripheral sites. We have also addressed the advantages and drawbacks of the activation of peripheral MORs on the sensory neurons and gut (leading to dysbiosis) on the development of central and peripheral analgesic tolerance.

Comparisons of In Vivo and In Vitro Opioid Effects of Newly Synthesized 14-Methoxycodeine-6-O-sulfate and Codeine-6-O-sulfate.

The present work represents the in vitro (potency, affinity, efficacy) and in vivo (antinociception, constipation) opioid pharmacology of the novel compound 14-methoxycodeine-6-O-sulfate (14-OMeC6SU), compared to the reference compounds codeine-6-O-sulfate (C6SU), codeine and morphine. Based on in vitro tests (mouse and rat vas deferens, receptor binding and [35S]GTPγS activation assays), 14-OMeC6SU has µ-opioid receptor-mediated activity, displaying higher affinity, potency and efficacy than the parent compounds. In rats, 14-OMeC6SU showed stronger antinociceptive effect in the tail-flick assay than codeine and was equipotent to morphine, whereas C6SU was less efficacious after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. Following intracerebroventricular injection, 14-OMeC6SU was more potent than morphine. In the Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia, 14-OMeC6SU and C6SU in s.c. doses up to 6.1 and 13.2 µmol/kg, respectively, showed peripheral antihyperalgesic effect, because co-administered naloxone methiodide, a peripherally acting opioid receptor antagonist antagonized the measured antihyperalgesia. In addition, s.c. C6SU showed less pronounced inhibitory effect on the gastrointestinal transit than 14-OMeC6SU, codeine and morphine. This study provides first evidence that 14-OMeC6SU is more effective than codeine or C6SU in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, despite C6SU peripheral antihyperalgesic effects with less gastrointestinal side effects the superiority of 14-OMeC6SU was obvious throughout the present study.

Discovery of Novel µ-Opioid Receptor Inverse Agonist from a Combinatorial Library of Tetrapeptides through Structure-Based Virtual Screening.

Morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and other µ-opioid receptors (MOR) agonists have been used for decades in antinociceptive therapies. However, these drugs are associated with numerous side effects, such as euphoria, addiction, respiratory depression, and adverse gastrointestinal reactions, thus, circumventing these drawbacks is of extensive importance. With the aim of identifying novel peptide ligands endowed with MOR inhibitory activity, we developed a virtual screening protocol, including receptor-based pharmacophore screening, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations, which was used to filter an in-house built virtual library of tetrapeptide ligands. The three top-scored compounds were synthesized and subjected to biological evaluation, revealing the identity of a hit compound (peptide 1) endowed with appreciable MOR inverse agonist effect and selectivity over δ-opioid receptors. These results confirmed the reliability of our computational approach and provided a promising starting point for the development of new potent MOR modulators.

Kynurenines and the Endocannabinoid System in Schizophrenia: Common Points and Potential Interactions.

Schizophrenia, which affects around 1% of the world's population, has been described as a complex set of symptoms triggered by multiple factors. However, the exact background mechanisms remain to be explored, whereas therapeutic agents with excellent effectivity and safety profiles have yet to be developed. Kynurenines and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) play significant roles in both the development and manifestation of schizophrenia, which have been extensively studied and reviewed previously. Accordingly, kynurenines and the ECS share multiple features and mechanisms in schizophrenia, which have yet to be reviewed. Thus, the present study focuses on the main common points and potential interactions between kynurenines and the ECS in schizophrenia, which include (i) the regulation of glutamatergic/dopaminergic/γ-aminobutyric acidergic neurotransmission, (ii) their presence in astrocytes, and (iii) their role in inflammatory mechanisms. Additionally, promising pharmaceutical approaches involving the kynurenine pathway and the ECS will be reviewed herein.

Exploring the first Rimonabant analog-opioid peptide hybrid compound, as bivalent ligand for CB1 and opioid receptors.

Cannabinoid (CB) and opioid systems are both involved in analgesia, food intake, mood and behavior. Due to the co-localization of µ-opioid (MOR) and CB1 receptors in various regions of the central nervous system (CNS) and their ability to form heterodimers, bivalent ligands targeting to both these systems may be good candidates to investigate the existence of possible cross-talking or synergistic effects, also at sub-effective doses. In this work, we selected from a small series of new Rimonabant analogs one CB1R reverse agonist to be conjugated to the opioid fragment Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-NH2. The bivalent compound (9) has been used for in vitro binding assays, for in vivo antinociception models and in vitro hypothalamic perfusion test, to evaluate the neurotransmitters release.

Interactions between the Kynurenine and the Endocannabinoid System with Special Emphasis on Migraine.

Both the kynurenine and the endocannabinoid systems are involved in several neurological disorders, such as migraine and there are increasing number of reports demonstrating that there are interactions of two systems. Although their cooperation has not yet been implicated in migraine, there are reports suggesting this possibility. Additionally, the individual role of the endocannabinoid and kynurenine system in migraine is reviewed here first, focusing on endocannabinoids, kynurenine metabolites, in particular kynurenic acid. Finally, the function of NMDA and cannabinoid receptors in the trigeminal system-which has a crucial role in the pathomechanisms of migraine-will also be discussed. The interaction of the endocannabinoid and kynurenine system has been demonstrated to be therapeutically relevant in a number of pathological conditions, such as cannabis addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Accordingly, the cross-talk of these two systems may imply potential mechanisms related to migraine, and may offer new approaches to manage the treatment of this neurological disorder.

The effects of progesterone on the alpha2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in late-pregnant uterine contractions in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The adrenergic system and progesterone play major roles in the control of the uterine function. Our aims were to clarify the changes in function and expression of the α2-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes after progesterone pretreatment in late pregnancy. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats from pregnancy day 15 were treated with progesterone for 7 days. The myometrial expressions of the α2-AR subtypes were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In vitro contractions were stimulated with (-)-noradrenaline, and its effect was modified with the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (α2A), ARC 239 (α2B/C) and spiroxatrine (α2A). The accumulation of myometrial cAMP was also measured. The activated G-protein level was investigated via GTPγS binding assays. RESULTS: Progesterone pretreatment decreased the contractile effect of (-)-noradrenaline through the α2-ARs. The most significant reduction was found through the α2B-ARs. The mRNA of all of the α2-AR subtypes was increased. Progesterone pretreatment increased the myometrial cAMP level in the presence of BRL 44408 (p < 0.001), spiroxatrine (p < 0.001) or the spiroxatrine + BRL 44408 combination (p < 0.05). Progesterone pretreatment increased the G-protein-activating effect of (-)-noradrenaline in the presence of the spiroxatrine + BRL 44408 combination. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of the α2-AR subtypes is progesterone-sensitive. It decreases the contractile response of (-)-noradrenaline through the α2B-AR subtype, blocks the function of α2A-AR subtype and alters the G protein coupling of these receptors, promoting a Gs-dependent pathway. A combination of α2C-AR agonists and α2B-AR antagonists with progesterone could be considered for the treatment or prevention of preterm birth.

Evaluation of the analgesic effect of 4-anilidopiperidine scaffold containing ureas and carbamates.

Fentanyl is a powerful opiate analgesic typically used for the treatment of severe and chronic pain, but its prescription is strongly limited by the well-documented side-effects. Different approaches have been applied to develop strong analgesic drugs with reduced pharmacologic side-effects. One of the most promising is the design of multitarget drugs. In this paper we report the synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of twelve new 4-anilidopiperidine (fentanyl analogues). In vivo hot-Plate test, shows a moderate antinociceptive activity for compounds OMDM585 and OMDM586, despite the weak binding affinity on both µ and δ-opioid receptors. A strong inverse agonist activity in the GTP-binding assay was revealed suggesting the involvement of alternative systems in the brain. Fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibition was evaluated, together with binding assays of cannabinoid receptors. We can conclude that compounds OMDM585 and 586 are capable to elicit antinociception due to their multitarget activity on different systems involved in pain modulation.

The effects of estrogen on the α2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in rat uterine function in late pregnancy in vitro.

AIM: To assess the effect of 17ß-estradiol pretreatment on the function and expression of α2- adrenergic receptors (ARs) subtypes in late pregnancy in rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats (n=37) were treated with 17ß-estradiol for 4 days starting from the 18th day of pregnancy. The myometrial expression of the α2-AR subtypes was determined by real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. In vitro contractions were stimulated with (-)-noradrenaline, and its effect was modified with the selective antagonists BRL 44408 (α2A), ARC 239 (α2B/C), and spiroxatrine (α2A). The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was also measured. The activated G-protein level was investigated by guanosine 5'-O-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTPγS) binding assay. RESULTS: 17ß-estradiol pretreatment decreased the contractile effect of (-)-noradrenaline via the α2-ARs, and abolished the contractile effect via the α2B-ARs. All the α2-AR subtypes' mRNA was significantly decreased. 17ß-estradiol pretreatment significantly increased the myometrial cAMP level in the presence of BRL 44408 (P=0.001), ARC 239 (P=0.007), and spiroxatrine (P=0.045), but did not modify it in the presence of spiroxatrine + BRL 44408 combination (P=0.073). It also inhibited the G-protein-activating effect of (-)-noradrenaline by 25% in the presence of BRL 44408 + spiroxatrine combination. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of the α2-AR subtypes is sensitive to 17ß-estradiol, which decreases the contractile response of (-)-noradrenaline via the α2B-AR subtype, and might cause changes in G-protein signaling pathway. Estrogen dysregulation may be responsible for preterm labor or uterine inertia via the α2-ARs.

Further Characterization of Hemopressin Peptide Fragments in the Opioid and Cannabinoid Systems.

BACKGROUND: Hemopressin, so-called because of its hypotensive effect, belongs to the derivatives of the hemoglobin α-chain. It was isolated from rat brain membrane homogenate by the use of catalytically inactive forms of endopeptidase 24.15 and neurolysin. Hemopressin has antihyperalgesic features that cannot be prevented by the opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated whether hemopressin (PVNFKFLSH) and its C-terminally truncated fragment hemopressin 1-7 (PVNFKFL) have any influence on opioid-dependent signaling. Peptides have been analyzed using G-protein-stimulating functional and receptor bindings in this experimental setup. RESULTS: These 2 compounds efficiently activated the G-proteins, and naloxone slightly blocked this stimulation. At the same time, they were able to displace radiolabeled [3H]DAMGO, a selective ligand for µ-opioid system, at micromolar concentrations. Displacement caused by the heptapeptide was more modest compared with hemopressin. Experiments performed on cell lines overexpressing µ-opioid receptors verified the opioid activity of both hemopressins. Moreover, the CB1 cannabinoid receptor antagonist, AM251, significantly decreased their G-protein stimulatory effect. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we further confirm that hemopressins can modulate CB1 receptors and can have a slight modulatory effect on the opioid system.

Food-inspired peptides from spinach Rubisco endowed with antioxidant, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.

Rubiscolin-6 (amino acid sequence: YPLDLF) is a selective δ-opioid receptor peptide isolated from spinach Rubisco. Its synthetic analogue, peptide YPMDIV is the most potent described so far for its increased opioid activity, thus in this work it was considered as lead compound for the design of twelve new analogues e.g. LMAS1-12. Firstly all the novel compounds have been tested for their antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory capacity in vitro and in vivo in order to evaluate their ability to maintain or loss the original activity. Among them peptides LMAS5-8 gave the best results, thus their antioxidant properties have been investigated along with their enzymatic inhibitory ability. Peptide LMAS6 shows a strong antioxidant (154.25 mg TE/g CUPRAC) and inhibitor activity on tyrosinase (84.49 mg KAE/g), indicating a potential role in food industry as anti-browning agent, while peptides LMAS5 and LMAS7 possess a modest cholinesterase inhibitory activity suggesting a conceivable use for nutraceuticals production.

Synthesis and biochemical evaluation of 17-N-beta-aminoalkyl-4,5α-epoxynormorphinans.

Opiate alkaloids and their synthetic derivatives are still widely used in pain management, drug addiction, and abuse. To avoid serious side effects, compounds with properly designed pharmacological profiles at the opioid receptor subtypes are long needed. Here a series of 17-N-substituted derivatives of normorphine and noroxymorphone analogues with five- and six-membered ring substituents have been synthesized for structure-activity study. Some compounds showed nanomolar affinity to MOR, DOR and KOR in in vitro competition binding experiments with selective agonists [3H]DAMGO, [3H]Ile5,6-deltorphin II and [3H]HS665, respectively. Pharmacological characterization of the compounds in G-protein signaling was determined by [35S]GTPγS binding assays. The normorphine analogues showed higher affinity to KOR compared to MOR and DOR, while most of the noroxymorphone derivatives did not bind to KOR. The presence of 14-OH substituent resulted in a shift in the pharmacological profiles in the agonist > partial agonist > antagonist direction compared to the parent compounds. A molecular docking-based in silico method was also applied to estimate the pharmacological profile of the compounds. Docking energies and the patterns of the interacting receptor atoms, obtained with experimentally determined active and inactive states of MOR, were used to explain the observed pharmacological features of the compounds.

Mu opioid receptor mRNA expression, binding, and functional coupling to G-proteins in human epileptic hippocampus.

Mu opioid receptors (MOR) are known to be involved in seizure activity. The main goal of the present study was to characterize the MOR mRNA expression, binding, as well as G protein activation mediated by these receptors in epileptic hippocampus of patients with pharmacoresistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). In contrast with autopsy samples, hippocampus obtained from patients with mesial TLE demonstrated enhanced MOR mRNA expression (116%). Saturation binding experiments revealed significantly higher (60%) B(max) values for the mesial TLE group, whereas the K(d) values were not statistically different. Although mesial TLE group demonstrated high levels of basal binding for the G proteins (136%), DAMGO-stimulated [(35)S]GTPγS binding did not demonstrate significant alterations. In conclusion, our present data provide strong evidence that the epileptic hippocampus of patients with pharmacoresistant mesial TLE presents significant alterations in MOR. Such changes may represent adaptive mechanisms to compensate for other as yet unknown alterations.

Non-genomic uterorelaxant actions of corticosteroid hormones in rats: An in vitro and in vivo study.

AIMS: We aimed to identify the short-term effects of a glucocorticoid (GC) and a mineralocorticoid (MC) on non-pregnant and late pregnant rat uterine contractions to estimate their tocolytic potential. METHODS: The in vitro contractility studies were performed with uterine tissues from non-pregnant and 22-day pregnant SPRD rats. The cumulative dose-response of fludrocortisone (FLU) and dexamethasone (DEX) was measured alone or in the presence of steroid receptor antagonist mifepristone (MIF) or spironolactone (SPR). [35S]GTPγS and cAMP immunoassays were carried out to detect the activated G-proteins and cAMP, respectively. The in vivo uterine action of single doses of FLU and DEX was measured by smooth muscle electromyography. The results were statistically analyzed with an unpaired t-test. RESULTS: FLU and DEX relaxed both pregnant (33 and 34%) and non-pregnant (37 and 34%) uteri in vitro. MIF inhibited the relaxing effect of DEX, especially in the pregnant uterus, but reduced the effect of FLD only in non-pregnant tissues. GTPγS studies showed a MIF-sensitive elevation in activated G-proteins both in pregnant and non-pregnant uteri by DEX, whereas FLU induced activation only in non-pregnant samples. DEX relaxed pregnant and non-pregnant uteri in vivo in a MIF-sensitive way. SIGNIFICANCE: DEX can inhibit contractions in the late pregnant uterus in a non-genomic manner, while FLU seems to be ineffective. Its action is mediated by a G-protein-coupled receptor that can be blocked by mifepristone. Further investigations are necessary to determine the required dose and duration of GCs in the therapy of premature birth.