Peptide-containing nerves in the human pregnant uterine cervix: an immunohistochemical study exploring the effect of RU 486 (mifepristone)

Hum Reprod. 1990 Oct;5(7):870-6. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a137200.

Abstract

The presence of several neuropeptides (neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), galanin (GAL), enkephalin (ENK), somatostatin (SOM) was established in the early pregnant human cervix using indirect immunofluorescence immunohistochemistry. Several peptides (VIP, NPY, CGRP, GAL) were present both in free nerves among smooth muscle cells and around blood vessels. Others (SP, SOM) were only seen as single varicosities among smooth muscle cells. Randomized treatment of patients with RU 486 (mifepristone) prior to surgical sampling revealed no clearcut differences in peptide immunoreactivities. After RU 486 treatment, however, there was a tendency towards a decrease of NPY- and VIP-immunoreactivity, and an increase of CGRP-immunoreactivity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcitonin / metabolism
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / metabolism
  • Cervix Uteri / drug effects
  • Cervix Uteri / innervation*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Galanin
  • Humans
  • Mifepristone / pharmacology*
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism*
  • Peptides / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Somatostatin / metabolism
  • Substance P / metabolism
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / metabolism

Substances

  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Neuropeptides
  • Peptides
  • Mifepristone
  • Substance P
  • Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
  • Somatostatin
  • Galanin
  • Calcitonin
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide