Inhibitory effects of okadaic acid on rat uterine contractile responses to different spasmogens

In the present study, we examined the effects of okadaic acid, a selective inhibitor of type I and 2A protein phosphatases, on the mechanical responses evoked by oxytocin, K + - and Na + -modified solutions and ouabain in estrogen-primed rat myometrium. Oxytocin elicited a rapid, phasic contraction followed by rhythmic oscillations. The phasic response was partially resistant to the absence of external Ca 2+ . Okadaic acid (1 μM) and the L-type calcium channel blocker nifedipine (1 μM) abolished the oscillatory component and reduced the initial, phasic response to about 80% of the control response. High K + (60 mM) solution, ouabain (1 mM), K + -free medium and low Na + (25 mM) solution ind…