Relaxant effect of a novel calcium-activated potassium channel modulator on human myometrial spontaneous contractility in vitro

Aim: To investigate the effect of 4,5-dichloro-1,3-diethyl-1,3-dihydro-benzoimidazol-2-one (NS4591), a novel SK/IK channels positive modulator, on human myometrial activity. Methods: Organ bath studies were performed on myometrial preparations obtained from women undergoing elective caesarean section at term (N=11) or hysterectomy (N=11). NS4591 was added cumulatively in the concentration range of 0.3-30μm. In separate experiments, the effects of pre-incubation of muscle preparation with the SK or IK channel blockers apamin (1μm) and TRAM34 (10μm) on the outcomes of NS4591 were evaluated. Simultaneous vehicle controls were performed for all experiments. The effects of drugs were studied on spontaneous contractions. Results: NS4591 exerted an inhibitory effect on myometrial contractions in muscle strips from non-pregnant and pregnant women. The contractility in non-pregnant and pregnant myometrium was reduced to the following values respectively: amplitude 20.65±7.38% (P