Investigation effect of apelin on in vitro myometrial contractility in rats

A newly discovered hormone, apelin, is secreted in brain especially in hypothalamus in addition to stomach, adipose tissue and heart. There are many investigations regarding the effect of apelin on many body functions such as endocrine system, cardiovascular system and metabolic processes. But there are guide limited researchs including the effect of apelin on reproductive functions. Therefore, we looked into the effect of apelin on myometrial contractions in dioestrus rat.Myometrial strips were removed from adult female Wistar rats (on dioestrus) following decapitation and placed in a jacketed organ bath containing Krebs solution, and isometric contractions were evaluated in this study. After equilibration, spontaneous contractions were recorded and the effects of bath application of increasing concentrations of 0.01?M, 0.1?M, 1?M ve 10?M apelin on the amplitude and frequency (number of contraction-relaxation cycles/ 10-min) of contractions were evaluated by 10min intervals. One Way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Apelin significantly increased frequency of contractions at 1?M and 10?M concentrations (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Apelin also increased the peak amplitude of concentrations at only 10?M concentration (p<0.01). The other experimental protocol was repeated by using Ca+2 free Krebs solution. Apelin (10?M) was induced contractions in this group, as well.The results of this study show that apelin induces myometrial contractions in rat. It can conclude that apelin stimulates myometrial contractions by inducing Ca+2 release from intracellular stores, because apelin has same effect in calcium free medium.