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Bardou M.  Cortijo J.  Loustalot C.  Taylor S.  Perales-Marin A.  Mercier FJ.  Dumas M.  Deneux-Tharaux C.  Frydman R.  Morcillo EJ.  Advenier C.  Pharmacological and biochemical study on the effects of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on human term myometrium.  Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Archives of Pharmacology.  360(4):457-63, 1999.

Summary

    This study was evaluated the in vitro effects of phosphodiesterase inhibitors and beta2-adrenoceptor agonists on spontaneous contractions of human term myometrium. Rolipram, RP 73401 (3-cyclopentyloxy-N-(3,5(-dichloro-4-pyridil)-4-methoxybenzamide) and Ro 20-1724 (1-4-(3-butoxy-4-methoxybenzyl)-2-imidozolidinone) (phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors) inhibited spontaneous myometrial contractions (Emax approximately 100%; pD2 of 6.80+/-0.28, 6.84+/-0.32 and 6.31+/-0.03, respectively). Salbutamol and formoterol were less effective (Emax=40+/-6% and 35+/-12%, respectively) than phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors to reduce myometrial contractility. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 3 (milrinone and siguazodan) and 5 (zaprinast) were marginally effective. Rolipram (10-30 nM) and siguazodan (0.1 microM) potentiated the response to salbutamol (Emax=75+/-12%, 88+/-8% and 73+/-12% and pD2=6.51+/-0.20, 6.93+/-0.29 and 6.48+/-0.16, respectively). Sodium nitroprusside (pD2=6.76+/-0.29) and theophylline (pD2=5.15+/-0.22) were effective inhibitors of myometrial contractions. Chromatographic separation of phosphodiesterase isoenzymes demonstrated that phosphodiesterase 4 is predominant but other phosphodiesterase isoenzymes were also identified. The authors conclude that phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors alone or combined with beta2-adrenoceptor agonists have potential interest as tocolytic agents.