Oxytocinergic
Encyclopedia
A uterotonic is an agent used to induce contraction or greater tonicity
of the uterus. Uterotonics are used both to induce labor
, and to reduce postpartum hemorrhage
.
Some uterotonics act as analogues of oxytocin
. An oxytocinergic, or oxytocic, means "having to do with oxytocin
(OXT)". The Oxytocin Receptor
(OXTR) is the binding
and activation site
of oxytocin.
Some agents may act as indirect oxytocinergics:
Other uterotonics include Methylergonovine
and Prostaglandin F2.
A tocolytic
acts to oppose uterine contractility. These agents may be oxytocinergic in mechanism. For example, Atosiban
works in this way.
Tonicity
Tonicity is a measure of the osmotic pressure gradient of two solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane. It is commonly used when describing the response of cells immersed in an external solution...
of the uterus. Uterotonics are used both to induce labor
Childbirth
Childbirth is the culmination of a human pregnancy or gestation period with the birth of one or more newborn infants from a woman's uterus...
, and to reduce postpartum hemorrhage
Postpartum hemorrhage
Hemorrhage after delivery, or postpartum hemorrhage, is the loss of greater than 500 ml of blood following vaginal delivery, or 1000 ml of blood following cesarean section...
.
Some uterotonics act as analogues of oxytocin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
. An oxytocinergic, or oxytocic, means "having to do with oxytocin
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
(OXT)". The Oxytocin Receptor
Oxytocin receptor
The oxytocin receptor, also known as OXTR, is a protein which functions as receptor for the hormone and neurotransmitter oxytocin. In humans, the oxytocin receptor is encoded by the OXTR gene., which has been localized to human chromosome 3p25....
(OXTR) is the binding
Binding (molecular)
Molecular binding is an attractive interaction between two molecules which results in a stable association in which the molecules are in close proximity to each other...
and activation site
Active site
In biology the active site is part of an enzyme where substrates bind and undergo a chemical reaction. The majority of enzymes are proteins but RNA enzymes called ribozymes also exist. The active site of an enzyme is usually found in a cleft or pocket that is lined by amino acid residues that...
of oxytocin.
Some agents may act as indirect oxytocinergics:
- 5-HT1A Receptor (5-HT1AR): A proteinProteinProteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
responsible for inducing the secretionSecretionSecretion is the process of elaborating, releasing, and oozing chemicals, or a secreted chemical substance from a cell or gland. In contrast to excretion, the substance may have a certain function, rather than being a waste product...
of oxytocin. - SerotonergicSerotonergicSerotonergic or serotoninergic means "related to the neurotransmitter serotonin". A synapse is serotonergic if it uses serotonin as its neurotransmitter...
: A drug which acts upon serotoninSerotoninSerotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
and 5-HT1AR, resulting in oxytocin release (e.g., MDMA ("Ecstasy").
Other uterotonics include Methylergonovine
Methylergonovine
Methylergometrine is a synthetic analogue of ergonovine, a psychedelic alkaloid found in ergot, and many species of morning glory. It is a member of the ergoline family and chemically similar to LSD, ergine, ergometrine, and lysergic acid...
and Prostaglandin F2.
A tocolytic
Tocolytic
Tocolytics are medications used to suppress premature labor . They are given when delivery would result in premature birth...
acts to oppose uterine contractility. These agents may be oxytocinergic in mechanism. For example, Atosiban
Atosiban
Atosiban is an inhibitor of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. It is used as an intravenous medication as a labour repressant to halt premature labor. Although initial studies suggested it could be used as a nasal spray and hence would not require hospital admission, it is not used in that form...
works in this way.
See also
- AtosibanAtosibanAtosiban is an inhibitor of the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. It is used as an intravenous medication as a labour repressant to halt premature labor. Although initial studies suggested it could be used as a nasal spray and hence would not require hospital admission, it is not used in that form...
- CarbetocinCarbetocinCarbetocin is an obstetric drug used to control postpartum hemorrhage, bleeding after giving birth. It is an analogue of oxytocin, and its action is similar to that of oxytocin, such as contraction of the uterus....
- DemoxytocinDemoxytocinDemoxytocin or deaminooxytocin, is an obstetric drug often used in the prevention of puerperal mastitis. It is an analogue of oxytocin.- References :...
- L-371,257L-371,257L-371,257 is a compound used in scientific research which acts as a selective antagonist of the oxytocin receptor with over 800x selectivity over the related vasopressin receptors...
- OxytocinOxytocinOxytocin is a mammalian hormone that acts primarily as a neuromodulator in the brain.Oxytocin is best known for its roles in sexual reproduction, in particular during and after childbirth...
- WAY-267,464WAY-267,464WAY-267,464 is a drug which acts as a high affinity, potent, selective, and non-peptide agonist for the oxytocin receptor, with negligible affinity for the vasopressin receptors...