ON THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ETHODIN IN INDUCING MYOMETRIUM CONTRACTIONS

1. Ethodin (Rivanol,(R) 6,9-diamino-2-oxyethyl acridine lactate), has been described as an effective drug to induce uterine contractions sim ilar to those in a physiologic labor in still-birth with uterine inert ia. We investigate the mechanisms involved in the effect of this compo und in contracting the smooth muscle cells of the myometrium to improv e our understanding of the processes involved in the onset of labor. 2 . We conclude that the contractile effect of ethodin is mediated throu gh the activation of uterine mast cells that release mediators able to contract the myometrium. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.