The Effects of Ruthenium Red, an Inhibitor of Calcium-Induced Calcium Release, on Phasic Myometrial Contractions

Ruthenium red inhibits calcium-induced calcium release from the ryanodine-sensitive intracellular calcium stores; this study sought to evaluate the effects of ruthenium red on agonist-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions. Ruthenium red was found to significantly inhibitin vitroisometric contractions stimulated in response to oxytocin, prostaglandin F2α,aluminum fluoride, potassium chloride, ionomycin, and Bay K 8644. These observations provide support for the hypothesis that calcium-induced calcium release from ryanodine-sensitive calcium stores is an important event during agonist-stimulated phasic myometrial contractions.