RESEARCH PAPER Hydrogen peroxide affects contractile activity and anti-oxidant enzymes in rat uterus

)-induced] and the effect of such treatment on anti-oxidative enzyme activities. Experimental approach: Uteri were isolated from virgin Wistar rats and suspended in an organ bath. Uteri were allowed to contract spontaneously or in the presence of Ca 2+ (6 mM) and treated with H2O2 (2 mM–3 mM) over 2 h. Anti-oxidative enzyme activities (manganese superoxide dismutase-MnSOD, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-CuZnSOD, catalase-CAT, glutathione peroxidase-GSHPx and glutathione reductase-GR) in H2O2-treated uteri were compared with those in uteri immediately frozen after isolation or undergoing spontaneous or Ca 2+ -induced contractions, without treatment with H2O2. The effect of inhibitors (propranolol, methylene blue, L-NAME, tetraethylamonium, glibenclamide and 4-aminopyridine) on H2O2-mediated relaxation was explored. Key results: H2O2 caused concentration-dependent relaxation of both spontaneous and Ca 2+ -induced uterine contractions. After H2O2 treatment, GSHPx and MnSOD activities were increased, while CuZnSOD and GR (In Ca 2+ -induced rat uteri) were decreased. N w -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester antagonized the effect of H2O2 on Ca 2+ -induced contractions. H2O2-induced relaxation was not affected by propranolol, potentiated by methylene blue and antagonized by tetraethylamonium, 4-aminopyridine and glibenclamide, with the last compound being the least effective. Conclusions and implications: H2O2 induced dose-dependent relaxation of isolated rat uteri mainly via changes in voltagedependent potassium channels. Decreasing generation of reactive oxygen species by stimulation of anti-oxidative pathways may lead to new approaches to the management of dysfunctional uteri.