Antagonism by fenamates of prostaglandin action in guinea-pig and human alimentary muscle

1 Low concentrations of meclofenamate, flufenamate or mefenamate had little effect on contractions in response to acetylcholine in any tissue studied. 2 Sodium meclofenamate potently antagonized contractions of guinea-pig ileum longitudinal muscle to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGF2 alpha or PGD2. 3 In guinea-pig colonic longitudinal muscle, contractions to PGE2 were reduced by sodium meclofenamate, but contractions of the longitudinal or circular muscle to PGF2 alpha or PGD2 were less effectively inhibited. 4 In human gastrointestinal longitudinal muscle, sodium meclofenamate or flufenamate potently inhibited contractions to PGF2 alpha, but not to PGE2. 5 Sodium mefenamate or mefenamic acid, even in high concentrations, had little effect on contractions to PGF2 alpha, but tended to inhibit PGE2-induced contractions of human gastrointestinal longitudinal muscle. 6 The therapeutic advantages of prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors which also antagonize responses to certain prostaglandins are discussed.

Antagonism of prostanoid-induced contractions of rat gastric fundus muscle by SC-19220, sodium meclofenamate, indomethacin or trimethoquinol

1 The effects of SC-19220, sodium meclofenamate, indomethacin or trimethoquinol were studied on contractions of the rat stomach longitudinal muscle to prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), PGE2, PGF2 alpha, PGH2, epoxymethano PGH2 analogues, PGI2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 6,15-diketo-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane B2. All the drugs reduced contractions to all the prostanoids, but the degree of reduction differed widely. Selectivity of blockade was assessed by comparison with acetylcholine (ACh). 2 With SC-19220 5 micrograms/ml the effect on thromboxane B2, PGD2 or PGH2 and its epoxymethano analogues was not significantly different from the small effect on ACh, but the other prostanoids were blocked to greater extents. 3 The effect of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor sodium meclofenamate, 1 or 2 micrograms/ml, on 6,15-diketo-PGF1 alpha or thromboxane B2 was similar to the small antagonism of ACh, whereas the other prostanoids were blocked to greater extents. Indomethacin, 1 microgram/ml, also reduced contractions to the prostanoids, but antagonism of the PGH2 epoxymethano analogues was considerably less than with meclofenamate. 4 The beta-adrenoceptor stimulant trimethoquinol, 50 ng/ml, was the most potent prostanoid antagonist tested; all the prostanoids except PGE2 were antagonized more than ACh.

Fenamates may antagonize the actions of prostaglandin endoperoxides in human myometrium

1 The prostaglandin endoperoxide analogue U-46619 potently contracted human isolated myometrium, suggesting that prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) may be a major stimulant of myometrial contractions. 2 Sodium mefenamate, flufenamate or meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml greatly reduced contractions of the myometrium induced by the PGH2 analogue. 3 Flufenamate, but not the other two drugs, also significantly inhibited contractions to acetylcholine. 4 Sodium meclofenamate 2 microgram/ml did not consistently antagonize contractions to PGF2alpha. 5 The relief of dysmenorrhoea by fenamates may be explained both by inhibition of PG synthesis, and by antagonism of contractions to PGH2 produced by incompletely blocked PG synthesis.

The effect of PGE1 on peristalsis and on perivascular nerve inhibition of peristaltic activity in guinea-pig isolated ileum

The effect of PGE1 on peristalsis of guinea-pig isolated ileum was examined using a modified Trendelenburg method to evoke and record peristaltic activity. PGE1 (14 nM, 0.11 microM and 0.56 microM) increased peristaltic activity of both longitudinal and circular muscle, mainly by increasing the amplitude of contraction. Preparations of ileum subjected to a 'minimal' peristaltic stimulus were more sensitive to the effects of PGE1 than were preparations subjected to a 'just-maximal' peristaltic stimulus. The inhibition of peristaltic activity caused by perivascular nerve stimulation was antagonized by 0.56 microM PGE1 but slightly increased by 14 nM PGE1.