The action of prostaglandins on ureter smooth muscle of guinea-pig

Prostaglandins of the E type (PGE) relaxed guinea-pig ureter but prostaglandins of the F type (PGF) did not affect smooth muscle contraction. Hyperpolarization and relaxation of the muscle cells caused by the PGEs were achieved at concentrations in a different range, a feature also observed in the presence of forskolin or iso-butyl-methyl-xanthine (IBMX). Hyperpolarization was inhibited in the presence of k-strophanthoside. The c-AMP content of ureter smooth muscle cells was increased in the presence of PGE2. These observations suggest that the PGE-induced hyperpolarization is caused by activation of the sodium-potassium pump and that enhancement of the cellular c-AMP level plays a major role in the PGE-induced relaxation.