Resveratrol restores uterine contractions during hypoxia by blockade of ATP-sensitive potassium channels

- Resveratrol decreases the amplitude and frequency of uterine contractions.
- Resveratrol inhibit oxytocin-induced uterine contractions.
- Resveratrol restores uterine contractions under hypoxia.
- Blockade of ATP-sensitive potassium channels prevents the resveratrol effects.

This study assessed the effects of resveratrol, a polyphenol found in grapes and red wine on non-pregnant murine uteri under hypoxia. Resveratrol at 1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 μM promoted uterine relaxation and decreased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous uterine contractions. Assayed at 3, 10, 30 μM, resveratrol inhibited the oxytocin-induced cumulative contractions reducing the maximum effect in a dose-dependent manner. In hypoxic uteri, resveratrol at 100 μM restored the uterine contractions compromised by hypoxia. In addition, under hypoxia, resveratrol prevented the decrease in uterine contractions maintaining >75% of its contraction capability. The effects of resveratrol on uterine contractions under hypoxia were attenuated by tetraethylammonium (10 mM) and almost abolished by glibenclamide (10 μM). Our results show regenerative and protective effects of resveratrol in non-pregnant murine uteri under hypoxia and describes for the first time that these effects are mediated by blockade of ATP-sensitive potassium channels.