Metabolic Flexibility and Energy Substrate Utilization Regulate Contractility in the Human Myometrium.

ABSTRACT: The uterus requires energy for sustained contractility during labor, to deliver the fetus and diminish the risk of postpartum hemorrhage. Our objective was to define energy requirements and assess metabolic flexibility in quiescent and contractile myometrial cells. Cells were treated with oxytocin to stimulate myometrial contractility. We found that myometrial cells rely on oxidative phosphorylation during quiescence and, when treated with oxytocin, can adapt to higher energy demands by shifting their energy production to glycolysis. Treatment with mitochondrial oxidation inhibitors revealed that in quiescent myometrial cells basal oxygen consumption rate decreased when treated with glucose oxidation inhibitor UK5099, but not the long chain fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir or the gl

SUBMITTER: Prifti KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12889585 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature