1. Role of progesterone signaling in the regulation of G-protein levels in female chronic constipation 
Zuo-Liang Xiao, Victor Pricolo, Piero Biancani, Jose Behar 
Gastroenterology 
Volume 128, Issue 3, Pages (March 2005)
DOI: /j.gastro
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
Agonist-induced contraction of colonic muscle cells from control female patients (n = 5) and from female patients with chronic constipation (n = 6). The contraction induced by agonists that are receptor- and G-protein-dependent (CCK-8, acetylcholine, and guanosine 5′-O-[3-thiophosphate]) was decreased in patients with chronic constipation (*P < .001, by ANOVA). However, the contraction caused by agonists that are receptor- and G-protein-independent (diacylglycerol and KCl) was normal. □, Normal control; ■, colonic constipation.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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3. Figure 2
Gαq/11 expression in human colonic circular muscle cells from female controls (n = 4) and from female patients with chronic constipation (n = 3). The band density and OD values (mean ± SE) of Gαq/11 are decreased in muscle cells from patients with chronic constipation (*P = .0004, by Student t test).
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

4. Figure 3
Gαs expression in human colonic circular muscle cells from female controls (n = 3) and female patients with chronic constipation (n = 3). The band density and OD values (mean ± SE) of Gαs were increased in the muscle cells from patients with chronic constipation (*P = .0023, by Student t test).
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

5. Figure 4
mRNA expression of Gαq in colonic circular muscle from female controls (n = 3) and female patients with chronic constipation (n = 3). The expression of Gαq in patients with chronic constipation was less than in control patients (*P = .0385, by Student t test).
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

6. Figure 5
Quantitative changes in Gαq/11 induced by progesterone or buffer treatment of normal human colonic circular muscle cells over a 6-hour period. The density of Gαq/11 bands and the OD levels of muscle cells (mean ± SE of n = 3) decreased gradually after 3 hours (*P < .05 and **P < .01, by Student t test).
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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7. Figure 6
Quantitative changes in Gαs in human colonic circular muscle cells treated with buffer or progesterone over a 6-hour period. The band density of Gαs (2 bands) and the Gαs levels (mean ± SE of n = 3) increased after progesterone treatment at 3 and 6 hours compared with buffer (*P < .05 and **P < .01, by Student t test). □, Buffer treated; ■, PG (10−5 mol/L) treated.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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8. Figure 7
(125I)-CCK-8 binding studies in normal human muscle cells treated with buffer alone (control), AlF4, or progesterone for 4 hours compared with muscle cells from female patients with chronic constipation incubated with buffer alone. Pretreatment with AlF4 markedly decreased the specific binding of [125I]-CCK-8 to its receptors (P < .001, by ANOVA). The maximal bindings were decreased to one-half after progesterone treatment (P < .05, by ANOVA) and in muscle cells from female patients with chronic constipation (n = 3, P < .05, by ANOVA). □, Control; ○, colonic constipation; ▵, PG treated; ◊, AlF4.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions

9. Figure 8
CCK-1 receptor binding of the radiolabeled antagonist [3H]-L364,718 in normal muscle cells treated with buffer alone (controls), AlF4, or progesterone for 4 hours (n = 3) and in muscle cells from patients with chronic constipation (n = 3). There were no differences in the specific binding between buffer, AlF4, or progesterone treatment and between them and the binding in muscle cells from chronic constipation. □, Control; ○, colonic constipation; ▵, PG treated; ◊, AlF4.
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
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10. Figure 9
mRNA expression of progesterone receptors detected by Northern blot. Total RNA was extracted and analyzed. A 3.2-kb progesterone receptor was detected. 18 S RNA was determined as an internal standard. mRNA expression of progesterone receptor was increased in patients with chronic constipation in lanes 3 and 4 (means ± SE, n = 3, P = .0477, by Student t test) compared with those of controls of lanes 1 and 2 (n = 3).
Gastroenterology  , DOI: ( /j.gastro )
Copyright © 2005 American Gastroenterological Association Terms and Conditions