Mechanism of action of sodium chloride?

Answer 1

The exact mechanism of action is not known but may be related to damage of decidual cells by hypertonic sodium chloride within 0.5 hour after amniotic instillation of sodium chloride. The subsequent release of endogenous prostaglandins induces uterine contractions at about the 11th hour and begins cervical dilation after 11 hours. Hypertonic sodium chloride appears to increase the endogenous release of oxytocin via vasopressin and neurohypophysis stimulation; endogenous oxytocin increases uterine contractions and can potentially further sensitize the uterus to exogenous oxytocin .

Efficacy varied widely in clinical studies using 40 grams of sodium chloride. The rate of failed abortions occurring between 24 and 120 hours from initial injection ranged from 0 to 28 per 100 abortions. Incomplete abortions or the failure to expel the placenta within 2 to 4 hours of aborting the fetus occurred at a rate of 30 per 100 abortions (range, 0 to 53 per 100 abortions)

Intra-amniotic hypertonic sodium chloride use results in a live Birth Rate of 0.17 per 100 abortions, even though it is fetotoxic and a stillbirth usually results In the rare case of a live birth, fetal expiration usually occurs within hours of birth