Contraction by stimulants used to induce Gpcc is known to involve G-proteins. All four test compounds-MGCD0103, alpha-lipoic acid and two of their hybrids, UCL M084 and UCL M109-reduced Gpcc induced by NaF and carbachol, suggesting that G-protein pathway involvement is relevant to the action of the test compounds, as is also indicated by the Bcl-induced inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-induced contractions. Additionally, alpha-lipoic acid and the two hybrids showed >30% inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-induced contractions, consistent with the antioxidant properties of the 1,2-dithiolane ring.