Effect of motilin on colonic motor activity in the interdigestive state in conscious dogs

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of motilin at various doses on colonic motility in the interdigestive state. Colonic motility was investigated in five dogs equipped with strain gauge force transducers on the gastric antrum, and on the proximal, middle, and distal colon. Exogenously infused motilin (0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr) dose-dependently increased colonic motility, but the doses of motilin that significantly enhanced colonic motility were 1.0 and 2.0 micrograms/kg-hr in all areas of the colon. Motilin at 0.2 microgram/kg-hr increased the plasma motilin concentration to almost equal to the physiological peak values. The excitatory effect of motilin (2.0 microgram/kg-hr) was abolished by atropine but was not affected by hexamethonium. These results indicate that exogenously infused motilin, which increased plasma motilin concentration to above the physiological peak level, stimulated colonic motility by affecting postsynaptic cholinergic neurons.

A novel cholinergic "slow effect" of efferent stimulation on cochlear potentials in the guinea pig

This report documents slow changes in cochlear responses produced by electrical stimulation of the olivocochlear bundle (OCB), which provides efferent innervation to the hair cells of the cochlea. These slow changes have time constants of 25-50 sec, three orders of magnitude slower than those reported previously. Such "slow effects" are similar to classically described "fast effects" in that (1) they comprise a suppression of the compound action potential (CAP) of the auditory nerve mirrored by an enhancement of the cochlear microphonic potential (CM) generated largely by the outer hair cells; (2) the magnitude of suppression decreases as the intensity of the acoustic stimulus increases; (3) they share the same dependence on OCB stimulation rate; (4) both are extinguished upon cutting the OCB; and (5) both are blocked with similar concentrations of a variety of cholinergic antagonists as well as with strychnine and bicuculline. These observations suggest that both fast and slow effects are mediated by the same receptor and are produced by conductance changes in outer hair cells. Slow effects differ from fast effects in that (1) fast effects are greatest for acoustic stimulus frequencies between 6 and 10 kHz, whereas slow effects peak for frequencies from 12 to 16 kHz, and (2) fast effects persist over long periods of OCB stimulation, whereas slow effects diminish after 60 sec of stimulation. The time course of the slow effects can be described mathematically by assuming that each shock-burst produces, in addition to a fast effect, a small decrease in CAP amplitude that decays exponentially with a time constant that is long relative to the intershock interval. The long time constant of the slow effect compared to the fast effect suggests that it may arise from a distinct intracellular mechanism, possibly mediated by second-messenger systems.

Vagal control of nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide release in the regulation of gastric relaxation in rat

1. Gastric motility and neurotransmitter release in response to vagal stimulation were studied using a vascularly isolated perfused rat stomach. Gastric motor responses were recorded by a strain gauge force transducer implanted on the proximal stomach. 2. Electrical stimulation of vagal trunk (0.5-20 Hz) produced a triphasic response which was composed of a rapid transient relaxation (first phase) followed by a phasic contraction (second phase) and a delayed prolonged relaxation (third phase). Maximum responses of the first, second and third phase were observed at 2.5, 5 and 10 Hz, respectively. Intra-arterial infusion of tetrodotoxin (0.1 microM) or hexamethonium (100 microM) completely abolished the triphasic response. 3. The nitric oxide (NO) biosynthesis inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; 100 microM) significantly antagonized the rapid relaxation but had no effect on the delayed relaxation, while vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antagonist (1 microM) significantly reduced the delayed relaxation without affecting the rapid relaxation. 4. In response to vagal stimulation, NO production ([3H]citrulline formation in gastric tissue preloaded with [3H]arginine) was maximum at 2.5 Hz, whereas VIP release into the venous effluent was largest at 10 Hz. Hexamethonium abolished vagal-stimulated NO production and VIP release. L-NNA had no effect on VIP release in response to vagal stimulation. 5. The nicotinic receptor agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperizinium (DMPP; 100 microM) also caused a triphasic response similar to that observed with vagal stimulation and produced a significant increase in VIP and NO formation. DMPP-evoked VIP release was not affected by L-NNA. Similarly, DMPP-evoked NO production was not antagonized by VIP antagonist. 6. These results suggest that vagus nerve stimulation evokes NO and VIP release via nicotinic synapses which cause different modes of relaxation of the stomach. There is no interaction between NO and VIP release in response to vagal stimulation.

Contribution of cardiac and arterial baroreceptors to enhanced vasopressin release during hemorrhage with autonomic blockade

During episodes of blood loss, several apparently redundant mechanisms are activated to maintain arterial blood pressure. This study was designed to examine one such compensatory mechanism involving enhanced vasopressin release during hemorrhage when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is pharmacologically blocked. First, to confirm that this compensatory mechanism exists in canines, conscious dogs were hemorrhaged under normal conditions and during ANS blockade. In dogs with intact cardiac nerves (intact, n = 7), hemorrhage at 0.8 ml/kg/min increased plasma vasopressin (PAVP) from 3.0 +/- 0.7 to 6.6 +/- 2.4 and 78 +/- 50 pg/ml at blood losses of 10 and 20 ml/kg, respectively. At the same amount of blood loss during hemorrhage with ANS blockage, PAVP was enhanced significantly from 33 +/- 17 to 230 +/- 90 and 610 +/- 270 pg/ml. ANS blockade did not, however, alter the hemorrhage-induced increases in plasma renin activity. Next, to examine the afferent mechanisms responsible for the enhanced PAVP response, cardiac-denervated dogs (CD, n = 9) were hemorrhaged with and without ANS blockade. Without blockade, PAVP increased from 3.7 +/- 0.9 to 5.2 +/- 0.8 and 26 +/- 11 pg/ml at blood losses of 10 and 20 ml/kg. PAVP was significantly higher in response to hemorrhage with ANS blockade, increasing from 17 +/- 6 to 76 +/- 18 and 330 +/- 80 pg/ml. The rise in PAVP in the CD dogs suggested that peripheral baroreceptors were involved in eliciting vasopressin release under these conditions. Therefore, the influence of arterial baroreceptors was examined by infusing norepinephrine during hemorrhage in order to maintain blood pressure constant. Under these conditions, PAVP increased significantly in the intact dogs at 10 ml/kg blood loss, but did not change in the CD dogs. These results demonstrate that the enhanced release of AVP during hemorrhage with ANS blockade can be mediated either by cardiac or arterial baroreceptors; however, the maximum response is elicited only when both sets of receptors are functioning normally.

Heterogeneity of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in thin slices of rat medial habenula

1. Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in slices of rat medial habenula were studied using patch clamp recording techniques. 2. Whole cell current responses to cytisine could be blocked by hexamethonium, as expected for nicotinic receptors. The whole cell current-voltage relations were linear at negative membrane potentials, but showed strong inward rectification when chloride currents were minimized. 3. When 1 mM Ca2+ (0 mM Mg2+) was present in the external recording solution, the single channel conductances elicited by acetylcholine or nicotine in twenty patches were in the range 39-58 pS, with a mean of 47 pS. There appeared to be at least two groups of conductances. 4. In the open point amplitude distributions of three patches, the most common amplitude corresponded to 41 pS (81% of the area). In another four patches the most common amplitude corresponded to a mean conductance of 51 pS (83% of the area). Direct transitions between open levels were rare. 5. Channel closed times were not significantly different for the two conductance groups. However, for the four patches with predominantly 51 pS openings, the means of the distributions of open times longer than two filter rise times averaged 5.8 ms. Those patches with predominantly 41 pS openings averaged 14 ms. Also, for patches with predominantly 51 pS openings the overall mean burst length was 5.8 ms, whereas for patches with predominantly 41 pS openings it was 16.1 ms. 6. These observations suggest that 51 and 41 pS openings result from the activity of at least two, but possibly more, different receptor subtypes. We conclude that nicotinic receptors in the rat ventral medial habenula are heterogeneous.

Contribution of alpha- and beta- adrenoceptors and neuropeptide-Y to autonomic dysreflexia

Modest increases in urinary bladder pressure result in acute hypertensive episodes in humans with spinal cord lesions above T5. The underlying mechanisms of this condition, referred to as autonomic dysreflexia, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the contribution of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors as well as circulating neuropeptide-Y (NPY) to the pressor response to bladder distension in conscious cervical spinal rats. Rats were chronically instrumented with arterial and venous catheters. After 2-3 days, a complete spinal transection (C7) was performed, and the urinary bladder was catheterized: 24 h later, mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to 5 min bladder distensions (+40) were measured under control conditions and after administration of specific autonomic antagonists. To assess the contribution of alpha and beta adrenergic mechanisms the alpha antagonist prazosin (0.45 mg/kg i.v.) and beta antagonist, propranolol (4 mg/kg i.v.), were administered individually or together. Blood samples were taken before, during and after bladder distension for determination of plasma NPY by radioimmunoassay. The pressor response to bladder distension was approximately 30 mmHg under control conditions. The response was attenuated (-38%), but not abolished, by prazosin. A similar attenuation (-41%) was observed with propranolol. There were no changes in plasma NPY in response to bladder distension. Finally, the pressor response was completely abolished by combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade. These results suggest that autonomic dysreflexia is mediated exclusively by adrenergic receptors in the spinal rat. Moreover, both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors contribute to the pressor response induced by bladder distension in the conscious cervical spinal rat.

Effects of the autonomic ganglion blocking agent hexamethonium on vasodilator responses mediated by the parasympathetic ganglion on the chorda tympani pathway of the cat

We investigated the pharmacological properties of a parasympathetic ganglion (a chorda tympani ganglion) that mediates vasodilator responses in the lower lip induced by electrical stimulation of the distal cut end of the chorda tympani or facial nerve root of the cat. These responses were suppressed by prior treatment with the autonomic ganglion blocking agent hexamethonium. We compared the effects of three doses of hexamethonium (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.v.) on the chorda tympani ganglion with their effects on three large ganglia; the otic, submandibular and pterygopalatine ganglia that mediate vasodilator responses. Experiments were conducted on 20 cats weighing 1-3 kg which had been anesthetized with a mixture of urethane (100 mg/kg, i.v.) and chloralose (50 mg/kg, i.v.) then artificially ventilated (pancuronium bromide 0.2 mg/kg per h, i.v.). The chorda tympani ganglion's sensitivity to hexamethonium was similar to that of the otic ganglion but differed from the sensitivities of submandibular and pterygopalatine ganglia. We speculate that transmission through the chorda tympani ganglion is pharmacologically similar to the otic ganglion, although its precise location has yet to be determined.

Substance P effects on blood flow, fluid transport and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide release in the feline small intestine

1. Substance P (SP) infusions were given close I.A. to the feline small intestine in vivo in a dose that produced plasma concentrations of 1-5 microM. This infusion regularly evoked a net fluid secretion measured with a gravimetric technique. Concomitantly, the release into blood of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), a putative neurotransmitter of the enteric nervous system, increased. 2. The SP-induced fluid secretion was blocked by tetrodotoxin (7 micrograms close I.A.), a blocker of fast sodium channels in excitable tissues, and hexamethonium (10 mg (kg body wt)-1, I.V.), a nicotinic receptor antagonist, suggesting that the SP effect was mediated by the enteric nervous system. In line with this it was shown that the SP-evoked release of VIP was also significantly diminished by hexamethonium. 3. Close I.A. infusions of methionine enkephalin (Met-enkephalin; 7-23 nmol min-1) or electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve fibres (6 Hz) to the intestine markedly diminished net fluid secretion and the release of VIP caused by SP given close I.A. 4. The cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor diclofenac (5 mg (kg body wt)-1, I.V.) or the histamine-1 receptor antagonist pyrilamine (10 mg (kg body wt)-1, I.V.) did not influence the fluid secretion caused by SP, indicating that the effects of SP were not due to the actions of prostaglandins or histamine. 5. It is proposed that SP activates a nervous reflex arch that we have shown to be activated by various luminal stimuli, including cholera toxin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelium-dependent contraction induced by acetylcholine in isolated rat renal arteries

We investigated whether or not acetylcholine elicited an endothelium-dependent contraction and whether an arachidonic acid metabolite was involved in the acetylcholine-induced contraction in ring preparations of rat renal arteries. Acetylcholine (0.1-100 microM) caused a transient contraction in endothelium-intact arteries in a concentration-dependent manner. The contraction induced by acetylcholine (10 microM) was enhanced by pretreatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and was abolished by mechanical removal of the endothelium. Atropine (0.1 microM), quinacrine (1 and 3 microM), manoalide (0.1 and 1 microM), aspirin (1 and 10 microM), indomethacin (30 and 300 nM), ONO-3708 (9,11-dimethyl-methane-11,12-methano-13,14-dihydro-13-aza-14- oxo-15(beta)-cyclophenyl-omega-pentenor-thromboxane A2 L-arginine salt) (10 nM), S-1452 (calcium (5Z)-1R,2S,3S,4S-7-[3-phenylsulphonyl-aminobicyclo[2.2.1]hep t-2yl]-5- heptenoate hydrate) (3 nM) and SQ29,548 ([1S- [1 alpha,2 beta(5Z),3 beta,4 alpha]]-7-[3-[[2-[(phenylamino) carbonyl]hydrazino]methyl]-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]-5-heptenoi++ + c acid) (3 and 10 nM), but not hexamethonium (1 microM), OKY-046 (sodium (E)-3-[4-(1- imidazolylmethyl)phenyl]-2-propenoic acid hydrochloride monohydrate) (100 microM) and CS-518 (sodium 2-(1-imidazolylmethyl)-4,5- dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene-6-carboxylate) (10 microM) significantly attenuated the acetylcholine (10 microM)-induced endothelium-dependent contractions in renal arteries pretreated with NG-nitro-L-arginine. These findings suggest that acetylcholine causes endothelium-dependent contraction by stimulation of muscarinic receptors in rat renal arteries, and that an arachidonic acid metabolite(s) of the cyclooxygenase pathway is involved in this endothelium-dependent contraction.

Differences of the electrical and nicotinic receptor stimulation-evoked liberation of norepinephrine from chicken sympathetic neurons in culture: possible involvement of different pools of the transmitter

We studied the release of [3H]norepinephrine from chicken sympathetic neurons in culture evoked by nicotinic and electrical stimulation with an intention to establish functional identity or nonidentity of the two stimuli in investigations of neurotransmitter release. Nicotinic stimulation evoked extracellular calcium dependent release of [3H]norepinephrine and the rise of intracellular calcium concentration. The release was completely blocked by nicotinic antagonists hexamethonium (100 mumol/l) and mecamylamine (10 mumol/l), and decreased by tetrodotoxin (0.3 mumol/l) and omega-conotoxin (0.1 mumol/l) to 17% and 27%, resp. The intracellular calcium response was decreased by nicotinic antagonists and tetrodotoxin, but not changed by omega-conotoxin. The electrical stimulation-evoked release was blocked by both tetrodotoxin and omega-conotoxin, and decreased by previous electrical, but not nicotinic, stimulation. The differential sensitivity to omega-conotoxin and tetrodotoxin,and the inability of nicotinic stimulation to decrease the liberation by following electrical stimulation may suggest the mobilization of different pools of the transmitter.

Effect of scorpion toxin from Tityus serrulatus on the contraction of the isolated rat uterus

Scorpion toxin T1 from Tityus serrulatus was tested for its effects on the isolated rat uterus preparation. T1 (5 micrograms/ml) caused a contraction of the uterus, which was potentiated by neostigmine (1.64 x 10(-6) M) and abolished by atropine (1.4 x 10(-7) M). After addition of neostigmine to the bath, we noted a higher amplitude of the toxin-induced contractions, and the appearance of repetitive rhythmic contractions. The scorpion toxin-induced contraction was not prevented by previous addition to the bath of hexamethonium or bradykinin, 5-HT and angiotensin II antagonists. The uterine contraction was prevented by previous addition to the bath of either tetrodotoxin (5 x 10(-8) M) or lidocaine (4.2 x 10(-5) M). These data seem to indicate that scorpion toxin-induced rat uterus contractions are due to actions on post-ganglionic autonomic nerve endings, with acetylcholine release and stimulation of muscarinic receptors.

Cholinergic activation of Cl- secretion in rat colonic epithelia

Acetylcholine receptor agonists and antagonists were used in a pharmacological analysis to identify which muscarinic receptor(s) may be involved in cholinergic regulation of Cl- secretion across rat colonic mucosa in vitro. A comparative ligand binding analysis for each of the antagonists was carried out in parallel. Both studies elicited identical rank order potencies (atropine > or = 4-diphenyl-acetoxy-N-piperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) > pirenzepine > 11-[[2[(diethylamino)methyl]-1-pipiridinyl]acetyl[5,11- dihydro-6H-pyrido[2,3-b]]1,4]benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX 116). Cholinomimetic-induced Cl- secretion was predominantly mediated by activation of muscarinic receptors in rat isolated colonic mucosa, with only a modest contribution from nicotinic receptors. Short circuit current responses evoked by the selective muscarinic M1 receptor agonist 4-[[(3-chlorophenyl)amino]carbonyl]-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-butyn-1-a minium chloride (McN-A-343) suggest that this receptor subtype, which is thought to be neuronally sited, also plays a minor role in regulation of intestinal ion transport. The principal epithelial cell receptors responsible for acetylcholine receptor-mediated Cl- secretion appear to belong to the M3 class.

Inhibitory action of nicotinic antagonists on transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction of the rat

The effects of two nicotinic antagonists, d-tubocurarine (TC) and hexamethonium (HEX) were tested on the rat diaphragm neuromuscular junction during train-of-six stimuli to determine if a second action of these antagonists on evoked release could be demonstrated, in addition to its known impact of blocking the autoreceptor pathway. To minimize the autoreceptor pathway, the preparations were examined under low transmitter release conditions. It was observed that both compounds significantly depressed the end-plate potential amplitudes more than the miniature end-plate potential amplitudes, while also significantly depressing quantal release output. This inhibitory action is contrary to what is observed when transmitter release is high, where feedback regulation via the autoreceptors serves a prominent role. It is concluded that this depressive action on transmitter output contributes to onset of tetanic fade and that when higher concentrations of these antagonists are used this inhibitory action of TC and HEX may override autoreceptor feedback regulation.

Potentiation by endothelin-1 of cholinergic nerve-mediated contractions in mouse trachea via activation of ETB receptors

1. We have previously shown that endothelin-1-induced contraction of mouse isolated tracheal smooth muscle was mediated via both ETA and ETB receptors. In the current study, we have investigated endothelin-1-induced potentiation of cholinergic nerve-mediated contractions in mouse isolated trachea and have characterized pharmacologically the endothelin receptors mediating this response. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS; 70 V, 0.5 ms duration, 10s train, 0.1-60 Hz) of mouse isolated trachea caused frequency-dependent, monophasic contractions (magnitude of contraction of 60 Hz was 56 +/- 4% Cmax (n = 6), where Cmax is the contractile response to 10 microM carbachol). EFS-induced contractions were abolished by either 0.1 microM atropine or 3 microM tetrodotoxin, but were not affected by 1 microM hexamethonium, indicating that they were induced by stimulation of postganglionic cholinergic nerves. In contrast, contractions induced by exogenously applied acetylcholine were inhibited by atropine, but not by either tetrodotoxin or hexamethonium. 3. The ETB receptor-selective agonist, sarafotoxin S6c, caused marked concentration-dependent potentiation of EFS-induced contractions in mouse isolated tracheal segments. At 0.1 nM, sarafotoxin S6c exerted no direct contractile effect, but significantly increased a standard EFS-induced contraction of 20% Cmax by 8 +/- 2% Cmax (i.e. 1.4 fold, n = 5, P < 0.05). At higher concentrations, 10 nM sarafotoxin S6c induced a large, transient contraction (peak response of 74 +/- 2% Cmax at 10 min; 3 +/- 2% Cmax at 45 min) and enhanced the standard EFS-induced contraction by 30 +/- 4% Cmax (i.e. 2.5 fold, n = 5, P < 0.01). In contrast, 10 nM sarafotoxin S6c did not enhance contractile responses to exogenously applied acetylcholine(n = 6).4. Endothelin-1 also modulated EFS-induced contractions. At 0.1 nM, endothelin-1 exerted no direct contractile effect, but significantly increased the standard EFS-induced contraction of 20%Cmax, by 7 +/- 2%Cma, (i.e. 1.35 fold, n = 5, P<0.05). At 1 nM, endothelin-l induced a small, sustained contraction(16 +/- 3%Cmo) and increased the standard EFS-induced contraction by 19 +/- 2%Cmax (i.e. 1.95 fold,n = 5, P <0.01). Finally, 10 nM endothelin-1 induced a large, sustained contraction (98 +/- 8%Cma), but the EFS-induced contraction was significantly reduced from 20%Cmax to 6 +/- 4%Cmax (n = 6, P <0.05).In contrast, in the presence of 3 microM BQ-123 (ETA receptor-selective antagonist), 1O nM endothelin-1 induced a transient contraction mediated via ETB receptors (peak response of 59 +/- 10%Cmax at 10 min;8 +/- 2%Cmax at 45 min). Under these conditions, the standard EFS-induced contraction was increased by 26+/- l%Cmax (i.e. 2.3 fold, n = 6, P<0.01).5. The potentiation of EFS-induced contractions produced by 1 nM endothelin-1 was not mediated by ETA receptors, since 3 microM BQ-123 did not diminish this effect (n = 6). Furthermore, 1 nM endothelin-1 did not potentiate EFS-induced contractions in preparations in which the function of the ETB receptor effector system had been attenuated by desensitization (n = 6).6. In summary, endothelin-1 potentiates cholinergic nerve-mediated contractions in mouse isolated trachea, apparently by activating prejunctional ETB receptors. This neuronal pathway offers an additional mechanism through which endothelin-1 may elevate bronchomotor tone.

Salivary secretion in cat submandibular gland mediated by chorda tympani afferents

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the afferent traffic from the tongue mediated only via the chorda tympani nerve (CTN) can still elicit reflex salivary and vasodilator responses in the cat submandibular gland (SMG) after section of the lingual nerve proper (LNP). Electrical stimulation of the chorda lingual nerve (CLN) at a site approximately 5 mm distal to the intersection of the CLN and the SMG duct elicited salivary and vasodilator responses in the SMG in sympathectomized cats. Both responses were unaffected by section of the LNP. The optimal frequency of CLN stimulation for submandibular salivation and vasodilation was 20 Hz, regardless of whether the LNP had been cut. Prior treatment with the autonomic ganglion blocker hexamethonium (10 mg/kg iv) virtually abolished the salivation and the blood flow increase in SMG. Prior treatment with scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg iv) almost abolished the salivary secretions but had no effect on the vasodilator responses in the SMG elicited by CLN stimulation after LNP section. The mechanism underlying the reflex submandibular salivation mediated by chorda tympani afferents appears to involve parasympathetic muscarinic receptors, but the mechanism for the vasodilator response has yet to be established. These results indicate that afferent traffic passing through the CTN on CLN stimulation is importantly involved in the parasympathetic reflex secretory and vasodilator responses in the cat SMG.

Regulation of alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in M10 cells following treatment with nicotinic agents

The effects of chronic treatment (3 days) with the nicotinic agonists, nicotine and cytisine as well as the antagonists, d-tubocurarine, hexamethonium and dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DH beta E) on alpha 4 beta 2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were investigated in a permanently transfected cell line, M10. The number of alpha 4 beta 2 nAChRs expressed in the cell line was assayed by (-)-[3H]nicotine binding. The two enantiomers of nicotine both significantly increased the number of nAChRs in a concentration dependent manner. No changes in the levels of mRNA for either alpha 4 or beta 2 subunits were found following chronic (-)-nicotine treatment. The effect of (-)-nicotine treatment on the number of nAChRs was partially blocked by the antagonists d-tubocurarine and hexamethonium, but not by dihydro-beta-erythroidine (DH beta E). Chronic exposure of the cells to each of the antagonists did not influence the number of nAChRs. Treatment with the agonist cytisine resulted in a bell-shaped dose-dependent effect on the number of alpha 4 beta 2 nAChRs. In the presence of cytisine (microM) the effect induced by chronic(-)-nicotine treatment on the number of the nAChRs was attenuated. These results indicate that nicotinic agents can induce different regulatory effects in M10 cells due to their individual pharmacological properties as agonist and/or antagonist.

Neurogenic goblet cell secretion and bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs sensitised to trimellitic anhydride

Trimellitic anhydride is a cause of occupational asthma in humans. We have previously found that tracheal instillation of trimellitic anhydride conjugated to guinea pig serum albumin induces acute bronchoconstriction and airway plasma exudation in sensitised animals, responses mediated primarily via histamine release. In the present study, neural mechanisms mediating bronchoconstriction and goblet cell secretion were determined in trimellitic anhydride-sensitised guinea pigs using the ganglionic blocker hexamethonium to eliminate efferent reflex mechanisms, pretreatment with capsaicin to eliminate afferent mechanisms, or cimetidine and mepyramine to eliminate histamine-mediated mechanisms. The magnitude of secretion of intracellular mucus from tracheal goblet cells was quantified morphometrically as a mucus score which is inversely related to the degree of discharge. Guinea pigs were injected intradermally either with 0.1 ml 0.3% trimellitic anhydride in corn oil or with corn oil alone as control. Fourteen to eighteen days later all sensitised animals had developed specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 antibodies whereas the controls had not. Tracheal instillation of conjugated trimellitic anhydride in anaesthetised animals significantly increased airway lung resistance (RL) 24-fold in sensitised guinea pigs (34.3 +/- 7.9 cm H2O.ml-1.s) compared with controls (1.4 +/- 0.1 cm H2O.ml-1.s). Mucus score was significantly reduced by 51% (indicating goblet cell secretion) in sensitised guinea pigs (183 +/- 22 mucus score units) compared with controls (372 +/- 41 mucus score units). The antihistamines significantly inhibited conjugated trimellitic anhydride-induced bronchoconstriction by 89%, but did not significantly affect goblet cell discharge. Hexamethonium alone did not significantly affect conjugated trimellitic anhydride-induced bronchoconstriction or goblet cell secretion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of antagonists on quisqualate and nicotinic receptor-mediated currents of midbrain neurones in culture

1. The action of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) and nicotinic antagonists on excitatory postsynaptic currents (e.p.s.cs) and on quisqualate (Quis)- and nicotine-gated currents was studied by use of whole-cell recording in dissociated culture of the rat midbrain. 2. 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; 0.1 microM) and kynurenic acid (0.1 mM) attenuated network-generated and miniature e.p.s.cs while mecamylamine (100 microM) and hexamethonium (400 microM) had no effect. Acetylcholine (ACh) enhanced or suppressed e.p.s.cs. The suppressing effect of ACh was blocked by atropine (0.1-10 microM). 3. ACh (50-1000 microM) and quisqualate (Quis, 0.1-20 microM) induced inward currents with the same reversal potential as e.p.s.cs. 4. Application of Quis and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) in a low concentration (0.5 and 5 microM, respectively) evoked a maintained current which was attenuated by CNQX (1 microM) and kynurenic acid (0.5 mM) but not by mecamylamine (100 microM). 5. Higher concentrations of Quis (5-20 microM) and AMPA (50-100 microM) evoked a transient and a maintained current component. Kynurenic acid (1 mM) reduced the transient but not the maintained component. CNQX (5-10 microM) increased the maintained component without reducing the transient one; 20 microM CNQX reduced both components. 6. ACh-induced transient current was mimicked by nicotine and reversibly and dose-dependently blocked by mecamylamine. Atropine (10 microM), hexamethonium (400 microM) as well as CNQX (100 microM) and kynurenic acid (1 mM) did not affect the current. 7. Hexamethonium (50-400 microM) voltage-dependently depressed the maintained current elicited by both Quis and ACh. 8. In conclusion, although the antagonists examined here seem to discriminate between non-NMDA and nicotinic receptor-mediated e.p.s.cs, they vary considerably in respect of their mode of action when tested on Quis, AMPA and ACh-induced currents.

Two types of vasodilatation in cat choroid elicited by electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve

Choroidal blood vessels are innervated by three types of vasoactive nerve fibers: sympathetic, parasympathetic and sensory fibers in the short ciliary nerve. We investigated whether or not stimulation of the short ciliary nerve elicits vasodilatation. In 30 cats (2-4 kg) anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg kg-1, i.v.) and artificially ventilated (pancuronium bromide; 0.2 mg kg-1 hr-1, i.v.), choroidal blood flow was continuously measured trans-sclerally with a laser Doppler flowmeter. The lateral short ciliary nerve was stimulated electrically (0-50 V, 2 msec, 20 Hz, for 10 sec) at two sites, one close to the eyeball (site P) and the other between the main and accessory ciliary ganglia (site Q). Choroidal vasodilatation occurred with a high incidence (80%) in response to electrical stimulation of the short ciliary nerve at site P or Q, when cats had been treated with the alpha-adrenergic blocking agent phentolamine (3 mg kg-1) to eliminate sympathetic vasoconstrictor effects. A long-lasting vasodilatation was observed during 1% capsaicin application to the nerve bundle at site P, but not at site Q and capsaicin nearly abolished the vasodilatation evoked by stimulation at site P, but not that evoked from site Q. Vasodilatation elicited by electrical stimulation at site P or Q was not sensitive to the ganglion-blocking agent hexamethonium (3 mg kg-1, i.v.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Response of guinea pig smooth and striated urethral sphincter to cromakalim, prazosin, nifedipine, nitroprusside, and electrical stimulation

Prazosin (an alpha-1-adrenergic blocker) and cromakalim (potassium channel opener), given alone, induced significant fatigue of the urethral sphincter at a concentration of 10(-4) M; both drugs combined achieved a significant sphincteric fatigue at a concentration of 10(-5) M each. To 10(-4) M hexamethonium (ganglionic smooth muscle blocker) and 10(-4) M decamethonium (nicotinic blocker of striated muscle) the striated urethral sphincter responded like striated muscle with no detectable function of its smooth muscle component. Therefore, the striated component seems to play a dominant role in sphincteric function. With calcium depletion or in the presence of a calcium channel blocker (10(-4) M nifedipine) the urethral sphincter showed a relative enhancement of response to electrical field stimulation when compared with smooth and skeletal muscle, whose responses were both significantly reduced. This phenomenon could not be explained with calcium-dependent, inhibitory, nitric oxide-releasing nerves, as the NO-synthase blocker N-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) M to 5 x 10(-5) M) failed to induce the enhancement of sphincter contraction during electrostimulation found with calcium depletion. Still, NO-releasing nerves might play a role in sphincteric relaxation because sodium nitroprusside (10(-5) M) induced a significant relaxation of the urethral sphincter precontracted with 80 mM potassium. The potential to weaken sphincteric closure with drugs, exemplified by the results obtained in response to prazosin and cromakalim, would represent a therapeutic advance in the patient with neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Sympathetic efferent activity in the viscerovascular reflexes induced by urinary bladder distension

In chloralose-anesthetized cats, rapid distension of the urinary bladder with warm (37 degrees C) normal saline (50-60 ml) causes an increase in blood pressure and contraction of the spleen. This response is due to peripheral vasoconstriction. In this experiment, the evidence of direct involvement of the spleen, as well as splenic and splanchnic sympathetic efferent activity on the viscerovascular reflexes, was investigated by pharmacological and electrophysiological (single unit preparation) means and analysis. The viscerovascular reflexes induced by urinary bladder distension remained unaffected by propranolol, but phentolamine, guanethidine sulfate, and hexamethonium completely antagonized the reflex vasopressor response. All these results with these blocking agents show that sympathetic nerves are actively involved in the reflex responses to distension of the urinary bladder with activation at the postganglionic level involving alpha-adrenoceptors and thereby the release of catecholamines. It is thus evident that the same mechanisms operate in the case of reflex elevation of blood pressure and contraction of the spleen. After bilateral denervation of the splanchnic sympathetic nerves, bladder distension failed to produce a reflex response. The efferent activity from the splanchnic and splenic sympathetic nerves in producing a reflex rise in blood pressure was recorded for direct evidence. The significant increase of asynchronous spontaneous discharge rate in the splanchnic and splenic sympathetic nerves was found along with a rise in blood pressure during bladder distension. On the basis of this study, it may be suggested that the spleen as well as splenic and splanchnic sympathetic nerves play an important role in the control of viscerovascular reflexes.

Autonomic control of the regional hemodynamic response to scald

Ultrasonic flow probes were placed around the ascending aorta and each femoral artery of dogs to record cardiac index and femoral blood flow, respectively. Intravenous hexamethonium (n = 5) produced 30% decreases in systemic mean arterial pressure and in cardiac index, and a 14% increase in femoral blood flow, effects that waned over time, consistent with the half-life of the agent. Without hexamethonium, hind paw scalding with boiling water for 5 sec (n = 5) caused a marked increase in ipsilateral femoral artery blood flow (70.7 +/- 8.9 ml/min pre-burn vs 243.7 +/- 23.7 ml/min 5 min post-burn) that persisted for the 3 hr observation period. Contralateral femoral blood flow, systemic mean arterial pressure, and cardiac index were unchanged. Compared to burn only dogs, pre-burn treatment with hexamethonium (n = 6) blunted the femoral vasodilator response to burn (78.8 +/- 9.7 ml/min pre-burn vs 116.5 +/- 7.5 ml/min 5 min post-burn). These data suggest that postganglionic autonomic nerves are at least partially responsible for mediation of the regional vasodilator response to thermal injury.

Desensitization of the nicotine-induced mesolimbic dopamine responses during constant infusion with nicotine

1. The effects of constant nicotine infusions (0.25, 1.0 and 4.0 mg kg-1 day-1) on extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and on locomotor activity have been compared with the changes evoked by repeated daily injections (0.4 mg kg-1 day-1 for 5 days) of the drug. 2. The extracellular dopamine concentration in the NAc was significantly increased (P < 0.05) following a challenge dose of nicotine (0.4 mg kg-1, s.c.) in animals which had been pretreated with daily injections of the drug. This effect was accompanied by an enhanced locomotor response to nicotine. 3. The stimulant effects of nicotine on mesolimbic dopamine secretion and on locomotor activity were significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) by the prior administration of mecamylamine (2.0 mg kg-1, s.c.) but not by hexamethonium (2.0 mg kg-1, s.c.). 4. The constant infusion of nicotine at a rate of 1 and 4 but not 0.25 mg kg-1 day-1 abolished the sensitized dopamine response in the NAc to an injection of nicotine in animals pretreated with the drug. The locomotor responses to nicotine in the nicotine-pretreated rats were significantly attenuated by the infusion of nicotine at all 3 doses, although the nicotine induced locomotor activity, in the rats infused with 0.25 mg kg-1 day-1 was also significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that observed in the rats treated acutely with nicotine. 5. Significantly (P<0.01) enhanced mesolimbic dopamine responses, to a challenge injection of nicotine(0.4 mg kg-1, s.c.), were observed 2 and 7 days after termination of the infusion of nicotine (4 mg kg-1 day-1 for 14 days); locomotor responses were enhanced (P<0.01) 1, 2 and 7 days after termination of the infusion.6. The results suggest that sensitized mesolimbic dopamine responses to nicotine occur as a result of stimulation of centrally located nicotinic receptors but that these receptors may be desensitized during periods of chronic exposure to nicotine at doses which may be relevant to smoking.

In vivo effects of (-)-nicotine on ethanol-induced increase in glucose utilization in the mouse cerebellum

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible in vivo effects of (-)-nicotine, ethanol, and an adenosine agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) when injected individually as well as in various combinations on glucose utilization in the fresh cerebellar slices of mice. Mice received ICV (-)-nicotine or CHA followed 5 min later by a test dose of ethanol (2 g/kg; IP). Animals were killed 20 min postethanol treatment and fresh slices (300 microns) of cerebellum were incubated in a glucose medium in Warburg flasks using 14C-glucose as a tracer. Trapped 14CO2 was counted to estimate glucose utilization. Ethanol treatment markedly accentuated glucose utilization, whereas the pretreatment with (-)-nicotine (125 and 250 ng, ICV) resulted in a significant attenuation in the ethanol-induced increase in glucose utilization. However, ICV (-)-nicotine (125 ng) alone did not produce any change in the cerebellar glucose utilization. The attenuation of ethanol-induced increase in glucose utilization by (-)-nicotine was nearly totally blocked by ICV hexamethonium, a purported nicotinic antagonist, suggesting participation of cholinergic-nicotinic receptors. The (-)-nicotine pretreatment also significantly attenuated both the ICV CHA (25 ng)-induced increase in glucose utilization and the accentuation of ethanol-induced increase in glucose utilization by CHA. The antagonistic effect of (-)-nicotine on CHA- and ethanol-induced increase in glucose utilization indicating an interaction between (-)-nicotine and ethanol and between (-)-nicotine and adenosine may suggest involvement of postreceptor (nicotinic and adenosine) mechanisms including ionic channels.

Effect of carbachol on the release of peptide YY from isolated vascularly and luminally perfused rat ileum

Possible cholinergic control on the release of PYY from intestine into the lumen or blood vessel was studied by radioimmunoassay in the isolated perfused rat ileum. The basal release of PYY into the lumen was 43.1 +/- 8.9 pg/min, which was comparable with that into the vasculature (35.2 +/- 2.6 pg/min). The administration of 1 microM carbachol into the vascular perfusate resulted in a more than 40-fold increase of the luminal release but only a twofold increase of the vascular release. Carbachol-induced release of PYY into both lumen and vasculature was completely blocked by atropine, but not by hexamethonium. Tetrodotoxin abolished carbachol-induced release of PYY into lumen and vasculature. These data suggest that the ileal PYY release, into either lumen or vasculature, is under the control of postganglionic cholinergic neurons via muscarinic receptors.

Use of C1300 neuroblastoma cells to evaluate the protective value of hexamethonium, trimethaphan, hemicholinium, and triethylcholine against diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate toxicity

Our intent was to evaluate the C1300 neuroblastoma cell as an in vitro system for studying the mode of action and efficacy of drugs used to treat or prevent organophosphate intoxication. The anticholinergic drugs hexamethonium, trimethaphan, and hemocholinium and the triethylcholine and cholinesterase/reactivator 2-pyridine aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) have been shown to be effective in preventing intoxication by diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (also known as diisopropyl fluorophosphate, DFP) in vivo. We determined their efficacy in preventing cell death (as measured by trypan blue exclusion) of neuroblastoma cells alone or in combination. We also determined their efficacy in reversing the cytotoxic effects of DFP on cell DNA synthesis (as measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation), cell RNA synthesis (as measured by [3H]uridine incorporation), and on cell protein synthesis (as measured by [3H]leucine incorporation). The maximal nontoxic doses of the drugs in vitro were determined. All anticholinergic agents studied reduced the cytotoxicity of DFP using one or more parameters. 2-PAM, the cholinesterase reactivator, enhanced the cytotoxicity of DFP on cultured cells at a high concentration (1 mg/mL) and reduced it at a lower concentration (0.3 mg/mL). All four anticholinergic agents were capable of enhancing the uptake of [3H]thymidine. Only hexamethonium and hemicholinium reversed DFP inhibition of DNA synthesis. RNA synthesis was not affected by any anticholinergic agent and no agent reversed DFP inhibition of RNA synthesis. Protein synthesis was enhanced by every anticholinergic agent except hemicholinium; the inhibition of protein synthesis by DFP was reversed by trimethaphan and triethylcholine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of miosis produced by McN-A-343 in anesthetized cats

McN-A-343 is a selective M1 muscarinic agonist that stimulates muscarinic transmission in sympathetic ganglia. In preliminary experiments, we observed that i.v. McN-A-343 produced miosis in cats in the presence of nicotinic ganglionic blockade. This project was undertaken to ascertain the mechanism and site(s) by which McN-A-343 produces pupil constriction in the cat. Cats were anesthetized, the vago-sympathetic nerve trunks sectioned, and one superior cervical ganglion (SCG) was removed. Bilateral pupillary and nictitating membrane (NM) dose-response curves in response to i.v. McN-A-343 (6.25-1600 micrograms/kg) were generated during infusion of hexamethonium to block nicotinic ganglionic transmission. Experiments were repeated in animals pretreated with atropine or with the M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist, pirenzepine. In one series of experiments, selective lesions of the ciliary ganglia were undertaken. McN-A-343 produced an atropine sensitive dose-related miosis that was potentiated by removal of the SCG but not antagonized by either pirenzepine or by removal of the ciliary ganglion. In contrast, contraction of the NM was blocked by both atropine and pirenzepine and was dependent on intact sympathetic ganglionic innervation. McN-A-343 induced pupillary constriction appears to be due to direct stimulation of the iris sphincter by stimulation of M3 rather than M1 muscarinic receptors. In contrast to sympathetic ganglia where muscarinic transmission (via M1 muscarinic receptors) can readily be demonstrated, these results suggest a lack of muscarinic transmission in the parasympathetic ciliary ganglion.

Actions of cholecystokinin and norepinephrine on vagal inputs to ganglion cells in guinea pig gallbladder

Previous studies have demonstrated that all guinea pig gallbladder neurons receive nicotinic synaptic input and that cholecystokinin (CCK) and norepinephrine have presynaptic facilitory and inhibitory effects, respectively, on these fast synaptic events. The current study was undertaken to determine the sources of the cholinergic terminals that provide nicotinic input to gallbladder neurons. To stimulate potential extrinsic inputs to gallbladder neurons, a stimulating electrode was placed on the nerve bundles that pass along the cystic duct. Stimulation of these nerves elicited fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in gallbladder neurons that were sensitive to hexamethonium, facilitated by CCK, and inhibited by norepinephrine. After vagotomy, most neurons (14 of 18) did not exhibit any nicotinic input. However, some neurons (3 of 18) did exhibit fast EPSPs in response to fiber tract stimulation, but not cystic nerve stimulation, indicating that interganglionic communication does exist amongst gallbladder neurons. These results demonstrate that the vagus nerves provide the major nicotinic input to gallbladder neurons. Furthermore, these data suggest that vagal terminals within gallbladder are a site of neurohormonal modulation of gallbladder ganglionic output by CCK, norepinephrine, and possibly other compounds.

Lack of long-term potentiation, non-cholinergic transmission and muscarinic inhibition in cat superior cervical ganglia innervated by nodose ganglion cells

In anesthetized cats, in which a nodose-superior cervical ganglion (SCG) anastomosis had been performed 6-9 months earlier, the nictitating membrane contraction evoked by electrical stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve ipsilateral to the anastomosis was recorded. The competence of nodose neurons in regulation the multiple synaptic mechanisms of the sympathetic ganglion was tested by comparing this response with the responses to stimulation of (self-reinnervated SCG). The response of the nictitating membrane ipsilateral to the anastomosis was smaller and had a lower EC50 for hexamethonium (C6) than the responses of the nictitating membrane ipsilateral to the intact or sutured CST. A 40 Hz 10s stimulus train to the intact or sutured CST produced potentiation of ganglionic transmission lasting 1 hour or longer, while a similar stimulus train to the anastomosed cervical vagus nerve produced no potentiation. During block of ganglionic nicotinic transmission with C6, CST or vagus nerve stimulation evoked responses which increased in amplitude with increasing stimulus frequency and were blocked by the selective muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine. When the anticholinesterase eserine was added, the responses evoked by preganglionic stimulation decreased in amplitude in the intact SCG, as previously shown [7], and in the self-reinnervated SCG. This effect, which is due to inhibition mediated by muscarinic receptors selectively blocked by AF-DX116, was absent in the anastomosed SCG. During block of ganglionic transmission with C6 and atropine, a 40 Hz stimulus train to the intact or to the sutured CST evoked a slow, small amplitude contraction that was enhanced by naloxone. This response, most likely mediated by peptides [6], was absent in the anastomosed SCG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Developmental regulation of multiple nicotinic AChR channel subtypes in embryonic chick habenula neurons: contributions of both the alpha 2 and alpha 4 subunit genes

Habenula neurons from both early and late stage embryonic chickens express multiple subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor channels (nAChRs). The channel subtypes expressed by habenula neurons are similar in functional properties, but apparently distinct in subunit composition, from their peripheral counterparts in autonomic ganglia. Early in development, nicotine activates four classes of neuronal bungarotoxin (nBGT)-sensitive channels (approx. conductance = 15, 30, 50, 60pS) that are intermingled on the surface of habenula neuronal somata. In neurons removed from older animals, nAChR channel activity has increased 4- to 40-fold and channel subtypes have become spatially segregated from one another. Analysis of the profile of nAChR subunit gene expression by polymerase chain reaction indicates that several of the alpha-type subunit genes, including alpha 2,3,4,5,7, and alpha 8, as well as both beta 2 and beta 4, are expressed. Treatment of the neurons with subunit specific antisense oligonucleotides reveals that the alpha 2 and alpha 4 (but not alpha 3) subunits contribute to the functional profile of native nAChRs expressed by habenula neurons. Consideration of the functional properties and apparent subunit composition of autonomic ganglion nAChRs in the chick suggests that habenula neurons may utilize a very distinct set of subunit combinations to produce an array of nAChR channel subtypes similar in both conductance and pharmacological profile to those expressed by sympathetic neurons.

Nitric oxide induces acetylcholine-mediated contractions in the guinea-pig small intestine

In longitudinal muscle/myenteric plexus preparations of the guinea-pig ileum, exogenous nitric oxide (NO) induced concentration-dependent relaxations. In tissues at basal tone, NO (3 x 10(-6) M) induced a moderate relaxation followed by a pronounced contraction, consisting of a quick and sustained component. Tetrodotoxin (5 x 10(-7) M) abolished both phases of the contraction. Atropine (5 x 10(-7) M) abolished the quick component and reduced the sustained component of the contraction; the latter was further suppressed by the selective NK1 receptor antagonist CP 96,345. Hexamethonium (5 x 10(-5) M) failed to affect the contractile response to NO. It is concluded that administration of exogenous NO in the guinea-pig ileum can lead to activation cholinergic and to a lesser degree tachykininergic neurones.

The kappa agonist fedotozine modulates colonic distention-induced inhibition of gastric motility and emptying in dogs

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gastric motor disturbances, associated with a delay in gastric emptying, occur in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome. The influence of fedotozine and kappa agonists on the cologastric reflex produced by nonpainful colonic distention was evaluated in conscious dogs.

METHODS

Colonic distention was applied in dogs fitted with either strain gauges or gastric cannula to assess its influence on gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying, respectively.

RESULTS

Colonic distention delayed the occurrence of gastric migrating motor complex by 141%, an effect blocked by intravenous fedotozine, U 50,488 (25 and 50 micrograms/kg), and hexamethonium (0.5 mg/kg) but not by D-Ala2, N-methyl, Phe4, Gly5-ol enkephalin (1, 5, and 10 micrograms/kg), granisetron (50 and 100 micrograms/kg), or bretylium tosylate (5 mg/kg). Nor-binaltorphimine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg intravenously) eliminated the suppressive action of fedotozine. Colonic distention reduced the 1-hour gastric emptying of solids by 40.1%, an effect blocked by fedotozine and U 50,488 (50 and 100 micrograms/kg); nor-binaltorphimine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg) antagonized the blocking effect of fedotozine.

CONCLUSIONS

Fedotozine acts through kappa receptors to block the colonic distention-induced delay on gastric motility and emptying. The cologastric reflex involves nicotinic ganglionic receptors but not adrenergic pathway and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptors.

Characterization of muscarinic receptors involved in tracheal CGRP release

Application of acetylcholine (ACh) to isolated rat trachea induces an increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) outflow in the perfusates. The elevation of CGRP release by ACh was absent in capsaicin-desensitized preparations, suggesting that the release of peptide is derived from capsaicin-sensitive afferent nerves. ACh-induced release was not altered by hexamethonium, but was significantly attenuated by atropine, indicating involvement of the muscarinic receptor. Effects of three selective muscarinic subtype antagonists, pirenzepine (M1), methoctramine (M2) and 4-DAMP (M3) on ACh-evoked release were examined. The ordering of antagonist potency was: 4-DAMP (ED50 = 14 nM) > pirenzepine (3.8 microM) > methoctramine (> 10 microM). The results suggest that the muscarinic receptor mediating tracheal CGRP release resembles the M3 receptor subtype.

Muscarinic involvement in vascular and adrenal medullary responses to splanchnic nerve stimulation in conscious calves

Stimulation of the peripheral end of the right splanchnic nerve (4 Hz for 10 min) in the presence of hexamethonium caused a small but significant rise in mean aortic blood pressure which was subsequently abolished by atropine. There were also small but significant increases in the outputs of catecholamines, [Met5]-enkephalins and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) from the right adrenal gland. The catecholamine response was roughly halved after atropine while the outputs of enkephalins and CRF were unaffected. It is concluded that splanchnic sympathetic postganglionic neurones supplying the vasculature are completely blocked by cholinergic blockade whereas adrenal medullary responses persist in an attenuated form.

Nicotine protects cultured striatal neurones against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated neurotoxicity

The role of cholinergic mechanisms in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated neuronal death was investigated using mouse striatal neurones in primary culture. A 30 min exposure of striatal neurones to increasing concentrations of NMDA resulted 24 h later in dramatic neuronal degeneration as assessed by MTT staining, crystal violet incorporation and determination of microtubule-associated protein 2. The NMDA-induced neurodegeneration was strongly inhibited by the co-application of two non-selective cholinergic agonists, acetylcholine or carbachol. This protective effect appears to be mediated by nicotinic receptors since it was insensitive to the muscarinic antagonist atropine but mimicked by nicotine, nornicotine and 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium. Moreover, the nicotine-evoked neuroprotection was inhibited by the central nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. Therefore, this study suggests that cholinergic interneurones play an important role in neuronal survival in the striatum.

HCl-stimulated duodenal HCO3- secretion in conscious rat. Interactions among VIP, nicotinic receptor mechanisms, and prostaglandins

Using an isolated loop of the proximal duodenum of conscious rats, the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the duodenal HCO3- response to HCl was examined, especially interactions with participating cholinoceptor mechanisms and prostaglandins. A 5-min perfusion with 150 mmol/liter HCl increased luminal VIP during 3 hr, with a peak output during and immediately after the acid challenge. The HCl-stimulated output was unaffected by atropine and hexamethonium, but was augmented by indomethacin from 13.6 (9.5-17.8) to 39 (20-85) fmol/cm/min. The HCO3- secretion in response to graded doses of intravenous VIP (0.00625-6 nmol/kg/30 min) was dose-dependent to maximally 33.5 +/- 10.5 mumol/cm/hr. The HCO3- secretion during a single intravenous infusion of VIP (12 nmol/kg/hr), 13.9 +/- 4.2 mumol/cm/hr, was unchanged by atropine, reduced to 10.0 +/- 3.5 mumol/cm/hr by hexamethonium, and augmented to 18.9 +/- 4.7 mumol/cm/hr by indomethacin. Exogenous VIP did not change the basal luminal output of PGE2; neither did exogenous PGE2 nor indomethacin affect the basal luminal output of VIP. HCl-induced increases in luminal outputs of VIP, substance P, and neurokinin A (the two latter with unknown roles) were differentially affected by atropine, hexamethonium, and indomethacin, indicating that the acid challenge released the peptides through controlled mechanisms. In conclusion, in the duodenal HCO3- response to luminal HCl, VIP may have a stimulatory role, which partially depends on nicotinic, but not on muscarinic cholinoceptor mechanisms, and which is negatively modulated by prostaglandins.

Substance P activates rat colonic motility via excitatory and inhibitory neural pathways and direct action on muscles

We studied effects of nicotinic, muscarinic, serotoninergic, dopaminergic, adrenergic, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) antagonists, VIP, nitric oxide-synthase inhibitors and stimulators alone and in combination with tetrodotoxin on substance P (SP)-stimulated intraluminal tone of the isolated proximal, middle and distal rat colon. Tetrodotoxin significantly enhanced SP-stimulated intraluminal tonic pressure in the distal, but not in the middle and proximal colon. N omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester enhanced SP stimulation in all colonic segments, whereas L-arginine inhibited it partially and D-arginine did not affect it. Atropine and hexamethonium partially inhibited SP stimulation of the middle and distal colon. Tetrodotoxin completely abolished the effects of L-arginine, atropine and/or hexamethonium on SP stimulation. Propranolol, phentolamine, reserpine, telenzepine, naloxone, Mr 2266, a VIP antagonist (H9935) and ketanserin did not affect SP-induced colonic muscle stimulation. VIP strongly reduced SP-stimulated intraluminal pressure in all colonic segments. VIP(10-28), a putative VIP antagonist, produced similar inhibition of SP-stimulated intraluminal tonic pressure, but did not affect N omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester-induced enhancement of SP-stimulated intraluminal pressure in any segments. It is concluded that in the isolated rat colon SP-stimulated intraluminal pressure (mainly generated by circular muscles) by a direct action on colonic muscles over the whole colonic length and by simultaneous activation of neural cholinergic excitatory pathways in the middle and distal, of noncholinergic excitatory pathways in the proximal colonic segment, and by activation of nitric oxide-dependent inhibitory neural pathways. VIP seems not to be directly involved in this inhibitory pathway.

Role of hypogastric nerve activity in opossum internal anal sphincter function: influence of surgical and chemical denervation

The exact role of the hypogastric nerve (HGN) in the regulation of basal internal anal sphincter pressures (IASP) and rectoanal reflex (RAR)-induced internal anal sphincter (IAS) relaxation is not known. The studies were performed to investigate the effect of electrical stimulation of HGN (HGNS) on IASP and RAR-induced fall in IASP, simultaneously record the HGN activity (HGNA) and IASP in response to different volumes of rectal balloon distension (RBD) to mimic RAR and determine the neural pathway involved in RBD-induced changes in HGNA. The recording of multifiber unit efferent HGNA was carried out after ipsilateral deafferentation in animals. HGNS produced a frequency-dependent rise in IASP and suppression of RBD-induced fall in IASP. Hexamethonium markedly attenuated the basal HGNA by 86% without causing a significant change in the basal IASP. Five cc of RBD caused a fall in IASP of 70.8 +/- 4.8% without any significant change in HGNA. Further increases in the RBD volume caused a volume-dependent increase in the basal HGNA and a biphasic systemic arterial pressure response (an initial fall followed by an elevation). These responses were suppressed by sympathectomy or sacral denervation. Sympathectomy plus sacral denervation caused complete obliteration of these responses. The data suggest that in the basal state, HGN may not play a significant role in the resting IASP and RAR-induced IAS relaxation. However, there was a significant sympathoexcitation in response to higher volumes of RBD (supramaximal stimulus for RAR). Hypogastric and sacral nerves may participate in the afferent pathways for the RBD-induced sympathoexcitation.

Opioids induce while nicotine suppresses apoptosis in human lung cancer cells

Previously, we have shown that opioids acting via specific receptors inhibit the growth of human lung cancer cells while nicotine, acting through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, reverses this inhibition. Therefore, we studied the role of apoptosis in these processes. Treatment of human lung cancer cells with 0.1-1 microM morphine or methadone resulted in morphological changes and cleavage of DNA into nucleosome-sized fragments characteristic of apoptosis. Quantitation of DNA fragmentation showed that a dose-dependent increase occurred within 2 h of opioid treatment and was blocked by the antagonist naloxone. The apoptotic effect of opioids was suppressed by nicotine, while the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists, hexamethonium and decamethonium, reversed this suppression. In contrast, sphingosine, a protein kinase C inhibitor, caused significant DNA fragmentation which was not suppressed by nicotine. Unexpectedly, the combination of hexamethonium and opioids or hexamethonium and nicotine stimulated apoptosis. We found that nicotine, like phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, increased total protein kinase C (PKC) activity, while morphine and sphingosine decreased PKC activity, and nicotine reversed morphine inhibition of PKC activity. In contrast, methadone unexpectedly increased PKC activity. These results indicate that engagement of opioid receptors in human lung cancer cells induces apoptosis, while engagement of nicotine receptors suppresses apoptosis, which in some cases appear to be working through a PKC pathway. They also suggest complexities in the system where blockade of C6 or C10 nicotinic receptors can lead to facilitation of apoptosis. These findings suggest new strategies for treatment and prevention of cancer using opioids or nicotine receptors antagonists and are consistent with the idea that nicotine functions as a tumor promoter.

Mechanism underlying nicotine-induced relaxation in dog saphenous arteries

In isolated dog saphenous arterial strips denuded of the endothelium, the mechanism underlying relaxations induced by nicotine was analyzed. Nicotine-induced contractions were abolished by treatment with prazosin and alpha,beta-methylene ATP. In the strips thus treated and contracted with prostaglandin F2 alpha, nicotine produced a relaxation, which was abolished by hexamethonium. The relaxation was inhibited by cyclooxygenase inhibitors and markedly attenuated in the strips made tachyphylactic to calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) but not to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. The remaining relaxation in the strips treated with indomethacin and CGRP was abolished by NG-nitro-L-arginine, a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, and the inhibition was reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Perivascular nerves containing NO synthase immunoreactivity have been demonstrated in an earlier report. CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the adventitia. It appears that the nicotine-induced relaxation is associated with stimulation of vasodilator nerves liberating NO and CGRP, and adrenergic neurogenic vasoconstriction predominates over the neurogenic vasodilatation in dog saphenous arteries.

Effect of anterior unilateral vagotomy on healing of kissing gastric ulcers induced in rats

Unilateral vagotomy causes atrophy of the denervated fundic mucosa in rat stomachs. We examined whether or not unilateral vagotomy delays healing of gastric ulcers induced on the denervated mucosa. Kissing ulcers were induced in the fundus of rat stomachs by intraluminal application of an acetic acid solution. Anterior unilateral vagotomy was performed subdiaphragmatically at the time of ulceration. The healing of gastric ulcers induced on the denervated side was significantly enhanced, whereas that on the vagally intact side was not affected. In unilaterally denervated animals, the total gastric acid secretion (both basal and 2-deoxy-D-glucose stimulated) was inhibited, and the pH around the ulcers was increased only in the anterior side. Repeatedly administered histamine failed to affect the enhanced ulcer healing in unilaterally denervated animals. Gastric emptying and mucosal cell proliferation stimulated by food or pentagastrin were unaffected. Serum gastrin significantly increased 19 days after vagotomy. Gastric relaxation on refeeding was inhibited on the denervated side, but this inhibition of relaxation was reversed by hexamethonium treatment. A liquid diet significantly enhanced the healing of ulcers on both the denervated and vagally intact sides. The mechanism by which unilateral vagotomy accelerates the healing of ulcers on the denervated side appears to relate to the inhibition of both gastric acid secretion and gastric relaxation.

Capsaicin-activated bronchial- and alveolar-initiated pathways regulating tracheal ciliary beat frequency

We questioned whether the prolonged stimulation of ciliary beat frequency (CBF) to a short exposure of low-dose capsaicin (Wong et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 68: 257-2580, 1990) could be due to the activation of indirect pathways involving neural reflexes initiated independently in the bronchi and alveoli. Tracheal CBF (CBFtr) was measured temporally in anesthetized groups of 10 dogs by means of heterodyne-mode correlation analysis laser light scattering. To elucidate the site of the afferent neural stimulation and the efferent mediators affecting the ciliated epithelium, capsaicin (3 nM) aerosol was delivered for 4 min, either predominantly to the bronchi or to the alveolar regions, with use of pulsed aerosol techniques. This resulted in 13 pg of bronchial (85%) and 10 pg of alveolar (96%) capsaicin deposited, which caused marked stimulation of CBFtr with maxima at 7 and 35 min, respectively. Prior administration of aerosolized indomethacin to the bronchi or aerosolized cromolyn to the alveoli inhibited the bronchial and alveolar responses, respectively. Prior administration of aerosolized hexamethonium to the tracheal lumen blocked the stimulatory CBFtr responses from both capsaicin challenges. Ipratropium or propranolol aerosols delivered to the tracheal lumen also inhibited these responses. It is proposed that these pathways comprise one set of sensitive mechanisms to ensure a prolonged stimulation of CBF to effect the removal of secretions and the irritant from the lungs.

Characterization of extracellular pH drop due to the activation of the secretory process by acetylcholine in the bovine adrenal medulla

A progressive and reversible decrease of external pH accompanied the catecholamine release elicited by acetylcholine in decorticated bovine adrenal glands perfused with buffer-free Locke solution adjusted to an initial pH of 7.4. Both the secretory response as well as the extracellular acid shift promoted by the cholinergic agonist were antagonized by hexamethonium plus atropine, Mg2+ and verapamil. Experiments performed to assess the effects of the reduction of external pH on acetylcholine-induced release of catecholamines revealed that increasing the extracellular concentration of H+ significantly and reversibly reduced this secretory response. These findings are consistent with the idea that adrenomedullary activation of secretion by acetylcholine could be associated with a transient acidification of the extracellular fluid. This release of protons, arising mainly from the chromaffin granules, may be involved in a local automodulatory mechanism of the regulated secretory process.

A correlative study on the mechanism of adaptive cytoprotection against ethanol-induced gastric lesion formation in rats

The protective effect of mild irritants against the subsequent gastric injury induced by necrotizing agents has been termed 'adaptive cytoprotection'. In this study, the possible pathway and mechanisms of adaptive cytoprotection induced by 20% ethanol were investigated. An ex-vivo gastric chamber preparation was used. The gastric mucosa was exposed to 20% ethanol before subsequent administration of 100% ethanol 15 min later. Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or drug pretreatment was carried out in order to elucidate the mechanisms of adaptive cytoprotection by 20% ethanol. The results showed that 20% ethanol pre-exposure significantly protected the gastric mucosa against damage caused by 100% ethanol. This protective action was completely abolished by atropine or lidocaine pretreatment, whereas vagotomy and hexamethonium failed to have a significant influence. The cytoprotective effect, however, was independent of the gastric secretory volume, titratable acid content, luminal soluble mucus level and gastric mucosal blood flow. Exposure of only half the gastric mucosa to the mild irritant resulted in the protection of both sides of the mucosa. All these findings indicate that the adaptive cytoprotection of 20% ethanol involves the participation of chemoreceptors and muscarinic receptors in the gastric mucosa. An internal enteric reflex arc, with transmission of signals within the gastric mucosa, may also contribute to the cytoprotective process of the mild irritant.

Neurally maintained hypersecretion in undernourished rat intestine activated by E. coli STa enterotoxin and cyclic nucleotides in vitro

1. The electrogenic secretory responses of stripped jejuna and ilea from chronically undernourished rats (50% control diet for 21 days) to the bacterial enterotoxin Escherichia coli STa, measured as the short-circuit current in vitro, show an enhanced maximum secretion (ISC, max) with a prolonged duration compared with fed intestine. 2. The ISC, max is unaffected by pretreatment of the intestine in vitro with hexamethonium, atropine, procaine or indomethacin, or by desensitization to 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), while the prolonged duration is unaffected by atropine, indomethacin or 5-HT desensitization but is reduced by hexamethonium and procaine. 3. Both 8-bromo-cyclic GMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP added serosally activate the enhanced ISC, max and its maintenance. Pretreatment with tetrodotoxin had no effect on the initial ISC, max but prevented its maintenance. 4. Bethanechol, dimethyl phenyl piperazinium, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, 5-HT and luminal propionate all induced the characteristic hypersecretory activity in the undernourished intestine compared with the fed state, but none could activate the maintenance circuit to prolong their transient responses. 5. Maintenance of the induced hypersecretory activity is the first example of induction of the neural control of intestinal secretion by the dietary intake level and illustrates the plasticity of the enteric nervous system.

c-Fos- and JunB-immunoreactivities in the enteric nervous system of the guinea-pig ileum

We examined the expression of c-Fos and JunB in four immunohistochemical subtypes of enteric neurones in the guinea-pig ileum. In whole mount preparations of the myenteric and submucous plexuses from isolated segments incubated in normal Krebs' solution, increased numbers of many cells expressed visible c-Fos- and JunB-immunoreactivities. These increases may have been associated with the process of isolation and/or incubation conditions. Depolarizing stimulation by veratridine or 50 mM K+ induced further increases of neuronal c-Fos and JunB expression with no obvious subtype preference. This probably reflected a non-specific activation of most enteric neurones by these stimuli and supports the idea that expression of c-Fos and JunB in most or all enteric neurones may be a useful determinant of activation.

Characteristics of tail-tremor induced by nicotine in rats

To characterize the tail-tremor and locomotor hyperactivity induced by repeated nicotine administration, the effects of nicotinic, alpha-adrenergic and dopaminergic blockers were investigated in rats. Daily administration of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) induced tail-tremor from the 4th day, which became more marked in intensity by subsequent administration. Locomotor hyperactivity was also induced by nicotine, which was enhanced by daily administration. The tail-tremor and locomotor hyperactivity induced by repeated nicotine administration were inhibited by mecamylamine (0.1-1 mg/kg, i.p.) but not by hexamethonium (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.). Clonidine (0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg, i.p.) and prazosin (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced tail-tremor more markedly than hyperactivity. However, haloperidol (0.05-0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) and chlorpromazine (1-5 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced hyperactivity more markedly than tail-tremor. These results suggest that nicotine-induced tail-tremor and hyperactivity are due to an increased susceptibility of central nicotinic receptors of nicotine followed by catecholaminergic mechanisms, and that tail-tremor may be more associated with the noradrenergic system than the dopaminergic system.

Acetylcholine receptor agonists stimulate [3H]taurine release from rat sympathetic ganglia

The endogenous taurine content, and the uptake and release of [3H]taurine were examined using the rat superior cervical ganglion. Taurine was found to be one of the most abundant amino acids in the superior cervical ganglion, and the superior cervical ganglion took up [3H]taurine from the incubation medium. Carbachol stimulated the release of [3H]taurine in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 of 26 microM and maximal stimulation at 100 microM. The nicotinic receptor agonist 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium stimulated release with the same potency but with greater efficacy than carbachol. The nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium (1 mM) inhibited carbachol-stimulated release by 74%. (+/-)-Muscarine stimulated release with an EC50 of 8 microM but with a maximal effect of only 32% of that produced by 100 microM carbachol. Oxotremorine, another muscarinic receptor agonist, was ineffective, even at 1 mM. The muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine inhibited carbachol-stimulated release by 30% at 10 microM. These results show that [3H]taurine release from rat superior cervical ganglion can be stimulated by cholinergic receptor agonists. Release is mediated predominantly by a nicotinic receptor and partially by a muscarinic receptor.

Control of melanosome movements in isolated skin melanophores of a catfish Clarias batrachus (Linn.)

Adrenergic and cholinergic receptors have been studied in isolated skin melanophores of a catfish Clarias batrachus. Catecholamines induced a strong aggregatory effect on the melanophores. Melanosome aggregation induced by adrenaline and noradrenaline was partially blocked by alpha adrenergic receptor blockers and a beta receptor blocker. Cholinomimetic drugs aroused a significant dispersion of melanophroes. Atropine effectively blocked the dispersal, responses of melanophores to acetylcholine and carbachol, while, hexamethonium blocked the nocotine induced dispersal responses of the melanophores.

Gastrin-releasing peptide stimulation of amylase release from rat pancreatic lobules involves intrapancreatic neurons

Gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) immunoreactivity has been localized to nerve fibers innervating pancreatic acini and identified in nerve cell bodies within intrapancreatic ganglia. The role of intrapancreatic neurotransmission in GRP- and neuromedin C (NmC)-stimulated amylase release was investigated using rat pancreatic lobules in vitro. Lobule responsiveness to neuronal depolarization was demonstrated by amylase release upon exposure to 55 mM potassium (207 +/- 7% of control) or veratridine (294 +/- 12%). Both GRP and NmC produced dose-dependent increases in lobular amylase release, with ED50 values of 1.1 nM and 0.13 nM, respectively. Amylase release in response to submaximal concentrations of GRP were significantly inhibited by tetrodotoxin (78 +/- 5% of control) or hexamethonium (71 +/- 5% of control). GRP-stimulated amylase release was decreased to 71 +/- 5% of control by atropine coincubation. NmC-stimulated amylase release was not affected by tetrodotoxin, hexamethonium, or atropine. GRP (10(-10) to 10(-6) M) produced dose-dependent increments in [3H]acetylcholine release from pancreatic lobules. GRP stimulates amylase release from rat pancreatic lobules by a neurally mediated mechanism in addition to direct action on acinar membrane receptors.