A transient state concept of drug receptor interaction

Desensitization, two-state receptors and pharmacological parameters

Katz' classical desensitization theory is examined and expanded. Two possible desensitization mechanisms are found to be thermodynamically identical with drug action on a two-state receptor and capable of interpretation as escape from an instability imposed by the activation of the receptor. The expanded theory of desensitization enables classical receptor theory to accomodate unexplained experimental facts such as the "fade" of both agonistic and antagonistic drug action and the metaphilic effect; it also makes it possible to interpret the variable efficacy or intrinsic activity of partial agonists as very rapid desensitization of drug-receptor complexes.

The masking role of the sodium pump and chloride ions on the effect of carbachol in- and outside the endplate region of rat diaphragm muscle

The effect of carbachol (10(-3)M) on the membrane potential of rat diaphragm muscle fibres near and remote from the endplate has been investigated by means of a microelectrode technique. In the endplate region a rather slow depolarization was observed followed by spontaneous repolarization. Outside the endplate region similar, but smaller, responses could be measured. In a muscle part separated from the endplate zone, carbachol had no depolarizing effect. Inhibition of the sodium pump by ouabain (10(-4)M) or potassium-free medium not changing the membrane potential itself, allowed carbachol to exert a depolarizing effect on this endplate-free membrane, while in endplate-free regions continuous with the endplate-zone the depolarizations already observed were enhanced. In low chloride solutions carbachol also had a depolarizing effect on endplate-free muscle membrane. It is concluded from these experiments that a direct effect of cholinergic drugs on endplate-free muscle membrane of rat diaphragm is counteracted by the sodium pump in combination with passive chloride movements. The results are discussed in the context of known receptor densities and chloride effects.

The negative inotropic action of propanidid. influence on calcium movements in atrial tissue

Propanidid (Epontol), a general anaesthetic agent with a particularly short action in vivo significantly depressed the contraction amplitude of guinea pig isolated atria. A steep concentration-response curve could be established. Contractile force of electrically driven atria (180/min) was reduced by approximately 50% at a propanidid concentration of 3.5 x 10-4 M in the medium. The negative inotropic effect developed rapidly (less than 10 min). At concentrations of 4.5 x 10-4 M and less propanidid hardly reduced the frequency of spontaneously beating atria. The uptake of extracellular 45 Ca by spontaneously beating atria occurred significantly more slowly in presence of propanidid (4.5 x 10-4 M ), whereas the exchangeable calcium fraction remained unchanged. Accordingly, propanidid reduced the rate of exchange of calcium so that less ionized calcium was available for excitation-contraction coupling. Propanidid (4.5 x 10-4 M) accelerated the uptake of 45Ca by isolated plasma membranes, obtained from guinea pig ventricular muscle. Moreover, the binding capacity for calcium by isolated membranes was increased in presence of propanidid. These observations imply that less ionized calcium is available for activation of the contractile system. It is concluded that the negative inotropic action of propanidid is probably due to the drug's influence on membrane function, thus bringing about an important change in cellular calcium metabolism.

Analysis of ergotamine - 5-HT interaction on the isolated rat stomach preparation

The effect of ergotamine on the isolated rat stomach and its influence on the response to ACh and 5-HT were investigated. The log dose-response curve of ergotamine was bell-shaped. Extension of the incubation time of ergotamine resulted in a parallel shift to the left of the curve. The response to ergotamine was inhibited by methyserigide and piperoxan. Incubation with ergotamine resulted in a decrease of the pD2-value of 5-HT together with a marked suppression of the maximum of the 5-HT curve. The response to ACh was affected in accordance with the prediction of an action of ACh and ergotamine on different receptors. The prolonged receptor stimulation by 5-HT or ACh resulted in a decrease of the apparent affinity towards their receptors. Incubation with ACh resulted in a parallel shift to the right of the 5-HT curve. However no inconsistency with the theoretical prediction of an action on separate receptors was observed with the ACh curve in the presence of 5-HT. It is concluded that ergotamine is a partial agonist on the D-tryptamine receptors of tbe isolated rat stomach. The marked decrease of the maximum of the 5-HT curve by ergotamine is probably caused by the slowly reversible character of its antagonism. The parallel shift to the left of the ergotamine curve with the extension of the incubation time and the persistence of its antagonism both are probably caused by a slow diffusion into and from the biophase.