EGTA induced fast potentials in rat small intestine

Stimulation of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid release by calcium chelators in synaptosomes

The effect of EGTA on the release of labeled gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, acetylcholine, and dopamine was studied in superfused synaptosomes from mouse brain. In the absence of both Ca2+ and Mg2+, EGTA and also EDTA at 50 microM or higher concentrations induced a 2.5-5-fold stimulation of [3H]GABA release, similar to that produced by potassium depolarization, whereas only a slight effect, or no effect at all, was observed on the release of the other transmitters studied. The GABA-releasing action of EGTA was practically abolished in the presence of Mg2+. In contrast, the effect of EDTA was also observed when the medium contained Mg2+. Studies on the ionic dependence showed that the stimulation of GABA release by EGTA was abolished in a Na+-free medium. Li+ did not substitute Na+ for the EGTA effect, which was also independent of chloride. This Na+ dependence does not seem to involve voltage-sensitive channels, since tetrodotoxin did not affect the GABA-releasing action of EGTA, whereas in parallel superfusion chambers it blocked over 80% the stimulation of GABA release by veratridine. In contrast, two calcium channel blockers in synaptosomes, La3+ and the cationic dye ruthenium red, greatly inhibited the GABA-releasing effect of EGTA. L-2,4-Diaminobutyric acid, an inhibitor of the Na+-dependent GABA carrier, did not affect the releasing action of EGTA, whereas in a parallel experiment this drug inhibited by more than 90% the exchange of labeled GABA with unlabeled GABA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Depolarization-induced contractile activity of smooth muscle in calcium-free solution

In calcium-free solution, strips of cat intestinal muscle developed slow, rhythmic electrical potential changes that triggered contractions. Some strips failed to develop spontaneous electrical activity in calcium-free solution but responded with contractions to depolarization by direct electrical stimulation or by treatment with barium chloride, potassium chloride, or acetylcholine. Similar results were obtained with segments of cat stomach, colon, esophagus, bladder, uterus, and vena cava, as well as with rabbit vena cava. In calcium-free saline, rat small intestinal muscle showed fast electrical activity with accompanying development of a tetanuslike contraction. After 60 min in calcium-free solution, cat small intestinal muscle retained 17.7% of its original concentration of calcium. It is concluded that in some smooth muscles, depolarization-triggered release of intracellular calcium does not require an associated influx of calcium.