Nitric oxide-mediated relaxation without concomitant changes in cyclic GMP content of rat proximal colon

Inhibitory action of oxytocin on spontaneous contraction of rat distal colon by nitrergic mechanism: involvement of cyclic GMP and apamin-sensitive K+ channels

AIM

The mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of oxytocin (OT) on colon tone are not totally understood. We explore the mechanisms of OT on spontaneous contractility in rat distal colon and identify the mediators involved in this action.

METHODS

In rat distal colon strips, mechanical activity was analysed and the production of nitric oxide (NO) in tissue loaded with the fluorochrome DAF-FM was visualized by confocal microscopy. OT receptor (OTR) expression was determined by Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

In rat distal colon, OT produced a concentration-dependent reduction in the spontaneous contraction, which was abolished by the OTR antagonist atosiban, the neural blocker tetrodotoxin and the inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) NPLA. The inhibitory effects of OT were not affected by propranolol, atropine, the nicotinic cholinoceptor blocker hexamethonium, the vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor antagonist VIPHyb, the P₂ purinoceptor antagonist PPADS, the adenosine A1 receptors antagonist DPCPX and the prostacyclin receptor antagonist Ro1138452. The soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor ODQ and the small conductance Ca²⁺ -activated K⁺ (_Ca K⁺ ) channels blocker apamin significantly reduced the relaxation induced by OT, nicotine, sodium nitroprusside and the sGC activator BAY 41-2272. The neural release of NO elicited by OT was prevented by NPLA, tetrodotoxin and atosiban. The presence of the OTR and its co-localization with nNOS was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting experiments.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate the NO release from enteric neurones induced by activation of OTR mediates distal colon relaxation. sGC and small conductance _Ca K⁺ channels are involved in this relaxation.

Vascular endothelium and blood flow

Major advances have been made over the last decade towards the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms involved in the endothelium-dependent regulation of vascular tone and blood flow. While the primary endothelium-derived vasodilator autacoid is nitric oxide, it is clear that epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and other endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factors, as well as endothelin-1 and reactive oxygen species, play a significant role in the regulation of vascular tone and gene expression. This review is intended as an overview of the signalling mechanisms that link haemodynamic stimuli (such as shear stress and cyclic stretch) and endothelial cell perturbation to the activation of enzymes generating vasoactive autacoids.

Gastrointestinal Function Regulation by Nitrergic Efferent Nerves

Gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle responses to stimulation of the nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory nerves have been suggested to be mediated by polypeptides, ATP, or another unidentified neurotransmitter. The discovery of nitric-oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors greatly contributed to our understanding of mechanisms involved in these responses, leading to the novel hypothesis that NO, an inorganic, gaseous molecule, acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The nerves whose transmitter function depends on the NO release are called "nitrergic", and such nerves are recognized to play major roles in the control of smooth muscle tone and motility and of fluid secretion in the GI tract. Endothelium-derived relaxing factor, discovered by Furchgott and Zawadzki, has been identified to be NO that is biosynthesized from l-arginine by the constitutive NO synthase in endothelial cells and neurons. NO as a mediator or transmitter activates soluble guanylyl cyclase and produces cyclic GMP in smooth muscle cells, resulting in relaxation of the vasculature. On the other hand, NO-induced GI smooth muscle relaxation is mediated, not only by cyclic GMP directly or indirectly via hyperpolarization, but also by cyclic GMP-independent mechanisms. Numerous cotransmitters and cross talk of autonomic efferent nerves make the neural control of GI functions complicated. However, the findingsrelated to the nitrergic innervation may provide us a new way of understanding GI tract physiology and pathophysiology and might result in the development of new therapies of GI diseases. This review article covers the discovery of nitrergic nerves, their functional roles, and pathological implications in the GI tract.

Mechanisms underlying the nitric oxide inhibitory effects in mouse ileal longitudinal muscle

We investigated the mechanisms involved in the nitric oxide (NO)-induced inhibitory effects on longitudinal smooth muscle of mouse ileum, using organ bath technique. Exogenously applied NO, delivered as sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 0.1–100 µmol/L) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of the ileal spontaneous contractions. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolol[4,3,a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 1 µmol/L), a guanilyl cyclase inhibitor, reduced the SNP-induced effects. Tetraethylammonium chloride (20 mmol/L), a non-selective K+ channel blocker, and charybdotoxin (0.1 µmol/L), blocker of large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, significantly reduced SNP-induced inhibitory effects. In contrast, apamin (0.1 µmol/L), blocker of small conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, was not able to affect the response to SNP. Ciclopiazonic acid (10 µmol/L) or thapsigargin (0.1 µmol/L), sarcoplasmatic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitors, decreased the SNP-inhibitory effects. Ryanodine (10 µmol/L), inhibitor of Ca2+ release from ryanodine-sensitive intracellular stores, significantly reduced the SNP inhibitory effects. The membrane permeable analogue of cGMP, 8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (100 µmol/L), also reduced spontaneous mechanical activity, and its effect was antagonized by ryanodine. The present study suggests that NO causes inhibitory effects on longitudinal smooth muscle of mouse ileum through cGMP which in turn would activate the large conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels, via localized ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ release.Key words: nitric oxide, mouse ileum, potassium channels, calcium stores.

Nitrergic-purinergic interactions in rat distal colon motility

Responses of rat distal colon circular muscle strips to exogenous nitric oxide (NO) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were assessed in the absence/presence of various agents that interfere with nitrergic-purinergic pathways. Exogenous NO (10-6 to 10-4 mol L-1) elicited concentration-dependent, tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive relaxations. The soluble guanylyl-cyclase (sGC) inhibitor 1H[1,2,4,]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) reduced duration and amplitude; the small conductance Ca2+-sensitive K+ (SK)-channel blocker apamin (APA) only shortened the relaxations. ODQ + APA showed a marked inhibitory effect on duration and amplitude. TTX, APA, the NO-synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and the purinergic receptor P2Y antagonist Reactive Blue 2 (RB2) shortened the relaxations by exogenous ATP (10-3 mol L-1) but did not influence the amplitude. ODQ had no effect. TTX + l-NAME did not yield a more pronounced inhibitory effect than TTX alone. The effect of ATP-gamma-S was similar to that of ATP. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) (40 V, 0.05 ms, 0.5-4 Hz for 30 s) yielded TTX-sensitive relaxations that were not altered by l-NAME, ODQ or RB2. APA shortened the relaxations. l-NAME + APA nearly abolished these relaxations. ODQ + APA and RB2 +l-NAME reduced the duration. These results suggest that distinct sets of small conductance SK-channels are involved in the amplitude and the duration of the relaxations and that NO increases their sensitivity to NO and ATP via guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP). ATP elicits relaxations via P2Y receptors with subsequent activation of SK-channels and induces neuronal release of NO. Both nitrergic and purinergic pathways must be blocked to inhibit EFS-induced relaxations.

Effects of nitric oxide on slow waves and spontaneous contraction of guinea pig gastric antral circular muscle

We examined the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors, S-nitroso-L-cysteine (Cys-NO) and 3-morpholinosydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), on slow waves and contractile activity in the circular muscle of guinea pig gastric antrum. In the presence of atropine and guanethidine, electrical field stimulation (EFS) reduced the amplitude of phasic contraction. The effect of EFS was significantly inhibited by both the NO synthase inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ). Cys-NO and SIN-1 mimicked the effect of EFS on phasic contraction and reduced the amplitude of slow waves in a concentration-dependent manner, with no effect on frequency and resting membrane potential. Phasic contraction was more sensitive to NO donors than slow waves. The inhibitory effects of NO donors were antagonized by ODQ and mimicked by a membrane permeable cGMP analogue 8-bromo-cGMP. Several K(+) channel blockers such as apamin, iberiotoxin, and glibenclamide had no effect on the inhibitory action of SIN-1. These results suggest that NO inhibits the phasic contraction and slow waves through cGMP-dependent mechanisms in guinea pig gastric antrum. The effect of NO is unlikely to be mediated by the activation of Ca(2+)-activated or ATP-sensitive K(+) channels.

Role of myosin phosphatase isoforms in cGMP-mediated smooth muscle relaxation

In vitro experiments showing the activation of the myosin phosphatase via heterophilic leucine zipper interactions between its targeting subunit (MYPT1) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase I suggested a pathway for smooth muscle relaxation (Surks, H. K., Mochizuki, N., Kasai, Y., Georgescu, S. P., Tang, K. M., Ito, M., Lincoln, T. M., and Mendelsohn, M. E. (1999) Science 286, 1583-1587). The relationship between MYPT1 isoform expression and smooth muscle responses to cGMP signaling in vivo has not been explored. MYPT1 isoforms that contain or lack a C-terminal leucine zipper are generated in birds and mammals by cassette-type alternative splicing of a 31-nucleotide exon. The avian and mammalian C-terminal isoforms are highly conserved and expressed in a tissue-specific fashion. In the mature chicken the tonic contracting aorta and phasic contracting gizzard exclusively express the leucine zipper positive and negative MYPT1 isoforms, respectively. Expression of the MYPT1 isoforms is also developmentally regulated in the gizzard, which switches from leucine zipper positive to negative isoforms around the time of hatching. This switch coincides with the development in the gizzard of a cGMP-resistant phenotype, i.e. inability to dephosphorylate myosin and relax in response to 8-bromo-cGMP after calcium activation. Furthermore, association of cGMP-dependent protein kinase I with MYPT1 is detected by immunoprecipitation only in the tissue that expresses the leucine zipper positive isoform of MYPT1. These results suggest that the regulated splicing of MYPT1 is an important determinant of smooth muscle phenotypic diversity and the variability in the response of smooth muscles to the calcium desensitizing effect of cGMP signaling.

Mechanism of a nitric oxide donor NOR 1-induced relaxation in longitudinal muscle of rat proximal colon

We previously suggested that nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of the rat proximal colon is not associated with change in cyclic GMP content. We further studied the intracellular mechanism of NO-induced relaxation by measuring changes in tension and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), simultaneously. NOR 1, NO donor, relaxed the longitudinal muscle of the rat proximal colon, which was precontracted by carbachol, with a concomitant decrease in [Ca2+]. ODQ, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, partially inhibited the relaxant effect of only higher concentrations of NOR 1, but Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, an inhibitor of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG), did not have any effects on the relaxant effect of NOR 1. When the preparations were transferred to normal solution after the treatment with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase, in the absence of Ca2+, contraction with a concomitant increase in [Ca2+]i occurred. NOR 1 did not show significant effects on the tension and [Ca2+]i in thapsigargin-treated preparations. In high K+-precontracted preparations, NOR 1 relaxed the preparations with a slight change in [Ca2+]i. The relaxant effect was significantly inhibited by ODQ and Rp-8-Br-cGMPS. These results suggest that NO induces the relaxation preferentially by acting thapsigargin-sensitive function of SR and in turn decreasing [Ca2+]i, although a cyclic GMP-PKG pathway is suggested under the experimental conditions of a high K+ concentration.

Mediators of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation in Sprague Dawley rat intestine: comparison with the mediators of other strains

Participation of nitric oxide, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation of longitudinal muscle of various intestinal regions in Sprague Dawley rats (8-week-old) was studied in vitro. Nitric oxide was suggested to participate in NANC relaxation of every intestinal region studied. But the participation was partial and its extent varied among the regions: significant in the proximal colon and rectum, and moderate in the jejunum, ileum and distal colon. Participation of PACAP in NANC relaxation was suggested only in the distal colon, while that of VIP was not detected in any of regions. Results obtained in the present study indicate that extent of participation of nitric oxide in NANC relaxation in Sprague Dawley rat intestine is more significant than those of other strains, Wistar and Wistar-ST.

Differences in mediator of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation of the distal colon between Wistar-ST and Sprague-Dawley strains of rats

Participation of nitric oxide and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in electrical field stimulation-induced nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation of longitudinal muscle and in balloon distension-induced descending NANC relaxation of circular muscle were studied in the distal colon of Wistar-ST and Sprague-Dawley rats. The extent of the nitric oxide-mediated component was approximately 50% in longitudinal and circular muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats, whereas this component was absent in both muscles of Wistar-ST rats. The extent of the VIP-mediated component was approximately 40% in longitudinal muscle of Wistar-ST rats and circular muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats, whereas this component was absent in circular muscle of Wistar-ST rats and longitudinal muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats. In circular muscle of Sprague-Dawley rats, in which participation of both nitric oxide and VIP in the relaxation was suggested, inhibition of descending relaxation by N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) together with VIP-(10-28) was similar to that by either of the antagonists, and exogenous VIP-induced relaxation was not affected by L-NOARG, but exogenous nitric oxide-induced relaxation was partly inhibited by VIP-(10-28). These results suggest a linkage of the pathways mediated by nitric oxide and VIP. In the immunohistochemical studies, nitric oxide synthase or VIP immunoreactive neurons were seen in the ganglia, primary internodal strands of the myenteric plexus and in the circular muscle layer. However, the overall appearance of immunoreactive cell bodies in the myenteric plexus and the numbers of immunoreactive fibers in the circular muscle layer appeared to be similar in Wistar-ST and Sprague-Dawley rats. These results suggest that mediators of NANC relaxation in the distal colon are different in different strains of rats, i.e., Wistar-ST and Sprague-Dawley, although no such difference was seen in immunohistochemical studies.

Molecular basis of NMDA receptor-coupled ion channel modulation by S-nitrosylation

Several ion channels are thought to be directly modulated by nitric oxide (NO), but the molecular basis of this regulation is unclear. Here we show that the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-associated ion channel was modulated not only by exogenous NO but also by endogenous NO. Site-directed mutagenesis identified a critical cysteine residue (Cys 399) on the NR2A subunit whose S-nitrosylation (NO+ transfer) under physiological conditions underlies this modulation. In cell systems expressing NMDARs with mutant NR2A subunits in which this single cysteine was replaced by an alanine, the effect of endogenous NO was lost. Thus endogenous S-nitrosylation can regulate ion channel activity.

Nitric oxide (NO) increases acetylcholine release from and inhibits smooth muscle contraction of guinea-pig gastric fundus

Experiments were carried out to investigate the interaction between nitric oxide (NO) and cholinergic neurotransmission in smooth muscle strips of guinea-pig gastric fundus. Electrical field stimulation (2 Hz, 1 ms, 360 shocks) evoked atropine-sensitive contractions. Dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP) (100 microM), a nicotinic receptor agonist, reversed the stimulation-evoked contraction and resulted in relaxation. Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (100 microM), an NO synthase inhibitor, significantly increased the amplitude of stimulation-evoked contraction and abolished the effect of DMPP. Electrical stimulation increased the release of [3H]acetylcholine ([3H]ACh) from the tissue strips above the basal levels. Neither L-NNA (100 microM) nor DMPP (100 microM) alone influenced the basal release of [3H]ACh. Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (100 microM) decreased the electrical stimulation-evoked release of [3H]ACh. Dimethylphenylpiperazinium increased the stimulation-evoked release of [3H]ACh but had no effect in the presence of L-NNA. It is suggested that in guinea-pig gastric fundus, endogenous NO released in response to field stimulation has an opposite effect at the pre- and postsynaptic sites: it increases the release of ACh from cholinergic nerve terminals but reduces smooth muscle responses to ACh.

Pharmacological comparison between the nitrergic responses produced by intramural nerve stimulation and exogenous NO-donors in rat gastric fundus

To investigate whether the nitrergic nerve-mediated smooth muscle relaxation is caused by authentic nitric oxide (NO) and is mediated via guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP), we compared the response to electrical field stimulation of nitrergic nerve (EFS) with other NO-related responses in rat gastric fundus strips. EFS, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), and acidified NaNO2 and inducible NO synthase (iNOS)-mediated NO all produced relaxation and elevated cyclic GMP level in rat fundus strips. However, the basal and stimulated cyclic GMP levels were significantly lower than the basal level in aorta (40+/-4 pmol/g wet tissue). Methylene blue and 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinedione (LY83583), both known as soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitors and O2- generators that scavenge NO, reduced the elevation of cyclic GMP level by all stimuli and inhibited the relaxations only in response to NaNO2 and iNOS-mediated NO but not to the other stimuli. These results suggest that in the rat gastric fundus strips the relaxations induced by not only nitrergic nerve but also SNP and SNAP are not associated with cyclic GMP production, in contrast to the relaxations mediated by authentic NO.

Tonic inhibitory action by nitric oxide on spontaneous mechanical activity in rat proximal colon: involvement of cyclic GMP and apamin-sensitive K+ channels

1. The cellular mechanisms by which endogenous nitric oxide (NO) modulates spontaneous motility were investigated in rat isolated proximal colon. The mechanical activity was detected as changes in intraluminal pressure. 2. Apamin (1-100 nM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the amplitude of the spontaneous pressure waves. The maximal contractile effect was of the same degree as that produced by Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 microM) and the joint application of apamin plus L-NAME had no additive effects. Apamin (0.1 microM) reduced the inhibitory effects (i.e. reduction in the amplitude of the pressure waves) induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (1 nM - 10 microM) or 8-Br-cyclic GMP (1-100 microM). 3. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (0.1-5 microM), inhibitor of NO-stimulated guanylate cyclase, produced a concentration-dependent increase of the spontaneous contractions. ODQ (1 microM) in the presence of apamin (0.1 microM) did not produce any further increase in the contraction amplitude, whereas after L-NAME (100 microM) it decreased the spontaneous contractions. ODQ (1 microM) reduced the SNP inhibitory effects. 4. Zaprinast (1-50 microM), inhibitor of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, produced a concentration-dependent decrease of the spontaneous contractions. The effects of zaprinast were significantly reduced in the presence of apamin (0.1 microM) or L-NAME (100 microM). 5. These results suggest that small conductance Ca2+-dependent K+ channels and cyclic GMP are involved in the modulation of the spontaneous contractile activity in rat proximal colon. Cyclic GMP production system and opening of apamin-sensitive K+ channels appear to work sequentially in transducing an endogenous NO signal.

Neural modulation of the cyclic electrical and mechanical activity in the rat colonic circular muscle: putative role of ATP and NO

1. The rat colonic circular muscle displays cyclic episodes of myenteric potential oscillations (MPOs), each of them associated with a spontaneous contraction. Nifedipine 1 microM abolished both MPOs and their associated contractions. TTX (1 microM) increased the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous contractions. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) induced a non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory junction potential (IJP), with two phases: an initial fast hyperpolarization (characterized by IJP amplitude) and a sustained hyperpolarization (characterized by IJP duration). 3. Sodium nitroprusside (10 microM) hyperpolarized and abolished spontaneous contractions even in presence of TTX or 1 microM apamin. ATP (100 microM) also hyperpolarized and abolished spontaneous contractions but its effects were decreased by TTX and abolished by apamin. 4. Suramin (100 microM) or apamin reduced the amplitude of the IJPs, but did not affect their duration. Incubation with L-NOARG (1 mM) reduced the duration but not the amplitude of the IJPs. In presence of L-NOARG plus suramin or L-NOARG plus apamin, both duration and amplitude of the IJPs were reduced but a residual IJP could still be recorded. 5. We conclude that the mechanical and electrical cyclic activity of the rat colonic circular muscle is modulated but not originated by the enteric nervous system and involves L-type calcium channel activity. EFS induces release of NANC inhibitory neurotransmitters which hyperpolarize and relax smooth muscle cells. Both ATP and NO are involved in IJP generation: ATP is responsible for the first phase of the IJPs involving activation of apamin-sensitive potassium channels, whereas NO initiates the second phase which is independent of the activation of such channels.

Involvement of cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism in the nitrergic relaxation of the bovine oesophageal groove

1. The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms involved in the relaxations to nitric oxide (NO) of bovine oesophageal groove preparations suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recordings. In preparations treated with guanethidine (10(-5) M) and atropine (10(-7) M) to block adrenergic neurotransmission and muscarinic receptors, respectively, NO released from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.5-16 Hz, 1 ms duration, 20 s trains) and exogenously applied as an acidified solution of sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 10(-6)-10(-3) M) caused frequency-and dose-dependent relaxations of noradrenaline (NA, 10(-5) M)-precontracted preparations. 2. Incubation with an inhibitor of NO-stimulated soluble guanylate cyclase, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 3 x 10(-6) M, for 30 min) did not change the basal tension of oesophageal groove strips but inhibited relaxations to EFS and to exogenous NO. 3. Treatment with iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) and apamin (5 x 10(-7) M), which are blockers of large and small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels, respectively, did not modify basal tension or the relaxations induced by EFS and exogenous NO. Incubation with iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) or apamin (5 x 10(-7) M) plus ODQ (3 x 10(-6) M) significantly reduced the relaxations to EFS and exogenous NO. However, in both cases the reductions were similar to the inhibition caused by ODQ alone. The combined addition of charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) M) and apamin (5 x 10(-7) M) did not change relaxations to EFS or exogenous NO of the bovine oesophageal groove. 4. The blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide (10(-6) M), had no effect on either resting tension or relaxations induced by both EFS and exogenous NO. Combined treatment with ODQ (3 x 10(-6) M) and glibenclamide (10(-6) M) did not produce additional inhibition compared to ODQ alone. 5. The present results indicate that NO acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter by relaxing bovine oesophageal groove smooth muscle through a guanylate cyclase-dependent mechanism which does not appear to involve the opening of K+ channels.

Nitric oxide relaxes human myometrium by a cGMP-independent mechanism

The role of intracellular guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate concentration ([cGMP]i) in nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxations in the uterus has become controversial. We found the NO donor S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CysNO) to potently (IC50 = 30 nM) inhibit spontaneous contractions in the nonpregnant human myometrium. CysNO treatment increased [cGMP]i significantly (P < 0.001), and this increase was blocked by the guanylyl cyclase inhibitors methylene blue (10 microM) or LY-83583 (1 microM); however, pretreatment with these guanylyl cyclase inhibitors failed to block CysNO-mediated relaxations. Intracellular cAMP concentrations were not altered by treatment of tissues with 10 microM CysNO. Incubation with the cGMP analogs 8-bromo-cGMP or beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-cGMP did not significantly affect spontaneous contractility. Pretreatment of tissues with charybdotoxin [a calcium-dependent potassium channel (BK) blocker] completely reversed CysNO-induced relaxations. We conclude that NO is a potent inhibitor of spontaneous contractile activity in the nonpregnant human uterus and that, although guanylyl cyclase and BK activities are increased by NO, increases in [cGMP]i are not required for NO-induced relaxations in this tissue.

Inhibition of skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase by nitric oxide

The effects of nitric oxide on the activities of thapsigargin-sensitive sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) and Ca2+ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes prepared from white skeletal muscle of rabbit femoral muscle were studied. Pretreatment of the SR preparations with nitric oxide at concentrations of up to 250 microM for 1 min decreased the SERCA activity concentration dependently, and also decreased their Ca2+ uptake. Both these effects of nitric oxide were reversible. Inhibitors of guanylyl cyclase and protein kinase G (PKG) had no significant effect on the nitric oxide-induced inhibitions of SERCA and Ca2+ uptake. Moreover, dithiothreitol did not reverse the inhibitory effects of nitric oxide on SERCA and Ca2+ uptake. These findings suggest that nitric oxide inhibits SERCA, mainly SERCA 1, of rabbit femoral skeletal muscle by an action independent of the cyclic GMP-PKG system or oxidation of thiols, and probably by a direct action on SERCA protein.

Decrease in participation of nitric oxide in nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation of rat intestine with age

Participation of nitric oxide in the electrical field stimulation-induced nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation in various intestinal regions was studied in 2- to 50-week-old Wistar rats. In the jejunum of 2-week-old rats, the extent of the nitric oxide-mediated component of the relaxation of longitudinal muscle was approximately 60-70%, whereas the component was 40-50% in 4-week-old rats and was absent in 8- and 50-week-old rats. Thus, nitric oxide seems to be the most important mediator at young ages but its significance is lost with age. The same tendency as that in the jejunum was also shown in longitudinal muscle of the ileum, proximal and distal colon, and rectum. The tendency was also shown in the circular muscle of the rectum. Sensitivity of the longitudinal muscle of the jejunum and proximal colon to exogenously added nitric oxide was high in younger rats. Immunoreactive structures for nitric oxide synthase were observed in the circular muscle layer of the rectum. The population of the structures was denser in 4-week-old than that in 50-week-old. The results suggest that NANC relaxation in every region of the intestine at 2-week-old is almost solely mediated by nitric oxide, and its significance as an inhibitory mediator gradually or rapidly decreases with age.

Cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-independent actions of nitric oxide on the renal afferent arteriole

1. The effects of exogenous NO and endothelial-derived NO (EDNO) on the afferent arteriole were investigated in the in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney. Vessels were pre-constricted with angiotensin II (0.1-0.3 nM) or KCl (30 mM). NO was infused directly into the renal artery at concentrations ranging from 30-9000 nM. ODQ (10, 30 microM) was administered to examine the effects of guanylyl cyclase inhibition. Kidneys were treated with ibuprofen (10 microM) to avoid actions of prostaglandins. 2. During angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction, NO elicited vasodilation at concentrations of 30 900 nM (EC50=200 nM) and ODQ caused a 10 fold shift in NO-sensitivity (EC50 1600 nM). During KCl-induced vasoconstriction, NO elicited a maximal dilation of 82+9% at 9000 nM (EC50 2000 nM) and ODQ had no effect. Thus in the presence of ODQ, the NO concentration-response curves for KCI- and angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction were identical (P>0.2). 3. To assess the possible role of cyclic GMP-independent mechanisms in the actions of EDNO, we compared the effects of L-NAME, ODQ and ODQ+L-NAME on acetylcholine-induced vasodilation. Angiotensin II reduced afferent arteriolar diameters from 16.7+/-0.5 to 8.1+/-0.8 microns and acetylcholine fully reversed this effect (16.9+/-0.5 microns). ODQ restored the angiotensin II response in the presence of acetylcholine (7.1+/-0.6 microns) and the subsequent addition of L-NAME had no further effect (6.8+/-0.7 microns). Similarly, L-NAME alone, fully reversed the actions of acetylcholine. 4. Our findings indicate that exogenous NO is capable of eliciting renal afferent arteriolar vasodilation through both cyclic GMP-dependent and cyclic GMP-independent mechanisms. The cyclic GMP-independent action of NO did not require K+ channel activation, as it could be elicited in the presence of 30 mM KCl. Finally, although cyclic GMP-independent effects of exogenous NO could be demonstrated in our model, EDNO appears to act exclusively through cyclic GMP.

Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic relaxation mediated by nitric oxide with concomitant change in Ca2+ level in rectal circular muscle of rats

The mediators of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) relaxation of the circular muscle of rat rectum were examined in vitro. In the circular muscle of rat rectum, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) at 10 microM did not affect electrical field stimulation-induced relaxation but at 100 microM it inhibited electrical field stimulation-induced relaxation by about 75% and 1-mM L-arginine reversed the inhibition. Exogenous nitric oxide (NO) (1-10 microM) concentration dependently relaxed the circular muscle. Electrical field stimulation increased the cyclic GMP content of the circular muscle to about twice its resting level. L-NOARG, even at 10 microM, completely inhibited the electrical field stimulation-induced elevation of cyclic GMP content. However, L-arginine at 1 mM did not reverse the inhibition in cyclic GMP content. Inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) induced by electrical field stimulation in the circular muscle cells were not affected by L-NOARG, 100 microM. Apamin ( < or = microM) did not affect the electrical field stimulation-induced relaxation, but almost completely inhibited electrical field stimulation-induced i.j.ps. NO (0.3-10 microM) induced relaxation of the circular muscle with a concomitant decrease in intracellular Ca2+ level ([Ca2+]i). Abundant immunoreactivity of NO synthase was found in the circular muscle layer, in addition to myenteric and submucosal plexus. The results suggest that NO induces NANC relaxation with a concomitant change in [Ca2+]i in the circular muscle of rat rectum. However, the involvement of changes in cyclic GMP level and in membrane potentials in the mechanism was not shown in the present experimental conditions.

Physiological features of visceral smooth muscle cells, with special reference to receptors and ion channels

Visceral smooth muscle cells (VSMC) play an essential role, through changes in their contraction-relaxation cycle, in the maintenance of homeostasis in biological systems. The features of these cells differ markedly by tissue and by species; moreover, there are often regional differences within a given tissue. The biophysical features used to investigate ion channels in VSMC have progressed from the original extracellular recording methods (large electrode, single or double sucrose gap methods), to the intracellular (microelectrode) recording method, and then to methods for recording from membrane fractions (patch-clamp, including cell-attached patch-clamp, methods). Remarkable advances are now being made thanks to the application of these more modern biophysical procedures and to the development of techniques in molecular biology. Even so, we still have much to learn about the physiological features of these channels and about their contribution to the activity of both cell and tissue. In this review, we take a detailed look at ion channels in VSMC and at receptor-operated ion channels in particular; we look at their interaction with the contraction-relaxation cycle in individual VSMC and especially at the way in which their activity is related to Ca2+ movements and Ca2+ homeostasis in the cell. In sections II and III, we discuss research findings mainly derived from the use of the microelectrode, although we also introduce work done using the patch-clamp procedure. These sections cover work on the electrical activity of VSMC membranes (sect. II) and on neuromuscular transmission (sect. III). In sections IV and V, we discuss work done, using the patch-clamp procedure, on individual ion channels (Na+, Ca2+, K+, and Cl-; sect. IV) and on various types of receptor-operated ion channels (with or without coupled GTP-binding proteins and voltage dependent and independent; sect. V). In sect. VI, we look at work done on the role of Ca2+ in VSMC using the patch-clamp procedure, biochemical procedures, measurements of Ca2+ transients, and Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile proteins of VSMC. We discuss the way in which Ca2+ mobilization occurs after membrane activation (Ca2+ influx and efflux through the surface membrane, Ca2+ release from and uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dynamic changes in Ca2+ within the cytosol). In this article, we make only limited reference to vascular smooth muscle research, since we reviewed the features of ion channels in vascular tissues only recently.

Modulation of electrically evoked responses in rat duodenum by activation of nicotinic cholinoceptors

1. The effect of activation of nicotinic cholinoceptors in rat duodenal segments following electrical field stimulation (EFS) was investigated. 2. Electrical field stimulation elicited a two-component response: transient relaxation followed by contraction. The EFS-evoked response was tetrodotoxin (TTX; 1 mumol/L) sensitive. The relaxation component was NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; 100 mumol/L) sensitive, while the contractile response was atropine (1 mumol/L) sensitive. 3. 1,1-Dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide (DMPP; 20 mumol/L) induced relaxation of spontaneously active preparations that was L-NNA sensitive. L-Arginine (1 mmol/L) reversed the effects of L-NNA on DMPP-induced relaxation. 4. When EFS was applied, DMPP increased the amplitude of the relaxation component of the response and reduced the contractile component. 5. In the presence of L-NNA, the effect of DMPP on the relaxation component of the response to EFS was reduced, but the contractile response was not affected. L-Arginine partly reduced this effect of L-NNA. 6. Neither propranolol (1 mumol/L) nor yohimbine (1 mumol/L) had any effect on the actions of DMPP on EFS-evoked responses, but prazosin (1 mumol/L) strongly reduced the effect of DMPP on the contractile component of the response to EFS and slightly reduced the effect of DMPP on the relaxation response. 7. Histochemical studies demonstrated that, in the myenteric plexus of the rat duodenum, there are many reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d)-positive neurons and that their number decreased after treatment with L-NNA. In the presence of L-arginine and L-NNA, the number of NADPH-d-positive neurons was similar to that found in control samples. 8. The data suggest that activation of nicotinic cholinoceptors modulates EFS-evoked responses in the rat duodenum as a result of the potentiation of nitrergic and adrenergic neurotransmission.

Mechanisms of relaxations of bovine isolated bronchioles by the nitric oxide donor, GEA 3175

1. The present study was designed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of relaxation induced by the nitric oxide (NO) donor, GEA 3175 (a 3-aryl-substituted oxatriazole derivative) on bovine bronchioles (effective lumen diameter 200-800 microm) suspended in microvascular myographs for isometric tension recording. 2. In segments of bovine bronchioles contracted to 5-hydroxytryptamine, GEA 3175 (10(-8)-10(-4) M) induced concentration-dependent reproducible relaxations. These relaxations were slow in onset compared to other NO-donors such as 3-morpholinosydonimine-hydrochloride (SIN-1) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). 3. In 5-hydroxytryptamine-contracted preparations the order of relaxant potency (pD2) was: salbutamol (7.80) > GEA 3175 (6.18) > SIN-1 (4.90) > SNAP (3.55). In segments contracted to acetylcholine, the relaxant responses were reduced and GEA 3175 relaxed the bronchioles with pD2 = 4.41 +/- 0.12 and relaxations of 66 +/- 10% (n = 4), while SNAP and salbutamol caused relaxations of 19 +/- 6% (n = 4) and 27 +/- 6% (n = 8) at the highest concentration used, respectively. 4. Oxyhaemoglobin (10(-5) M), the scavenger of nitric oxide, caused rightward shifts of the concentration-relaxation curves to GEA 3175 and NO. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 3 x 10(-6) M) and LY 83583 (10(-6) M), the inhibitors of soluble guanylate cyclase, also reduced the relaxations induced by GEA 3175 and nitric oxide. However, ODQ did not affect salbutamol-evoked relaxation in the bovine small bronchioles. 5. GEA 3175-induced relaxations were reduced in potassium-rich (60 mmol l(-1) K+) solution. Glibenclamide (10(-6) M) markedly inhibited the relaxations induced by the opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, levcromakalim (3 x 10(-8)-10(-5) M), but it did not modify the relaxations induced by GEA 3175 or salbutamol. Apamin (5 x 10(-7) M), a blocker of the small Ca2+-activated K+-channels did not affect the relaxations to GEA 3175. In contrast, blockers of large Ca2+-activated K+-channels, charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8)-10(-7) M) and iberiotoxin (10(-8) M), did inhibit the relaxations to GEA 3175. The combination of apamin and charybdotoxin did not induce an additional inhibitory effect on the relaxations to GEA 3175 compared to charybdotoxin alone. 6. In preparations where a concentration-response curve to GEA 3175 or NO was first obtained in the presence of LY 83583, incubation with charybdotoxin (10(-7) M) did produce an additional inhibitory effect of the relaxations. However. in the presence of ODQ (3 x 10(-6) M), iberiotoxin (10(-8) M) did not produce additional reduction of the NO- or GEA 3175-induced relaxations. 7. The present results suggest that the slow-releasing NO-donor GEA 3175 is more potent than the traditional NO donors in inducing relaxations of bovine bronchioles. GEA 3175, as for exogenously added NO, elicits relaxations through a cyclic GMP-dependent mechanism followed by opening of large conductance Ca2+-activated K+-channels.

Pranidipine, a new 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, enhances cyclic GMP-independent nitric oxide-induced relaxation of the rat aorta

Pranidipine, a new calcium channel blocker, prolonged endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in an aortic ring preparation, contracted with prostaglandin F2alpha. This action was not shared by amlodipine. The effect was not modified by indomethacin, suggesting that the action of pranidipine does not involve prostanoid metabolism. N(G)-nitro-L-arginine completely prevented the action of Pranidipine. The drug affected neither nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity nor the level of cyclic GMP in the vessel. Pranidipine did not affect the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to calcium. Pranidipine also did not alter cyclic GMP-induced relaxation in alpha-toxin-skinned vascular preparations. Pranidipine also prolonged glyceryl trinitrate-induced relaxation in the endothelium denuded rat aorta. Furthermore, pranidipine enhanced relaxation of the aorta induced by glyceryl trinitrate even in the presence of methylene blue, a guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. This action was not modified by iberiotoxin or by charybdotoxin, two inhibitors of the calcium-activated potassium channel. The results strongly suggest that pranidipine enhances cyclic GMP-independent NO-induced relaxation of smooth muscle by a mechanism other than through NO-induced hyperpolarization. These effects were in direct contrast to amlodipine, another new 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist.

Superoxide anions, free-radical scavengers, and nitrergic neurotransmission

1. There is now strong evidence that the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway generates the transmitter released from certain nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerves that mediate smooth-muscle relaxation in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital tracts. In particular, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been detected in these nitrergic nerves, and nerve-induced relaxation can be prevented by NOS inhibitors. Thus, free-radical NO has been considered the putative transmitter candidate. 2. Despite such evidence, a number of superoxide anion-generating compounds and direct NO scavengers have been found to abolish relaxations to exogenous NO, but to have very little effect on relaxations in response to nitrergic field stimulation. A number of hypotheses have been put forward to explain this paradox: first, that the NO generated within the nerve is attached to a carrier molecule (such as a thiol) to form an adduct, that is released into the junctional gap and that is resistant to superoxide anions and other scavengers; second, that over short distances (up to 200 microns) the rapid diffusion characteristics of NO render it resistant to inhibition by scavengers; third, that NO is indeed released as a free radical, but that it is protected from radical scavengers by other substances present in the junctional region. 3. Recent experimental evidence supports the third explanation, because nitrergic relaxations, normally resistant to inhibition by superoxide anions, become sensitive following inactivation of copper/ zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD); the inhibition can be reversed by adding exogenous Cu/Zn SOD (or ascorbate). In addition, the ability of two NO-scavenger compounds, hydroquinone and carboxy-PTIO, to inhibit relaxations to exogenous NO is prevented by certain physiological antioxidants (ascorbate and reduced glutathione in the case of hydroquinone, and ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol in the case of carboxy-PTIO). 4. Thus, it is possible that the presence of integrated antioxidant mechanisms within the tissue protects neuronally- released NO from attack by scavenging molecules; exogenous NO would be vulnerable before reaching the protection of the tissue, thus explaining the paradoxical effects mentioned. Organ antioxidant status may therefore be very important in preserving the potency of nitrergic transmission and in preventing NO from reacting with other compounds to produce cytotoxic metabolites (eg., with superoxide anions to form peroxynitrite).

Mechanism of nitric oxide-induced contraction in the rat isolated small intestine

1. The contractile response to nitric oxide (NO) in ral ileal myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle strips was pharmacologically analysed. 2. NO (10(-7) M) induced only contraction while 10(-6) M NO induced contraction followed by relaxation. Methylene blue (up to 10(-4) M) did not affect the NO-induced contractions but significantly reduced the relaxation evoked by 10(-6) M NO. Administration of 8-bromo-cyclic GMP (10(-6)-10(-4) M) only induced relaxation. 3. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP; 10(-7)-10(-5) M) induced concentration-dependent contractions per se; the contractile response to NO, administered within 10 min after SNP, was concentration-dependently reduced. The guanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) content of the tissues was not increased during contractions with 10(-8) M NO and 10(-6) M SNP; it was increased by a factor of 2 during contraction with 10(-7) M NO, and by a factor of 12 during relaxation with 3 x 10(-6) M NO. 4. The NO-induced contractions were not affected by ryanodine (3 x 10(-5) M) but were concentration-dependently reduced by nifedipine (10(-8)-10(-7) M) and apamin (3 x 10(-9)-3 x 10(-8) M). 5. These results suggest that cyclic GMP is not involved in the NO-induced contraction in the rat small intestine. The NO-induced contraction is related to extracellular Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels, that might be activated in response to the closure of Ca(2+)-dependent K+ channels.

Involvement of a glibenclamide-sensitive mechanism in the nitrergic neurotransmission of the pig intravesical ureter

1. The present study was designed to investigate whether potassium (K+) channels are involved in the relaxations to nitric oxide (NO) of pig intravesical ureteral preparations suspended in organ baths for isometric tension recordings. In ureteral strips treated with guanethidine (10(-5) M) and atropine (10(-7) M) to block adrenergic neurotransmission and muscarinic receptors, respectively, NO was either released from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation (EFS, 0.5-10 Hz., 1 ms duration, 20 s trains), or exogenously-applied as an acidified solution of sodium nitrite (NaNO2, 10(-6)-10(-3) M). 2. Incubation with an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase activation by NO, methylene blue (10(-5) M) did not change the basal tension of intravesical ureteral strips but inhibited the relaxation induced by EFS or exogenous NO on ureteral preparations contracted with the thromboxane analogue U46619 (10(-7) M). 3. Incubation with charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) M) and apamin (5 x 10(-7) M), which are inhibitors of large and small conductance calcium (Ca2+)-activated K+ channels, respectively, did not modify basal tension or the relaxations induced by EFS and exogenous NO. Treatment with charybdotoxin or apamin plus methylene blue (10(-5) M) significantly reduced the relaxations to EFS and exogenous NO. However, in both cases the reductions were similar to the inhibition evoked by methylene blue alone. The combined addition of charybdotoxin plus apamin did not change the relaxations to EFS or exogenously added NO of the porcine intravesical ureter. 4. Cromakalim (10(-8) 3 x 10(-6) M), an opener of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, evoked a dose-dependent relaxation with a pD2 of 7.3 +/- 0.2 and maximum relaxant effect of a 71.8 +/- 4.2% of the contraction induced by U46619 in the pig intravesical ureter. The blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide (10(-6) M), inhibited markedly the relaxations to cromakalim. 5. Glibenclamide (10(-6) M) had no effect on the basal tone of ureteral preparations but significantly reduced the relaxations induced by both EFS and exogenous NO. Combined treatment with methylene blue (10(-5) M) and glibenclamide (10(-6) M) did not exert an effect greater than that of methylene blue alone on either EFS- or NO-evoked relaxations of the pig ureter. 6. The present results suggest that NO acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the pig intravesical ureter and relaxes smooth muscle through a guanylate cyclase-dependent mechanism which seems to favour the opening of glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels.

Heterogeneity of glyceryl trinitrate response in isolated bovine coronary arteries

Factors determining heterogeneity of response to glyceryl trinitrate in coronary microvessels have been extensively documented in recent years, but determinants of heterogeneity between conduit and large resistance vessels are poorly understood. The current study has characterised heterogeneity to glyceryl trinitrate and other vasodilators in bovine isolated proximal (4.5 mm i.d.) and distal (0.5 mm i.d.) segments of left anterior descending artery. Compared with proximal segments, distal segments were less responsive to glyceryl trinitrate and sodium nitroprusside, equi-responsive to S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, and more responsive to isoprenaline. Heterogeneity to glyceryl trinitrate was unaffected by the presence of the thiols (cysteine or N-acetylcysteine, 100 microM). The results are interpreted as evidence that heterogeneity of vascular responsiveness to glyceryl trinitrate reflects impairment in the small artery of the cellular events which precede activation of the cyclic GMP pathway. An implication is that the impairment is not a consequence of limited thiol availability, and in this respect the cellular mechanism of heterogeneity differs from those proposed for the coronary microvasculature.

VIP- and PACAP-mediated nonadrenergic, noncholinergic inhibition in longitudinal muscle of rat distal colon: involvement of activation of charybdotoxin- and apamin-sensitive K+ channels

1. The mediators of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory responses in longitudinal muscle of rat distal colon were studied. 2. An antagonist of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) receptors, PACAP6-38, concentration-dependently inhibited the rapid relaxation of the longitudinal muscle induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS), resulting in a maximal inhibition of 47% at 3 microM. 3. PACAP6-38 inhibited the relaxation by 75% in the presence of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor antagonist, VIP10-28 at 3 microM, which inhibited the relaxation by 44%. 4. An antagonist of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, charybdotoxin, concentration-dependently inhibited the rapid relaxation of the longitudinal muscle, resulting in a maximal inhibition of 58% at 100 nM. 5. An antagonist of small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K+ channels, apamin, concentration-dependently inhibited the relaxation (58% at 1 microM). 6. Treatment with both K+ channel antagonists resulted in 84% inhibition of the EFS-induced relaxation, which is comparable to the extent of inhibition induced by PACAP6-38 plus VIP10-28. 7. The inhibitory effect of VIP10-28 and of apamin, but not of charybdotoxin was additive: the same applied to PACAP6-38 and charybdotoxin, but not apamin. 8. Exogenously added VIP (100 nM 1 microM) induced a slow gradual relaxation of the longitudinal muscle. Charybdotoxin, but not apamin significantly inhibited the VIP-induced relaxation VIP10-28, but not PACAP6-38 selectively inhibited the VIP-induced relaxation. 9. Exogenously added PACAP (10-100 nM) also induced slow relaxation. Apamin and to a lesser extent, charybdotoxin, inhibited the PACAP-induced relaxation. PACAP6-38, but not VIP10-28 selectively inhibited the PACAP-induced relaxation. 10. Apamin at 100 nM inhibited inhibitory junction potentials (i.j.ps) induced by a single pulse of EFS Apamin also inhibited a rapid phase, but not a delayed phase of i.j.ps induced by two pulses at 10 Hz. VIP10-28 did not inhibit i.j.ps induced by a single pulse, but significantly inhibited the delayed phase at two pulses. A combination of apamin and VIP10-28 abolished the i.j.ps induced by two pulses. 11. Both VIP and PACAP induced slow hyperpolarization of the cell membrane of the longitudinal muscle. Apamin inhibited the PACAP-, but not VIP-induced hyperpolarization. 12. From these findings it is suggested that VIP and PACAP are involved in NANC inhibitory responses of longitudinal muscle of the rat distal colon via activation of charybdotoxin- and apamin-sensitive K+ channels, respectively.