Effect of anoxia on response of the isolated intestine to various drugs and enzyme inhibitors

An analysis of the direct and indirect actions of drugs on the isolated guinea-pig ileum

The responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum to coaxial stimulation of its nerves, to histamine, acetylcholine, bradykinin, nicotine, tetramethylammonium, 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenyl-piperazinium iodide and 5-hydroxytryptamine were studied, before and during anoxia, cooling, or exposure to hyoscine, phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride, morphine or hexamethonium. Dose ratios were used to determine the amount of block induced by these procedures. With the response to coaxial nerve stimulation as an indication of the excitability of the nervous tissue, it was found that anoxia or cooling abolished the response to single shocks. Under these conditions the response of the ileum to histamine, acetylcholine and bradykinin was hardly affected, indicating a direct action of these substances on the muscle fibres. The effects of nicotine, tetramethylammonium, dimethylphenylpiperazinium and 5-hydroxytryptamine were reduced to various degrees, and we have concluded that their main actions are indirect, through stimulation of cholinergic nerve fibres. When these indirect actions were prevented, increasing the dose revealed a direct action, a larger increase in dose being required for 5-hydroxytryptamine and dimethylphenylpiperazinium than for tetramethylammonium and nicotine. Exposure of the ileum to hyoscine and phenoxybenzamine showed that these direct actions of nicotine and tetramethylammonium were not only on acetylcholine receptors but also on receptors insensitive to hyoscine but sensitive to phenoxybenzamine. The main action of 5-hydroxytryptamine was on nervous elements, yet treatment of the ileum with phenoxybenzamine gave a higher dose ratio for 5-hydroxytryptamine than did treatment with morphine. The meaning of this result is discussed in relation to the general belief that receptors sensitive to morphine are in nervous tissue and receptors sensitive to phenoxybenzamine are in smooth muscle. We have concluded that morphine is only a partial antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors in nervous tissue and that phenoxybenzamine antagonizes more 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors than those in smooth muscle.

Depressant effects of hypoxia and hypoglycaemia on neuro-effector transmission of guinea-pig intestine studied in vitro with a pharmacological model

1. Since intermittent ischaemia may play an important role in the aetiology of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, particularly Crohn's Disease, a pharmacological model of neuronal ischaemia was applied to guinea-pig isolated intestinal preparations to mimic the acute effects of reduced blood flow on intestinal motility. 2. Neuro-effector transmission and smooth muscle performance were examined in myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparations of guinea-pig ileum exposed to sodium cyanide (NaCN), in order to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation, or to iodoacetic acid (IAA), to block glycolysis. Comparisons were made with the effects due to simple deprivation of oxygen or glucose. 3. Depression of cholinergic neuro-effector transmission induced by hypoxia or NaCN (effective concentration range 0.1-3 mM), given as separate treatments, singly or repetitively over 60-90 min, were apparent within 30 s and were reversible. The maximum inhibition was 90% and the IC50 for NaCN was 0.3 mM. A conspicuous component of these inhibitions was prejunctional. 4. Non-cholinergic neuro-effector contractions were inhibited by up to 90% by anoxia or NaCN but recovery was incomplete and slower than with cholinergic contractions. 5. Glucose-free solutions also caused a reversible failure of cholinergic neuro-effector transmission but of slower onset. In contrast, IAA (0.06-1 mM) abolished contractions irreversibly, apparently by a direct depressant effect on smooth muscle contraction. Unlike NaCN, IAA caused an initial potentiation of electrically-induced contractions, partly by a prejunctional potentiation of cholinergic neuro-effector transmission. 6. It is concluded that a disruption of intestinal activity in pathological conditions associated with intestinal ischaemia may result from disturbances in the function of enteric neurones.

Target sites for the inhibition of prostacyclin effect in guinea-pig ileum

In the guinea-pig terminal ileum a maximally effective concentration of prostacyclin (PGI2) (1 mumol/l) induced contractions that were partially resistant to tetrodotoxin (TTX) 0.1 mumol/l, to low temperature (20 degrees C) and to atropine (30 nmol/l). Half maximum contractions evoked by PGI2 (20 nmol/l) were abolished by TTX and by low temperature, which did not modify the response to exogenous acetylcholine (ACh), as well as by atropine. Procaine (5-500 mumol/l) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of contractions induced by PGI2 (20 nmol/l and 1 mumol/l) and by equieffective concentrations of ACh (20 nmol/l and 0.4 mumol/l, respectively). The order of magnitude for this inhibition was ACh 20 nmol/l = PGI2 20 nmol/l greater than PGI2(1) mumol/l greater than ACh 0.4 mumol/l. In preparations exposed to TTX or to low temperature procaine (50 mumol/l) did not affect the residual response to PGI2 (1 mumol/l). Quercetin (1 and 5 mumol/l) inhibited the effect of PGI2 and, at higher concentrations, it also caused partial depression of the responses to ACh. Quercetin did not alter TTX-resistant and low temperature-resistant contractions induced by PGI2 1 mumol/l. Carbonyl cyanide-trifluoro-methoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP) (0.1-1 mumol/l) reduced the effect of PGI2 and of ACh to approximately the same extent and inhibited the residual response to PGI2 1 mumol/l in preparations treated with TTX or expressed to low temperature. The present results show that PGI2, besides acting on cholinergic neurons, also exerts a direct effect on smooth muscle cells and FCCP can be used to block this effect. In contrast procaine and quercetin selectively inhibit the ACh-mediated component of PGI2 action.

Effects of pH alterations and hypoxia on isolated human intestine

Effects of hypoxia and pH alterations on the spontaneous contractions and responses to cholinergic stimuli or KCl were investigated in isolated human intestines. The longitudinal strip of human intestine showed spontaneous contractions. The spontaneous contraction was abolished by hypoxia with nitrogen gas substitution (95% N2 and 5% CO2) but not by substitution with acidic (pH 6.53) or alkaline (pH 7.75) solution. Contractile responses to acetylcholine (ACh) were not altered by treatment with hypoxia or pH alterations. KCl (10 mM)-induced contraction was inhibited by hypoxia but not by pH alterations. Transmural electrical stimulation elicited a transient contraction that was blocked by tetrodotoxin or atropine. Contractions induced by electrical stimulation at a low frequency (5 Hz) was not altered by hypoxia or pH alterations. The metabolic pathway related to energy generation and utilization for the spontaneous contraction and KCl-induced contraction seems to be more dependent on oxygen supply than that for ACh-induced contraction. The contractile mechanism in human intestine seems to be resistant to pH alterations.

Tension maintenance, calcium content and energy production of the taenia of the guinea-pig caecum under hypoxia

When potassium (45.4 mM) was applied to isolated taenia of guinea-pig caecum, the muscle developed a rapid phasic and sustained tonic tension during aerobic conditions bubbled with 95% O2:5% CO2. Under hypoxic conditions bubbled with 95% N2:5% CO2, the taenia lost its ability to respond to high potassium with sustained tonic contraction, although it still showed rapid phasic contraction. Raising the glucose concentration from 5.5 to 55.5 mM in the presence of high potassium during hypoxia caused development of a sustained contraction which was 50% that of the muscle in aerobic conditions. In the presence of high potassium, the ATP content of the taenia decreased in hypoxia, but increased with increasing glucose concentration. When the taenia was exposed to hypoxic conditions, the amount of lactate released from the muscle increased. Raising the glucose concentration caused a further increase in lactate release in the presence of high potassium under hypoxia. Good correlations (gamma greater than 0.9) were observed between tension development, the ATP content and lactate release of the taenia in the presence of high potassium under hypoxia when the glucose concentration was varied between 5.5 and 55.5 mM. The total calcium content was increased by the presence of high potassium under aerobic conditions and the increase was abolished when the muscle was exposed to hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxia the total calcium content was not increased by raising the glucose concentration in the presence of high potassium. The cellular calcium content of the taenia, determined by the lanthanum method, was increased in the presence of high potassium under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, but the content was smaller in hypoxic conditions than in aerobic conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, raising the glucose concentration in the presence of high potassium did not affect the cellular calcium content. These results suggest that under hypoxic conditions the potassium-induced sustained contraction of the taenia is increased by raising the glucose concentration owing to increased ATP production through the glycolytic pathway, but not through mechanisms increasing the intracellular Ca concentration.

Relaxing and metabolic inhibitory action of X537A (Lasalocid) on the taenia of the guinea-pig caecum

1. In the isolated guinea-pig taenia, application of X537A to the muscle caused a relaxation, while A23187 caused a sustained contraction. 2. Treatment with adrenergic blocking agents and tetrodotoxin had no effect on the relaxing response to X537A. 3. In the presence of a low concentration (10(-6) M) of X537A or under hypoxic conditions (bubbled with 95% N2: 5% CO2), the taenia lost the ability to respond to a high concentration (40 mM) of potassium with a sustained tonic contraction, although the rapid phasic contraction was still present. 4. When a low concentration of X537A was applied the shape of the contractile response to A23187 was changed from a sustained development of tension to an oscillatory tension which was also observed under hypoxia. 5. In tissues treated with glycerol for 3 weeks, neither X537A nor A23187 had any effect on the contractile response induced by elevation of calcium concentration (pCa = 4) in the presence of magnesium and ATP. 6. Exposure to a low concentration (10(-6) M) of X537A, or hypoxia, slightly yet significantly decreased the ATP content of the muscle. A high concentration (10(-5) M) of X537A markedly decreased the ATP content to about half normal. A23187 did not alter the ATP content. 7. Application of X537A did not alter the calcium content of the muscle and inhibited the A23187-induced increase in content. Under hypoxia, A23187 failed to increase the calcium content of the muscle. 8. The results indicate that, in contrast to A23187, X537A has a relaxing and metabolic inhibitory action on the guinea-pig taenia. The action of low concentrations of X537A resembled that of the hypoxia, indicating that X537A might exert its relaxing action, at least in part, by inhibition of aerobic energy metabolism of the muscle.

Potent inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation by marine natural products

Many lipid-soluble extracts from various marine organisms have a nonspecific depressant effect on smooth muscle contractions. Novel compounds isolated from such lipid-soluble extracts were tested for their effects on the respiration of rat liver mitochondria and produced potent stimulation or inhibition of oxygen uptake by the mitochondria.

Mechanical and metabolic effects of beta-receptor stimulators, the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin, and prostaglandin E2 on the isolated, depolarized sphincter of Oddi

Similar to their actions on normally polarized, isolated sphincter of Oddi, the beta-receptor stimulators isoprenaline and tebutaline, and prostaglandin E2 produced relaxation of the depolarized preparation. The relaxation was accompained by an increase in the intracellular content of cyclic AMP. In contrast to its relaxing effect on normally polarized sphincter preparations, the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (C8-CCK) contracted or had no effect on the depolarized sphincter. There was no change or a small decrease in the content of cyclic AMP in the muscle. It is suggested that the relaxing effects of beta-receptor stimulators and prostaglandin E2 on isolated sphinceter of Oddi, and the simultaneous increase in cyclic AMP-content are mediated processes independent of the electrical acitivty of the membrane. However, C8-CCK mediated relaxation and increase in cyclic AMP is dependent on the membrane potential.

A further investigation into the energy dependence of angiotensin II-induced contractions of isolated smooth muscle preparations

1 The energy dependence of angiotensin and acetylcholine-induced contractions of rat descending colon and uterus was investigated. 2 Differences were observed in the effect of anaerobic substrate depletion upon responses of colon and oestrous and dioestrous uterus. These were attributed to differences in the energy metabolism of the tissues and were correlated with differences in tissue levels of glycogen. 3 The preferential reduction of angiotensin responses of dioestrous uterus and descending colon when exposed to 2,4-dinitrophenol, was evidence for an energy dependent stage in the angiotensin response distinct from the contraction process itself. 4 The absence of a preferential reduction of the angiotensin response of oestrous uterus when exposed to 2,4-dinitrophenol appeared to be related to the ability of this tissue to generate ATP by anaerobic glycolysis. 5 It was concluded that the energy for the angiotensin response may be derived either anaerobically or aerobically, depending upon the tissue.

A study of the metabolic requirements for the contractile action of angiotensin upon guinea-pig ileum

1 Acetylcholine and angiotensin elicit a contraction of guinea-pig ileum. The metabolic requirements for these actions have been investigated.2 The angiotensin-induced response was far more dependent upon the presence of glucose than was the response to acetylcholine.3 Anoxia and oxidative enzyme inhibition preferentially reduced the angiotensin-induced response.4 The significance of these results is discussed. It is concluded that the response to angiotensin is dependent upon an ATP source distinct from that required by the contractile process. It is further shown that this energy-dependent stage cannot be identified with the indirect, cholinergic component of the angiotensin response in this tissue.

Excitation-contraction coupling in voltage clamped uterine smooth muscle

1. The relationship between ionic currents and contraction has been investigated in uterine strips of pregnant rat by means of a double sucrose gap apparatus combined with an optical method which permits the measurement of the contraction of the small muscular bundle where potential and current are recorded.2. Effects of duration, size and frequency of imposed potentials upon contraction have been studied. The uterine muscle shows summation and tetanus phenomena. Tension elicited by depolarizing pulses of different durations and amplitudes can be considered as made of two components.3. The first component of the contraction evoked by short depolarizing steps (about 50 ms) depends on the slow inward current. This contraction is abolished by manganese and lanthanum ions and by compound D 600. The amplitude of the tension can be related to the external calcium concentration and consequently to the calcium influx. The slow inward current is supposed to release a part of the bound calcium without excluding, however, a direct activation of myofibrils.4. The second component of the contraction is observed in manganese containing solution with depolarizations longer than 200 ms and without inward current. Such a component of tension suggests the possibility of release of calcium from intracellular stores which could be located in the sarcoplasmic membrane of the uterine smooth muscle.

Prostaglandins, oxygen tension and smooth muscle tone

1. By using indomethacin to inhibit their intramural synthesis, we have investigated the contribution of prostaglandins to the maintenance of (a) the intrinsic tone of isolated smooth muscle preparations and (b) contractions produced by drugs or high oxygen concentration.2. When treated with indomethacin, the rat stomach strip and chick rectum preparation slowly relaxed, whether they were bathed in Krebs solution or blood. Although their sensitivity to added prostaglandin was somewhat enhanced, they became insensitive to changes in oxygen or glucose concentration. However, another smooth muscle preparation, the rat colon, was neither relaxed by indomethacin nor contracted by high oxygen concentration.3. These results support the hypothesis that intramural generation of prostaglandin maintains the tone of some smooth muscle preparations.4. Contractions of the guinea-pig isolated colon were induced by histamine. These contractions were normally well maintained but in Krebs solution lacking either oxygen or glucose, only the initial spike contraction remained. In the presence of indomethacin the histamine contraction was also poorly sustained, but maintenance was restored by a low concentration of prostaglandin E(2).5. Thus, the effects on smooth muscle of oxygen or glucose lack may also be mediated by reduction in the synthesis or effects of an intramural prostaglandin. Extension of this hypothesis to intestinal and vascular smooth muscle in vivo is discussed.

Actions of calcium and certain multivalent cations on potassium contracture of guinea-pig's taenia coli

1. Using a calcium buffer system, the effect of severe calcium lack on the shape of K-contracture of the guinea-pig's taenia coli was studied. Under conditions of calcium lack, the initial phasic response was preferentially affected and it disappeared completely at concentrations below 10(-7)M, while the ensuing tonic response persisted, though considerably diminished in size, even at the concentration of 10(-8)M.2. In calcium-free media, various multivalent cations, which according to Frank (1962) can support the K-contracture of a skeletal twitch muscle fibre in calcium-free solution, augmented the remaining tonic response, but did not restore the phasic response, when it was eliminated in calcium free environment.3. When K-contractures were induced in normal calcium media, these cations produced, in contrast, an abolition of the phasic response together with a partial depression of the tonic phase. They also inhibited a part of the fully developed contracture. The last effect was no longer obtainable in calcium-free media.4. It is concluded that the phasic response and a part of the tonic response of taenia coli depend upon the extracellular calcium for their initiation (and also for maintenance of tension in the case of the latter) and that the rest of the tonic response draws on a store of ;bound' calcium for its evolution.

Effects of oxygen tension on vascular and other smooth muscle

1. The resting tension of various isolated intestinal and vascular smooth muscle preparations varied directly with the P(O) (2) of the stream of blood used to bathe them.2. This effect was also obtained when artificial salt solution was used and was therefore not due to circulating hormones.3. The effect could not be antagonized by specific pharmacological antagonists such as hyoscine, phenoxybenzamine, hexamethonium, bromolysergic acid, diethylamide or mepyramine.4. The reactions of the isolated organs to catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were increased by the higher P(O) (2).5. These results support the view that oxygen tension may play a major role in autoregulation of blood flow.

The "nicotinic" and "muscarinic" receptors of the urinary bladder of the guinea-pig

The action of acetylcholine and nicotine on the urinary bladder of the guinea-pig has been examined using three techniques of physiological denervation. Nicotine was neurogenic and equiactive concentrations of acetylcholine were myogenic. Whilst acetylcholine has both “muscarinic” and “nicotinic” effects on the guinea-pig bladder, the concentration required to stimulate the nicotinic receptors was approximately 100 times that required for the muscarinic receptors. These results indicate that the nicotinic receptors are confined to nervous tissue, and do not support the suggestion that there might be non-neuronal nicotinic receptors in the bladder musculature of the guinea-pig. The possibility of a non-cholinergic component in the post-ganglionic parasympathetic fibres to the bladder should still be considered.

Metabolic and other effects of reserpine upon smooth and skeletal muscle

Reserpine increased the concentration of potassium ions in the fluid bathing the isolated frog sartorius muscle. The effect of reserpine upon respiration and upon glycolysis in rabbit intestinal muscle has been investigated using the Warburg "Direct" method. After a latent period, reserpine (50 mug./ml.) depressed respiration but did not affect glycolysis in gut muscle. These results, together with previous observations, may point to an effect of reserpine upon carbohydrate metabolism.

The constriction of the ductus arteriosus caused by oxygen and by asphyxia in newborn lambs

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