A postsynaptic inhibitory histamine H2-receptor in the mouse isolated vas deferens.

The effect of histamine on adrenergic neurotransmission in the mouse isolated vas deferens preparation was investigated. Concentrations of histamine ranging from 0.2 to 650 microM depressed, in a dose-related manner, not only the contractile response elicited by field stimulation but also the response caused by the addition of exogenous noradrenaline and acetylcholine. However, the release of [3H]-NA evoked by field stimulation or by high K+ remained unchanged in the presence of these concentrations of histamine. The inhibitory effect of histamine on the contractile responses caused by various stimuli was reduced or completely antagonized by cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist but not by mepyramine, a conventional antihistamine. The inhibitory effect of histamine was found to be inversely proportional to both the Ca2+ concentration in the bathing medium and to the frequency of field stimulation. Further, the inhibitory effect of histamine was markedly reduced when Mg2+ was omitted from the bathing medium. It is concluded that the mouse vas deferens preparation contains a post-junctional inhibitory H2-receptor. The stimulation of H2-receptors by histamine inhibits the contractile response of the vas deferens, possibly by decreasing the availability of Ca2+ required for contraction by depressing the influx of Ca2+.     

Effect of SCH 15280, a new bronchodilator, on cyclic 3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity and cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate levels in guinea pig lung.

Sch 15280, 5[4-(N-methyl)-piperidylidene]5H-(1)benzopyrano(2,3,b)pyridine maleate is a bronchodilator and antihistamine in animal models. The bronchodilation produced by Sch 15280 and aminophylline are not antagonized by β-receptor blockade. Sch 15280 and aminophylline inhibited the high affinity cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase of guinea pig whole lung and bronchi. Sch 15280 was approximately one-half as potent as aminophylline. Aminophylline increased the concentration of cyclic AMP and potentiated the cyclic nucleotide elevation due to isoproterenol in lung tissue in vitro. Neither effect was elicited by Sch 15280. Burimamide (anti-H₂) and chlorpheniramine (anti-H₁) antagonized the cyclic AMP elevation caused by histamine. Sch 15280 (anti-H₁) failed to alter the response to histamine. The bronchodilatory activity of Sch 15280 may be independent of its inhibitory effects on cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity.     

Endothelin modulation of neuroeffector transmission in rat and guinea pig vas deferens

The effects of endothelin-1 (human, porcine) on contractions induced by transmural nerve stimulation, exogenous ATP or noradrenaline, and on the release of [3H]noradrenaline were studied in guinea pig and rat vas deferens. Endothelin enhanced nerve-induced contractile responses, increased basal muscle tone and increased the contractile response to exogenous ATP in both guinea pig and rat vas deferens. Endothelin did not affect the contractile responses to exogenous noradrenaline. The calcium channel blocker felodipine antagonized the stimulating effects of endothelin in the rat vas deferens, whereas blockade of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways by a combination of BW 755C and indomethacin was without effect. In rat vas deferens preparations preincubated with [3H]noradrenaline, endothelin inhibited the 3H overflow induced by transmural stimulation, although the contractile responses were enhanced by endothelin. Pretreatment with forskolin or felodipine did not abolish the endothelin inhibition of radiotracer overflow. In conclusion, endothelin can modulate adrenergic and purinergic neuroeffector transmission in both guinea pig and rat vas deferens via inhibitory prejunctional and stimulant postjunctional mechanisms. The stimulant postjunctional effect seemed to predominate in our experiments.     

The mechanism of action of AMP-induced inhibition of sympathetic neurotransmission in the isolated vas deferens of the rat and guinea-pig.

1. The proposal that adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) can be used as a selective antagonist of ATP at P2-purinoceptors on smooth muscle was investigated by examining the electrical and mechanical responses of guinea-pig and rat vasa deferentia to stimulation of sympathetic nerves and to exposure to exogenous agonists. 2. The magnitude of the contractile response of the rat vas deferens to field stimulation of the sympathetic nerves was reduced by addition of AMP. This effect was rapid in onset and readily reversed by washout. 3. The action of AMP on these contractile responses was reversed by the subsequent addition of the specific P1-purinoceptor antagonist 8-phenyltheophylline (8-PT). 8-PT on its own had no significant effect on contractile responses to nerve stimulation. 4. The magnitude of excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) in the guinea-pig vas deferens evoked by a train of stimuli at 0.5 Hz was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by introduction of AMP (10(-6)-10(-3)M). The inhibitory effect of 10(-5) M AMP on e.j.p. magnitude was completely and rapidly reversed by introduction of 10(-5)M 8-PT. The effect of 10(-4)M AMP was partially reversed by 10(-5) 8-PT. 5. The contractile responses of the guinea-pig vas deferens to exogenously applied adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) were not reduced by AMP, even at a concentration of 2.5 X 10(-4)M. Similarly in the rat vas deferens, contractile responses to exogenously applied alpha, beta-methylene ATP (a more potent P2-purinoceptor agonist) were reduced by only 27.2%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Potentiation of isoprenaline-induced plasma cyclic AMP response by aminophylline in normal and asthmatic subjects.

1 The effect of intravenous aminophylline infusion (6 mg-1 kg in 20 min, then 0.9 mg-1 kg-1 h thereafter) and its interaction with inhaled isoprenaline (800 microgram ex inhaler) on plasma cyclic AMP levels was studied in five normal and five asthmatic subjects. 2 Aminophylline infusion alone did not significantly change plasma cyclic AMP levels in either group. 3 In both groups, the plasma cyclic AMP response to isoprenaline aerosol inhalation was enhanced by aminophylline, although to a lesser degree in the asthmatic subjects. 4 The results provide in vivo evidence consistent with the hypothesis that in man, therapeutic doses of aminophylline may exert their clinical effects by inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.     

The role of H1- and H2-receptors in the modulatory effects of histaminergic agents on adrenergic neurotransmission in rat vas deferens

The role of the H1- and H2-receptors in the modulatory effects of histamine and other histaminergic drugs on smooth muscle adrenergic neurotransmission was studied on isolated preparations from rat vas deferens. The typical biphasic action (potentiation by low concentrations and inhibition by high concentrations) of histamine and some H1- or H2-agonists on vas deferens contractions induced by low frequency electrical stimulation (ES) was markedly changed by H1- or H2-antagonists. After blockade of H1-receptors, the potentiating effect of histamine and the histaminergic agonists was diminished or even reversed. The inhibition of the smooth muscle contractions by the drugs tested was stronger after H1-antagonists. Blockade of H2-receptors usually enhanced the potentiating effect of the histaminergic agonists on ES-evoked vas deferens contractions. The inhibitory action of histamine and the histaminergic agents tested was decreased or even reversed after H2-receptor blockade. These results confirm the presence of H1-excitatory and H2-inhibitory receptors whose activation or inhibition can modulate adrenergic neurotransmission in vas deferens.     

Selective inhibition of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases of cardiac nuclear fraction

Approximately 60% of the total particulate phosphodiesterase activity occurring in cardiac tissue was associated with the nuclear fraction. Cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity of the purified cardiac nuclear fraction was selectively inhibited by trifluoperazine (I50 = 19 microM) with negligible inhibition (less than 15%) of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. Inhibition of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase by trifluoperazine was calcium-dependent and suppressed by ethylene glycol bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The inhibitory response of both phosphodiesterases to papaverine was similar in the presence of calcium. However, in the presence of EGTA, papaverine inhibition of cyclic GMP but not cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was reduced significantly. Calmodulin (1-5 micrograms/ml) readily reversed the inhibition by 25 microM trifluoperazine of membraneous cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase, but had no effect on inhibition by papaverine. With imidazolidinone analogues (Ro 7-2956 and Ro 20-1724), EGTA enhanced the inhibition of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase without significantly altering the inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Inhibition of cyclic AMP of cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity by 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine, quinidine, or compound SQ 20,009 was not affected appreciably by calcium or EGTA. The selective inhibitory action of certain pharmacological agents on phosphodiesterases of cardiac nuclear fraction and the modulation of the inhibitory response by calcium suggest an intrinsic and predominant association of calmodulin with cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase activity of these membranes.     

THE EFFECTS OF IMIDAZOLE ON CONTRACTILITY AND CYCLIC AMP LEVELS OF GUINEA-PIG TRACHEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE

1. Imidazole contracted guinea-pig isolated tracheal smooth muscle, and at low concentrations (50 mumol/l to 2 mmol/l) also enhanced contractions induced by histamine. 2. Imidazole had no effect on contractile responses to potassium chloride, acetylcholine, prostaglandin F2 alpha, or the ionophore A23187; nor did it affect anaphylactic contractions in tracheal strips from guniea-pigs sensitized to ovalbumin. 3. Imidazole had no effect on the content on cyclic AMP in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle, nor did it affect the accumulation of cyclic AMP induced by histamine, isoprenaline, theophylline plus isoprenaline, or prostaglandin E1. 4. Imidazole-induced contractions were partially antagonized by atropine, mepyramine maleate and the omission of extracellular calcium ions. 5. Imidazole-induced hyperreactivity to histamine was not affected by atropine or indomethacin, and was more pronounced in the absence of extracellular calcium ions. 6. It is concluded that imidazole does not affect cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase activity in guinea-pig trachea, and its effects on contractile responses of the smooth muscle are unrelated to any action of cyclic AMP metabolism. The potentiating effect of imidazole may involve inhibition of histaminase, or the facilitation of calcium ion release from intracellular storage sites.     

Effect of ethanol on cyclic AMP levels in intact PC12 cells

Two subclones of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC12, were used to compare the effects of ethanol on adenylate cyclase activity in isolated membranes with its effects on cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells. Consistent with previous reports, ethanol increased basal and 2-chloroadenosine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in isolated membrane preparations from both subclones. However, ethanol had opposite effects on agonist-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation in intact cells of the two subclones, enhancing accumulation in one subclone, and inhibiting it in the other. The inhibition of cyclic AMP accumulation did not result from stimulation of phosphodiesterase activity, activation of the inhibitory guanyl nucleotide regulatory protein, Gi, or stimulation of protein kinase C. The results indicate that extrapolation of the effects of ethanol from one cell type to another, or from in vitro to in vivo systems, may be complicated by the interaction of ethanol with regulatory processes that influence second messenger systems, and can differ in various types of intact cells.     

Treatment of intact hepatocytes with the calcium ionophore A23187 perturbs both the synthesis and the degradation of the second messenger cyclic AMP. Actions on adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities

The presence of the calcium ionophore A23187 augmented glucagon's ability to elevate intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations in intact hepatocytes. However, when the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-isobutyl-3-methylxanthine (IBMX) was added to prevent the degradation of cyclic AMP then the presence of A23187 attenuated the ability of glucagon to increase intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations. Treatment of intact hepatocytes with A23187 led to a dose-dependent persistent inhibition of the glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity expressed by a membrane fraction isolated from such ionophore-treated hepatocytes. In hepatocytes where glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was desensitized then A23187-treatment of hepatocytes failed to exert any inhibitory action on adenylate cyclase. Treatment of isolated membranes directly with A23187 did not elicit any changes in glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Such actions of A23187 were blunted when Ca2+ (2.5 mM) was not added to the extracellular medium. It is suggested that treatment of hepatocytes with A23187 leads to the functional uncoupling of glucagon-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a manner which appears to mimic the desensitization process. A23187-treatment also exerted an overall inhibitory effect on the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity displayed by intact hepatocytes. Thus treatment of hepatocytes with A23187 exerted a profound effect on cyclic AMP metabolism in these cells.     

Spurious effects of commercial preparations of oxytocin on the isolated vas deferens of the rat.

1 The inhibitory effect of a commercial preparation of oxytocin (Syntocinon) was studied on the isolated vas deferens of the rat. 2 The inhibition of contractions to agonists and to field stimulation obtained were mimicked by appropriate dilutions of chlorbutol, a preservative present in Syntocinon. 3 Preservative-free synthetic oxytocin had no inhibitory effect on the tissue and slightly potentiated contractions evoked by field stimulation. 4 It is concluded that inhibitory effects of Syntocinon on the vas deferens are due to chlorbutol, not oxytocin.     

The effects of drugs inhibiting catecholamine uptake on tyramine and noradrenaline-induced contractions of the isolated rat vas deferens

1. Cocaine did not antagonize the tyramine-induced contractile response of the isolated rat vas deferens at the same concentrations which markedly potentiated the contractile response to noradrenaline.2. Imipramine and amitriptyline non-competitively antagonized the contractile response to tyramine but did not potentiate noradrenaline. Desmethylimipramine produced both potentiation of noradrenaline and antagonism of tyramine.3. Dexchlorpheniramine non-competitively antagonized the contractile response to tyramine. It also produced an atypical potentiation of noradrenaline in which lower concentrations of noradrenaline were potentiated to a greater extent than higher ones.4. Imipramine inhibited the in vitro uptake of noradrenaline-(3)H in rat vas deferens as did cocaine, desmethylimipramine and dexchlorpheniramine. These results suggest that the alpha-adrenergic blocking property of imipramine masks the potentiation of noradrenaline by uptake inhibition.5. Evidence is also presented which suggests that alpha-adrenergic blockade of released noradrenaline may be the major mechanism for tyramine inhibition by imipramine-like drugs. This may explain why cocaine, which has no real alpha blocking action, is ineffective against tyramine.     

Effects of ethanol on the cyclic AMP system of the dog gastric mucosa.

The effect of ethanol on the cyclic AMP system of the dog fundic mucosa was studied in vitro. The gastric mucosal content of cyclic AMP was increased by 2.5% ethanol, whereas 10 and 20% ethanol decreased the mucosal content of cyclic AMP. The activity of adenylate cyclase was increased by 2.5 and 5% ethanol, whereas 10% ethanol did not significantly affect it. The activity of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase was inhibited by ethanol in a competitive manner. The increase in the gastric mucosal content of cyclic AMP, induced by low concentrations of ethanol, is apparently due to the stimulation of adenylate cyclase and inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Changes in the phosphodiesterase or adenylate cyclase activites do not explain the decrease of the mucosal content of cyclic AMP by higher concentrations of ethanol. The mechanism of the decrease is discussed.     

Two phases of contractile response in rat isolated vas deferens and their regulation by adenosine and alpha-receptors

Contractions to transmural electrical stimulation and exogenous norepinephrine were recorded in isolated longitudinal segments of rat vas deferens. Electrical stimulation for 30 s produced a biphasic contraction in the vas deferens consisting of a rapid, transient response (Phase I), followed by a slowly developing, sustained contraction (Phase II). N6-Cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), a selective adenosine1 (A1)-receptor agonist, attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner the Phase I contractile response, while having little effect on the Phase II response. In contrast, 2-(phenylamino)adenosine (CV-1808), a selective adenosine2 (A2)-receptor agonist had little effect on either contractile phase. CHA did not inhibit the contraction to exogenous norepinephrine, suggesting that A1-receptors were located at a presynaptic site. The relatively selective alpha 2-receptor agonist clonidine produced the same pattern of contractile inhibition as CHA. The inhibitory effect of CHA on the Phase I contractile response in the vas deferens could be antagonized by the selective A1-receptor antagonist 8-cyclopentyltheophylline, while the selective alpha 2-receptor antagonist idazoxan preferentially antagonized the inhibitory effect of clonidine on the Phase I response. Both the Phase I and Phase II contractile responses were reduced by the selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin and the ATP analog alpha, beta-methylene adenosine triphosphate (alpha, beta-methylene ATP), suggesting that norepinephrine and ATP are coreleased as neurotransmitters for both responses. The results of the present study demonstrate that in the rat vas deferens the presynaptic inhibitory effects of adenosine is mediated by the A1-receptor subtype, and that both A1- and alpha 2-receptor agonists exert a selective inhibitory effect on the Phase I contractile response to electrical stimulation.     

Effects of several newer cardiotonic drugs on cardiac cyclic AMP metabolism

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible roles of selective inhibition of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozymes, adenylate cyclase activation, and tissue cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP) elevation in the positive inotropic action of five new cardiotonic drugs. Three PDE isozymes (PDE I, II and III), homogenates, and slices of guinea pig ventricles were used. The inotropics amrinone, milrinone, AR-L 115BS, MDL 17,043, and RMI 82,249 all inhibited cyclic AMP hydrolysis by PDE III in a concentration-dependent manner, as did the PDE inhibitors aminophylline and 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (MIX). All drugs except for AR-L 115BS inhibited PDE III at concentrations lower than those producing a standard inotropic response. A significant correlation (r = 0.80, P less than 0.05) was observed between PDE III inhibition and inotropic activity for six of the drugs. Only aminophylline and MIX, but none of the cardiotonic drugs, inhibited cyclic AMP hydrolysis by PDE I and II and cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP) hydrolysis (amrinone not tested) by PDE I. Further, none of the cardiotonic drugs inhibited the calmodulin-stimulated cyclic AMP hydrolysis by PDE I, indicating their lack of calmodulin antagonist activity. These drugs also did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity but all increased net cyclic AMP formation from ATP in guinea pig ventricular homogenates through inhibition of cyclic AMP breakdown. Amrinone, milrinone, MDL 17,043 and RMI 82,249, but not AR-L 115BS, raised cyclic AMP levels significantly (P less than 0.05) in guinea pig ventricular slices. Also, amrinone, MDL 17,043 and RMI 82,249, but not AR-L 115BS, potentiated forskolin-induced cyclic AMP increase. These data taken together suggest that the specific inhibition of cyclic AMP PDE III isozyme and the consequent elevation of tissue cyclic AMP levels in cardiac tissue are an important mechanism of action of amrinone, milrinone, MDL 17,043 and RMI 82,249. Because AR-L 115BS did not increase cyclic AMP levels, it is likely that another mechanism may participate in the inotropic response to AR-L 115BS.     

Blockade by WB 4101 of alpha-adrenoceptors in the rat vas deferens and guinea-pig taenia caeci.

The effectiveness of WB 4101, a recently described alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist, in blocking an excitatory and two inhibitory responses to alpha-receptor activation was studied. One of the inhibitory responses was the reduction by the selective alpha-agonist amidephrine of carbachol contractures of isolated guinea-pig taenia caeci. WB 4101 antagonised this inhibition with a Schild plot slope of 0.99 and a pA2 of 8.9. The same pA2 value was obtained for blockade of the contractile effect of amidephrine and noradrenaline on the rat vas deferens. WB 4101 was, however, several hundred times less active in antagonising the inhibitory effect of clonidine on the twitch response of the vas deferens to field stimulation. Incidental observations were that the twitch was increased by low concentrations of amidephrine, and by relatively high concentrations of WB 4101. Because of its potency and postsynaptic selectivity, WB 4101 should be useful for adrenoceptor classification.     

Opioid inhibition of adenylate cyclase in the striatum and vas deferens of the rat.

The activity of adenylate cyclase in striatal membrane-enriched fractions (25,000 g) was inhibited by morphine, beta-endorphin, [D-Ala2-D-Leu5] enkephalin (DADLenk), fentanyl and bremazocine. Whereas guanosine triphosphate (GTP) appeared essential for the expression of this effect, sodium chloride seemed to enhance the degree of inhibition. Dopamine stimulation and sodium fluoride activation of the enzyme was also suppressed by morphine, beta-endorphin and DADLenk. beta-Endorphin and DADLenk inhibited adenylate cyclase activity in vasa deferentia membrane-enriched fractions (25,000 g); both opioids required GTP and NaCl and were inhibited by a delta-opioid receptor antagonist and by naloxone. Morphine, bremazocine and tifluadom did not significantly alter the activity of the vas deferens enzyme. Basal cyclic AMP values of striatal slices were not significantly altered by morphine, beta-endorphin or DADLenk. However, dopamine-induced elevation of cyclic AMP was reduced by morphine and this effect of the opiate was suppressed by naloxone. Only beta-endorphin lowered the basal cyclic AMP values in the vas deferens. The physiological relevance of adenylate cyclase coupling to opioid receptor subtypes is considered.     

CHANGES IN PREJUNCTIONAL POTENCY OF B-HT 933 DURING AGING IN THE RAT VAS DEFERENS

1. Age-related changes in prejunctional alpha 2-adrenoceptors were examined in the rat vas deferens using pharmacological techniques. 2. B-HT 933 (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol/L) caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of isometric contractions (tetrodotoxin-sensitive) induced by stimulation with single field-stimulus pulses, in both the epididymal and prostatic regions of rat vas deferens. The concentration-response curve to B-HT 933 was shifted to the right with age in the prostatic regions of the vas deferens. 3. In high concentrations (10(-6) - 3 x 10(-4) mol/L), B-HT 933 caused concentration-dependent enhancement of the contractile response to stimulation and evoked spontaneous contractile activity. No significant difference in this postjunctional activity occurred with age in either the prostatic or epididymal regions of the vas deferens. 4. Schild analysis revealed no significant differences in pA2 values for the antagonisms of the prejunctional inhibitory effect of B-HT 933 by rauwolscine in either the prostatic or epididymal regions of vas deferens between young and old rats. 5. These results could be interpreted as a decrease in alpha 2-adrenoceptor number with age. The more marked decrease in the prejunctional inhibitor potency of B-HT 933 in prostatic regions of vas deferens with aging may be due to a smaller receptor reserve in this region of the vas deferens.     

Contraction and cyclic AMP-related relaxation of the intimal and medial smooth muscle layers of pig thoracic aorta

The contractile responses of an alpha-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, and of histamine were compared in the intimal and medial smooth muscle layers of the pig aortic arch. Further, the relaxant effects evoked by some compounds influencing the cyclic AMP system were compared in the two muscle layers, as well as their effects on the cyclic AMP content and phosphodiesterase activity. Phenylephrine and histamine induced contraction of the smooth muscle layers. The increase in tension was faster in the intimal than in the medial layer. The alpha-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine was a more potent contractile agent in the intimal than in the medial smooth muscle. With histamine, no significant difference in the dose-response curves between the two muscle layers was found. Histamine-contracted muscle preparations were relaxed in a dose-dependent manner by the phosphodiesterase-inhibiting compound 3-isobutyl-1-methylaxanthine (MIX) and by 8-bromo-cyclic AMP. The two substances were more potent relaxants in the medial than in the intimal smooth muscle layer. The content of cyclic AMP in the intimal and the medial smooth muscle was increased by MIX. Isoprenaline had no relaxing effect on the muscle preparations and did not change the content of cyclic AMP. There were no differences in the basal levels of cyclic AMP in the intima and media. Vmax of phosphodiesterase activities differed, however, between the two preparations. This study demonstrates that the intimal layer is characterized by a larger contractile responsiveness to phenylephrine and a lower relaxant response to compounds influencing the cyclic AMP-system than those of the medial layer.     

Antagonism of the ATP component of sympathetic co-transmission in the rat vas deferens by AMP

Field stimulation of isolated rat vas deferens preparations caused a twitch contraction followed by a slower phasic contraction. Exogenously applied ATP and noradrenaline caused rapid contractions and slowly developing contractions respectively. Pretreatment with phentolamine antagonised the phasic response to stimulation and the contraction to noradrenaline. Pretreatment with AMP antagonized the twitch response to stimulation and concentrations to ATP. The results support the view that ATP is released as a co-transmitter with noradrenaline in sympathetic nerves.