Tachykinin receptors in the guinea-pig isolated oesophagus: a complex system

1. The tachykinin receptors mediating contraction of isolated longitudinal strips of the guinea-pig oesophageal body were characterized with substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA) and neurokinin B (NKB) as well as the analogues, [Sar⁹,Met(O₂)¹¹]SP, [Nle¹⁰]NKA(4–10) and [MePhe⁷]NKB, selective for NK₁, NK₂ and NK₃, receptors, respectively. Experiments were performed both in the absence and presence of a cocktail of peptidase inhibitors, captopril (1 μM), thiorphan (1 μM) and amastatin (20 μM), in order to determine whether membrane bound proteases are important in the metabolism of tachykinins in this preparation.
2. All agonists produced concentration-dependent contractile effects. The presence of the peptidase inhibitors shifted the concentration-response curves of SP, [Nle¹⁰]NKA(4–10) and [MePhe⁷]NKB significantly leftwards and the concentration-response curve of NKB was shifted significantly rightwards. However, the EC₅₀ values were significantly different only for [Nle¹⁰]NKA(4–10) and NKB.
3. In the presence of the peptidase inhibitors, the EC₅₀ values of the selective agonists, [MePhe⁷]NKB (0.6 nM) and [Nle¹⁰]NKA(4–10) (66 nM) indicated the presence of both tachykinin NK₃ and NK₂ receptors. [MePhe⁷]NKB produced less than 50% of the maximal response obtained with the other agonists. Since [Sar⁹,Met(O₂)¹¹]SP produced a small response in the nanomolar concentration range in about 30% of the preparations tested, it is possible that some NK₁ receptors were also present.
4. Assuming competitive antagonism, the NK₂-selective antagonist SR 48,968 (30 nM) gave apparent pK_B values of 8.13 and 8.65 for [Nle¹⁰]NKA(4–10) in the absence and presence of peptidase inhibitors, respectively, supporting the presence of NK₂ receptors.
5. The NK₃-selective antagonist SR 142,801 (0.1 μM), suppressed responses to low (0.1–10 nM) concentrations of [MePhe⁷]NKB. These contractile responses to [MePhe⁷]NKB were also abolished by atropine (0.6 μM) suggesting that this response was mediated via cholinergic nerves.
6. It is concluded that the guinea-pig oesophagus is a complex system which has both NK₂ and NK₃ receptors and possibly some NK₁ receptors as well.

     

Tachykinin receptors in the circular muscle of the guinea-pig ileum.

1. We have studied the mechanical response of circular strips of the guinea-pig ileum to tachykinins and characterized the receptors involved by means of receptor-selective agonists. 2. The strips responded to both substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA), as well as to [Pro9]-SP sulphone (selective NK1-receptor agonist), [beta Ala8]-NKA(4-10) (selective NK2-receptor agonist) and [MePhe7]-neurokinin B (selective NK3-receptor agonist). The ED50s of the various peptides (calculated as the concentration of agonist which produced 50% of the response to 10 microM carbachol) were similar, in the range of 40-200 nM, i.e. no clearcut rank order of potency was evident. 3. The response to a submaximal (10 nM) concentration of SP or NKA was unaffected in the presence of peptidase inhibitors (thiorphan, captopril and bestatin, 1 microM each). 4. The response to the NK1-agonist was totally atropine-resistant, but was reduced (about 30% inhibition) by tetrodotoxin. The response to the NK3-receptor agonist was halved by atropine and abolished by tetrodotoxin. The response to the NK2-agonist was unaffected by either atropine or tetrodotoxin. 5. The response to the selective NK2-agonist was unchanged after desensitization of NK1- or NK3-receptors. 6. The response to the NK2-selective agonist was strongly inhibited by [Tyr5, D-Trp6,8,9, Arg10]-NKA(4-10) (MEN 10,207) a selective NK2-receptor antagonist which did not modify the response to the NK1-selective agonist. 7. Our findings indicate that all the three known types of tachykinin receptors mediate the contractile response of the circular muscle of the guinea-pig ileum to peptides of this family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tachykinin NK(2) receptors facilitate acetylcholine release from guinea-pig isolated trachea

The release of newly synthesised [3H]acetylcholine was evoked by electrical field stimulation (5 Hz, 600 pulses) of epithelium-deprived guinea-pig trachea strips after sensory neuropeptides depletion with 3 microM capsaicin. The selective tachykinin NK(2) receptor agonist [betaAla(8)]neurokinin A-(4-10) increased in a concentration-dependent manner the electrically-induced release of [3H]acetylcholine. The facilitatory effect was antagonised by the selective non-peptide tachykinin NK(2) receptor antagonist, SR 48968 (apparent pK(B) 8.9). The tachykinin NK(1) and NK(3) receptor agonists substance P methyl ester and senktide (both 10 and 100 nM), respectively, did not affect the evoked release of [3H]acetylcholine. It is concluded that the cholinergic nerves of guinea-pig trachea are endowed with prejunctional facilitatory tachykinin receptors of the NK(2) subtype.     

Tachykinin receptors in the guinea-pig renal pelvis: activation by exogenous and endogenous tachykinins.

1. The contractile response to substance P, neurokinin A, selective agonists for the NK1, NK2 and NK3 tachykinin receptors and the activity of receptor-selective antagonists has been investigated in circular muscle strips of the guinea-pig isolated renal pelvis in the presence of indomethacin (3 microM). 2. Neurokinin A was the most potent agonist tested, being about 32 times more potent than substance P. The action of both substance P and neurokinin A was enhanced by peptidase inhibitors (bestatin, captopril and thiorphan, 1 microM each). The selective NK2 receptor agonist [beta Ala8] neurokinin A (4-10), was slightly less potent and effective than neurokinin A itself. The selective NK1 receptor agonist [Sar9] substance P sulphone was effective at low (nM) concentrations but its maximal effect did not exceed 30% of maximal response to substance P or neurokinin A. The NK3-selective agonist [MePhe7] neurokinin B was effective only at high (microM) concentrations. 3. The pseudopeptide derivative of neurokinin A(4-10), MDL 28,564, displayed a clear-cut agonist character, although it was less potent than neurokinin A. 4. The responses to roughly equieffective (25-35% of maximal response) concentrations of [beta Ala8] neurokinin A (4-10), MDL 28,564 and [MePhe7] neurokinin B were antagonized to a similar extent by MEN 10,376 (3 microM), a selective NK2 tachykinin receptor antagonist, while the response to [Sar9] substance P sulphone was unchanged. 5. The response to [Sar9] substance P sulphone was inhibited by the NK1 receptor-selective antagonist, GR 82,334 (3 microM) while the response to [beta Ala8] neurokinin A (4-10) was unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tachykinin receptors of the NK2 type involved in the acetylcholine release by nicotine in guinea-pig bladder.

1. The effects of guanethidine and tachykinins on nicotine- and electrical stimulation-induced cholinoceptor responses were studied in isolated urinary bladder from the guinea-pig. 2. Acetylcholine release and the contractile response stimulated by nicotine were partially reduced by a sympathetic nerve blocker, guanethidine. Neurokinin A (but not substance P methyl ester or senktide) enhanced both acetylcholine release and contraction by nicotine in the presence of guanethidine. 3. Frequency-contraction curves (1 to 50 Hz) for electrical field stimulation (EFS) were partially reduced by atropine (1 microM), and after desensitization to alpha,beta-methylene adenosine 5'-triphosphate, the atropine-resistant contraction to EFS was completely abolished. Guanethidine, the tachykinin antagonist [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, Trp7,9, Leu11]-substance P and application of neurokinin A or substance P did not change the contractile response to EFS. Preganglionic nerve stimulation (5 Hz and 20 Hz) also evoked a similar response to EFS and was not influenced at all by guanethidine or neurokinin A. 4. We conclude that the ability of nicotine to release acetylcholine is enhanced both by endogenous tachykinins (probably released from sympathetic nerves) and by exogenously applied tachykinins as a result of interaction with NK2 receptors in the urinary bladder.     

Histamine receptors in guinea-pig isolated urinary bladder

Spasmogenic action of histamine, 2-(2-aminoethyl) pyridine (H1 receptor agonist) and 4 methyl-histamine (H2 receptor agonist), have been studied in guinea pig isolated urinary bladder in the presence of mepyramine (H1 antagonist) and metiamide (H2 antagonist) to identify the presence of H1 and H2 receptors. The study suggested the presence of H1 as well as H2 receptors in this preparation.     

Characterization of adenosine receptors in guinea-pig isolated left atria.

1. The effects of purinergic stimulation on action potential, force of contraction, 86Rb efflux and 45Ca uptake were investigated in guinea-pig left atria. 2. Adenosine exerted a negative inotropic effect which was antagonized by adenosine deaminase but enhanced by dipyridamole. 3. The negative inotropic effect of adenosine was mimicked by 5'-(N-ethyl)-carboxamido-adenosine (NECA) and the isomers of N6-(phenyl-isopropyl)-adenosine, R-PIA and S-PIA. NECA and R-PIA were about 100 times more potent than adenosine, whereas R-PIA was about 100 times more potent than S-PIA. 4. The inotropic effects of adenosine (in the presence of dipyridamole), NECA, R-PIA and S-PIA were competitively antagonized either by theophylline (pA2 about 4.5) or 8-phenyltheophylline (pA2 about 6.3). 5. NECA and R-PIA shortened the action potential duration and increased the rate constant of the efflux of 86Rb in a concentration-dependent manner with no differences in potency; the effects were competitively antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline. 6. Barium ions reduced the efflux of 86Rb under control conditions and antagonized the increase induced by NECA and R-PIA. 7. NECA and R-PIA significantly reduced 45Ca uptake in beating preparations. 8. It is concluded that adenosine, NECA and R-PIA activate a common receptor population (P1 or A3) on the outside of the cell membrane of atrial heart muscle to increase the potassium conductance and to reduce the action potential and, thereby, calcium influx and force of contraction.     

Tachykinin NK1 receptor in the guinea-pig isolated proximal urethra: characterization by receptor selective agonists and antagonists.

1. The tachykinin receptor mediating contraction of the guinea-pig isolated proximal urethra has been characterized by use of receptor selective agonists and antagonists. All experiments were performed in the presence of peptidase inhibitors (bestatin, captopril and thiorphan, 1 microM each) in order to reduce peptide degradation. 2. The natural tachykinins, substance P and neurokinin A produced a concentration-dependent contraction of rings of the proximal urethra which approached the same maximum (about 50% of the response to 80 mM KCl). Substance P (EC50 155 nM) was slightly (3.6 times) more potent than neurokinin A (EC50 560 nM). 3. The tachykinin NK1 receptor selective agonist, [Sar9]substance P sulphone (EC50 62 nM), was slightly more potent than substance P and produced the same maximal response of natural tachykinins. The NK2 receptor selective agonist, [beta Ala8] neurokinin A(4-10), was active only at microM concentrations and its maximal effect did not exceed 20% of that to substance P or neurokinin A. The NK3 receptor selective agonist, senktide, was ineffective up to 30 microM. 4. The response to [Sar9]substance P sulphone was antagonized in a competitive manner by either (+/-)-CP 96,345 (pA2 7.75, slope - 1.10) or GR 82,334 (pA2 7.31, slope - 1.26), which are selective NK1 receptor antagonists, while it was unaffected (up to 10 microM) by MEN 10,376, a selective NK2 receptor antagonist. 5. The response to 10 microM [beta Ala8]neurokinin A (4-10) was abolished by either 0.2 microM (+/-)-CP 96,345 or 1 microM GR 82,334, suggesting the involvement of NK1 receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characterization of tachykinin receptors in isolated basilar arteries of guinea-pig.

In circular lengths cut from the basilar artery of guinea-pig (0.2-0.3 mm o.d.) relaxations induced by substance P and neurokinin A were highly susceptible to mechanical damage of the endothelium by rubbing. The precontraction induced by prostaglandin F2 alpha but not that of 124 mM potassium was reduced considerably by the rubbing procedure. Concentration-dependent relaxations were evoked by tachykinin agonists in the following order of potency: substance P = physalaemin greater than neurokinin A greater than eledoisin. Physalaemin was, however, a partial agonist, giving only half the maximum relaxation as compared to the other tachykinins. The two putative tachykinin receptor antagonists, spantide ([D-Arg1, D-Trp7,9, D-Leu11] substance P) and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9] substance P, shifted the concentration-dependent relaxations of substance P to the right in a parallel manner. Calculation of pA2 values and Schild plot analysis revealed pA2 values of 7.4-7.6 for spantide and 6.9-7.0 for [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9] substance P, irrespective of whether substance P or neurokinin A was used as agonist. The pA2 values and the Schild plot analysis suggest a specific interaction between tachykinin agonists and antagonists that follow a simple bimolecular process. The results suggest the presence of tachykinin receptors of the 'SP-P' type in guinea-pig basilar arteries which, for induction of relaxation, involves the release of an endothelium-derived relaxing factor.     

Characterization of receptors on postganglionic cholinergic neurons in the guinea-pig isolated ileum.

Dopamine, apomorphine, noradrenaline and isoprenaline reduced the response of the isolated guinea-pig ileum to exogenous acetylcholine by a maximum of 40%. Propranolol reversed this inhibition whilst phentolamine and pimozide were ineffective, suggesting that the drugs were acting on a post-synaptic beta-adrenoceptor. The same agonists were more effective as inhibitors of the response to transmural electrical stimulation of the ileum, lower doses producing almost complete inhibition. This inhibition was partially antagonized by phentolamine, pimozide and propranolol. Clonidine proved to be the most potent inhibitor of the response to transmural electrical stimulation, whilst phenylephrine was ineffective. pA2 determinations showed that phentolamine was a potent antagonist of clonidine but a weak antagonist of apomorphine whilst for pimozide the opposite was true. The results suggest that there are two populations of prejunctional receptors on the cholinergic nerves innervating the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig ileum. One receptor is similar to a classical prejunctional alpha-adrenoceptor and the other resembles a central dopamine receptor.     

Conditional involvement of muscarinic M1 receptors in vagally mediated contraction of guinea-pig bronchi

The involvement of ganglionic muscarinic M₁ receptors in vagally induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pig airways is controversial. Therefore, we studied the effects of the M₁-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine on vagus nerve (VNS, preganglionic) and electrical field stimulation (EFS, postganglionic)-induced contractions of the guinea-pig main bronchus under various experimental conditions.Using identical stimulation parameters for VNS and EFS (8V, 30 Hz, 0.5 ms, 5s every min), the amplitude of the VNS-induced twitch contractions was 30.4% of the EFS-induced responses, and pirenzepine showed 2.3-fold selectivity (pIC₅₀-values 6.45 and 6.09, respectively) to inhibit vagally induced contractions. With the stimulation frequency for EFS lowered to match contraction levels obtained using VNS, pirenzepine was equipotent to inhibit both types of response at M₃ receptor-selective concentrations, suggesting that M₁ receptors are not involved. By contrast, when the stimulation episode was prolonged until plateau contraction (10–20 s), in the presence of the nicotinic antagonist hexamethomum (5 M), the M₂ receptor antagonist AQ-RA 741 (0.1 M) and the -adrenoceptor antagonist timolol (1 M), and again using matched VNS- and EFS-induced contraction levels, pirenzepine inhibited nerve stimulation-evoked responses in a biphasic manner, yielding (pIC₅₀-values of 8.12 indicative of M₁ receptor blockade) and 6.43 (indicative of M₃ receptor blockade) for the first and second phase, respectively, while postganglionic stimulation showed a purely monophasic inhibition (pIC₅₀ = 6.32).These results show that facilitatory muscarinic M₁ receptors are involved in vagally mediated contraction of guinea-pig bronchi, under conditions of elevated neurotransmission and partial nicotinic receptor blockade.     

Tachykinin NK1 but not NK2 receptors mediate non-cholinergic excitatory junction potentials in the circular muscle of guinea-pig colon.

1. The effect of tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptor antagonists on noncholinergic excitatory junction potentials (e.j.ps) evoked by electric field stimulation (EFS) in the circular muscle of the guinea-pig proximal colon was investigated by means of a sucrose-gap technique. 2. In the presence of 1 microM atropine, submaximal EFS (10 Hz, 20-30 V, 0.5 ms pulse width, 1 s train duration) evoked an inhibitory junction potential (i.j.p.) followed by e.j.p. with superimposed action potentials (APs) and contraction. Addition of either NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG, 0.1 mM) or apamin (0.1 microM) inhibited the evoked i.j.p. and the combined administration of the two agents almost abolished it. In the presence of both L-NOARG and apamin, an atropine-resistant e.j.p. was the only electrical response evoked by EFS in 50% of cases and a small i.j.p. (10% of original amplitude) followed by e.j.p. was evident in the remainder. 3. In the presence of L-NOARG and apamin, the tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonists, (+/-)-CP 96,345 and GR 82,334 (10 nM-3 microM) concentration-dependently inhibited the atropine-resistant e.j.p. and accompanying contraction evoked by EFS. EC50 values were: 0.77 microM (e.j.p. inhibition) and 0.22 microM (inhibition of contraction) for (+/-)-CP 96,345; 0.61 microM (e.j.p. inhibition) and 0.20 microM (inhibition of contraction) for GR 82,334. The tachykinin NK2 receptor antagonists, MEN 10,376 (up to 3 microM) and SR 48,968 (up to 1 microM) had no effect on the atropine-resistant e.j.p. MEN 10,376 (3 microM) but not SR 48,968 produced a slight inhibition of the evoked contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Involvement of B2 receptors in the bradykinin-induced relaxation of guinea-pig isolated trachea.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the receptor type and involvement of arachidonic acid metabolites in bradykinin-induced relaxation of the guinea-pig isolated trachea. 2. In the resting tracheal preparation, bradykinin (0.1 nM-30 microM induced a concentration-related contractile response (pD2 = 8.8 +/- 0.3). The maximal tension (1056 +/- 321 mg) was observed at 0.3 microM bradykinin. In contrast, when tracheal preparations were pre-contracted with histamine (30 microM leading to a half-maximum response), a concentration-related relaxation was observed with bradykinin. At the highest concentration of bradykinin used (3 microM), a reversal of 63 +/- 13% of the contractile response to histamine was observed. Both effects of bradykinin were inhibited by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (1 microM). In concentration-response curves, melittin (10 nM-1 microM), a direct activator of phospholipase A2, mimicked both effects of bradykinin. The highest concentration of melittin used (1 microM), induced a tension of 813 +/- 120 mg and led to the reversal of 41 +/- 8% of the contractile response to histamine. The contractile effect of melittin was inhibited in the presence of both indomethacin (1 microM) and AA861 (1 microM), a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor. 3. [Des Arg9]-bradykinin (1 nM-3 microM), a B1-receptor agonist, was unable to relax precontracted guinea-pig tracheal preparations. The relaxation induced by bradykinin was antagonized by the B2 receptor antagonists, Hoe 140 (D-Arg0[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin) and NPC 17761 (D-Arg0[Hyp3,D-HypE(trans-thiophenyl)7,Oic8]bradykinin ).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The relative potencies of some agonists at M2 muscarinic receptors in guinea-pig ileum, atria and bronchi.

The effects of some agonists on isolated preparations of guinea-pig ileum, atria and bronchial muscle have been compared with those of carbachol. The concentrations producing comparable responses were used to estimate the equipotent molar ratio relative to carbachol. Arecaidine propargyl ester was 4 to 5 times as active as carbachol on the ileum but more than 10 times as active as carbachol on atrial rate or atrial force, so the results confirm that this compound has a 2 to 3 fold selectivity for receptors in atria. Ethoxyethyltrimethylammonium iodide was one-quarter to one-third as active as carbachol on ileum but only one-tenth as active as carbachol on atrial rate or atrial force and so shows a 3 to 4 fold selectivity for receptors in ileum. The other compounds tested, which included acetylcholine, methacholine, n-pentyltrimethyl-ammonium iodide and bethanechol showed less selectivity. There were no obvious differences between effects on atrial rate and effects on atrial force, though with esters it was often difficult to obtain effects on atrial rate in the absence of an inhibitor of cholinesterase. Activity on bronchial muscle was generally similar to activity on ileum.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine receptors that facilitate excitatory neuromuscular transmission in the guinea-pig isolated detrusor muscle.

1. In isolated detrusor strips from the guinea-pig urinary bladder, contractile responses to electrical field stimulation were mostly mediated by neurally released acetylcholine (ACh) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP). 2. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) produced a concentration-dependent increase in the amplitude of stimulated detrusor strip contractions. The 5-HT concentration-response curve showed a biphasic profile: the high potency phase was obtained at sub-micromolar concentrations (10-300 nM), while the low potency phase in the range 1-30 microM. The maximum response of the first phase was 30% of the total 5-HT response. 3. Like 5-HT, the 5-HT3 receptor agonist, 2-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (2-methyl-5-HT: 0.3-100 microM), the 5-HT2 receptor agonist, (+/-)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI: 30 nM-3 microM) and the 5-HT4 receptor agonist, 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MeOT: 0.1-30 microM) potentiated, though with lower potency, detrusor contractions. The resulting concentration-response curves were monophasic in nature. 2-Methyl-5-HT had a maximum effect comparable to that of 5-HT. By contrast, the maximal effects of DOI and 5-MeOT were only 20% and 30% of that elicited by 30 microM 5-HT, respectively. 4. The 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, granisetron (0.3 microM) had no effect on the high potency phase, but caused a rightward parallel shift of the low potency phase of the 5-HT curve (pKB = 7.3).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Tachykinin receptors mediating responses to sensory nerve stimulation and exogenous tachykinins and analogues in the rabbit isolated iris sphincter.

1. We have used selective tachykinin receptor agonists and antagonists to investigate the nature of the receptors mediating responses to endogenous and exogenous tachykinins in the rabbit iris sphincter preparation in vitro. 2. The NK1-selective agonist, substance P methyl ester, induced contraction with a pD2 of 9.16 indicating the presence of NK1 receptors. In confirmation, the NK1-selective antagonist, GR82334, competitively antagonized responses to substance P methyl ester with high affinity (pKB 7.46). 3. NK3 receptors also mediate contraction since NK3-selective agonists exhibited high potency, e.g. the pD2 of [Me-Phe7]-neurokinin B was 9.67, and their responses were not inhibited by GR82334 (10 microM). 4. NK2 receptor activation does not seem to contribute to contraction since the NK2-selective agonist [beta-Ala8]-neurokinin A(4-10) had relatively low potency (pD2 6.43), and the NK2-selective antagonists MEN10207 (1 microM) and L-659,877 (10 microM) were inactive or had low affinity, respectively. 5. GR82334 (1 microM) significantly inhibited responses to electrical field-stimulation of non-adrenergic non-cholinergic sensory nerves (3, 10 and 30 Hz), and caused a rightward shift of the log concentration-response curve to bradykinin (lateral shift ca. 1000 fold). Higher concentrations of GR82334 (10 microM) significantly attenuated responses to capsaicin (1-60 microM) whilst completely abolishing responses to field-stimulation (3, 10 and 30 Hz) and bradykinin (1 nM- 3 microM). 6. In conclusion, NK1 and NK3 receptor activation results in contraction of the rabbit iris sphincter. The contractile response following sensory nerve stimulation by bradykinin, capsaicin and electrical field stimulation results from NK1 receptor activation.     

Tachykinin agonists modulate cholinergic neurotransmission at guinea-pig intracardiac Ganglia

Effects of substance P (SP) and selective tachykinin agonists on neurotransmission at guinea-pig intracardiac ganglia were studied in vitro. Voltage responses of neurons to superfused tachykinins and nerve stimulation were measured using intracellular microelectrodes. Predominant effects of SP (1 microM) were to cause slow depolarization and enable synaptic transmission at low intensities of nerve stimulation. Augmented response to nerve stimulation occurred with 29 of 40 intracardiac neurons (approx. 73%). SP inhibited synaptic transmission at 23% of intracardiac neurons but also caused slow depolarization. Activation of NK(3) receptors with 100 nM [MePhe(7)]neurokinin B caused slow depolarization, enhanced the response of many intracardiac neurons to low intensity nerve stimulation or local application of acetylcholine, and triggered action potentials independent of other stimuli in 6 of 42 neurons. The NK(1) agonist [Sar(9),Met(O(2))(11)]SP had similar actions but was less effective and did not trigger action potentials independently. Neither selective agonist inhibited cholinergic neurotransmission. We conclude that SP can function as a positive or negative neuromodulator at intracardiac ganglion cells, which could be either efferent neurons or interneurons. Potentiation occurs primarily through NK(3) receptors and may enable neuronal responses with less preganglionic nerve activity. Inhibition of neurotransmission by SP is most likely explained by the known blocking action of this peptide at ganglionic nicotine receptors.     

Characterization of receptors on postganglionic cholinergic neurons in the guinea-pig isolated ileum

Dopamine, apomorphine, noradrenaline and isoprenaline reduced the response of the isolated guinea-pig ileum to exogenous acetylcholine by a maximum of 40%. Propranolol reversed this inhibition whilst phentolamine and pimozide were ineffective, suggesting that the drugs were acting on a post-synaptic β-adrenoceptor. The same agonists were more effective as inhibitors of the response to transmural electrical stimulation of the ileum, lower doses producing almost complete inhibition. This inhibition was partially antagonized by phentolamine, pimozide and propranolol. Clonidine proved to be the most potent inhibitor of the response to transmural electrical stimulation, whilst phenylephrine was ineffective. pA₂ determinations showed that phentolamine was a potent antagonist of clonidine but a weak antagonist of apomorphine whilst for pimozide the opposite was true. The results suggest that there are two populations of prejunctional receptors on the cholinergic nerves innervating the smooth muscle of the guinea-pig ileum. One receptor is similar to a classical prejunctional α-adrenoceptor and the other resembles a central dopamine receptor.