Potent excitatory effect of scaritoxin on the guinea-pig vas deferens, taenia caeci and ileum

Scaritoxin (STX), a potent toxic substance isolated from poisonous fish induced a dose-dependent contraction of the isolated guinea-pig vas deferens at concentrations of 10(-8) to 10(-6) g/ml. This contraction was abolished or inhibited by tetrodotoxin, low Na+ medium, phentolamine or reserpine, but not by atropine, chlorpheniramine or methysergide. STX shifted to the left the dose-contractile response curve for norepinephrine, KCI or acetylcholine in the vas deferens. STX caused a release of norepinephrine from the vas deferens, in a dose-dependent manner, which was blocked by tetrodotoxin, Mg++ or Ca++-free medium. In the guinea-pig taenia caeci or ileum, STX elicited a dose-dependent contraction. The contractions of both tissues were blocked completely by tetrodotoxin and were inhibited markedly by atropine but not by mecamylamine or chlorpheniramine. These results suggest that the STX-induced contraction is the result of an indirect action mediated through the norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerve terminals of the vas deferens and acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve endings of the taenia caeci or the ileum. It is also suggested that STX causes an increase in Na+ permeability of the cell membrane of these tissues, which may play an important role in the release of chemical transmitters induced by STX.     

Inhibitory effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on excitation and contraction of smooth muscles of the rat vas deferens

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibits the twitch response of the rat vas deferens induced by nerve stimulation. Inasmuch as CGRP-like immunoreactive nerves were demonstrated to be present in the rat vas deferens, the effect of CGRP on the contractile activity of the tissue was pharmacologically and electrophysiologically analyzed in vitro. The twitch response of the vas deferens induced by transmural nerve stimulation was inhibited by rat CGRP, porcine CGRP and human CGRP (hCGRP). Both ED50 values and the extent of the maximum inhibition of the twitch response were the same for these CGRP groups. hCGRP (10(-8) to 10(-7) M) hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential of smooth muscle cells but did not affect the amplitude of excitatory junction potentials induced by nerve stimulation. Neither the frequency of occurrence nor the amplitude of spontaneous junction potentials were affected by hCGRP. The threshold potentials for the generation of action potentials were less negative in the presence of hCGRP. hCGRP reduced slightly the contraction of the tissue induced by norepinephrine and by adenosine 5'-triphosphate. hCGRP reduced markedly the contractions induced by direct electrical stimulation of both denervated and normal tissues in the presence of tetrodotoxin. These results indicate that CGRP does not affect the release of a sympathetic neurotransmitter. CGRP appears to attenuate the contraction of the rat vas deferens through suppression of both the excitability and excitation-contraction coupling of the smooth muscle.     

Atrial natriuretic factor inhibits adrenergic and purinergic neurotransmission in the rabbit isolated vas deferens

This study tests the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) acts to inhibit neurotransmission in the rabbit vas deferens. The vas deferens is a unique model of autonomic neurotransmission in that it is composed of primarily nonvascular smooth muscle and has both a purinergic or twitch contraction and an adrenergic or phasic contraction associated with its response to electrical stimulation. In this study ANF was found to inhibit both adrenergic and purinergic neurotransmission in the rabbit vas deferens. ANF inhibited both the electrically induced phasic contraction and electrically induced norepinephrine release in a concentration-dependent manner over the ANF concentration range of 10(-10) to 10(-7) M. ANF at a concentration of 10(-7) M had no effect on norepinephrine-induced or ATP-induced contractions. Therefore, the neuromodulatory effect of ANF in the rabbit vas deferens appears to be prejunctional, on the release of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and ATP from the nerve terminal and not postjunctional on the smooth muscle. Neither the alpha-2 antagonist rauwolscine nor the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin had any effect on the inhibitory effect of ANF on electrically induced twitch or phasic contractions. Additionally, ANF did not affect vasa deferentia prostaglandin E production. Therefore, the inhibitory neuromodulatory ANF effect is not mediated via alpha-2 adrenergic receptors or prostaglandin E production. The observed inhibitory neuromodulatory effects in this study may be involved in the hypotensive effects of ANF including natriuresis, diuresis and vasodilation.     

Alpha adrenergic receptors mediate angiotensin-induced prostaglandin production in the rabbit isolated vas deferens

The effect of alpha adrenergic receptor antagonists on concentration-dependent response to angiotensins II and III was examined in the electrically stimulated isolated rabbit vas deferens. The force generated by a nonadrenergic neural mechanism was reduced by both peptides whereas the force generated by adrenergic neural mechanisms was enhanced. Angiotensin III-induced inhibition of the nonadrenergic contraction was significantly greater than that of angiotensin II for all groups. Yohimbine (1 X 10(-4) M), an alpha-2 receptor antagonist, attenuated the depression of the nonadrenergic contraction produced by angiotensins II and III. Yohimbine (1 X 10(-5) and 1 X 10(-4) M) also significantly reduced angiotensin II-induced prostaglandin E (PGE) synthesis. Yohimbine only significantly altered the angiotensin III-induced PGE synthesis at an antagonist concentration of 1 X 10(-4) M. Rauwolscine (1 X 10(-8) and 1 X 10(-7) M) attenuated angiotensin II-induced PGE production and at a higher concentration (1 X 10(-6) M) reduced angiotensin III-induced PGE production. The alpha-1 antagonist, prazosin (1 X 10(-6) M), did not alter nonadrenergic contractile or PGE responses to either angiotensin. The alpha-2 agonist, clonidine, both inhibited the nonadrenergic neural contraction and enhanced PGE synthesis. We interpret these data to indicate that angiotensins II and III may act via separate mechanisms to induce PGE synthesis in the vas deferens, with angiotensin II effects being more dependent on norepinephrine release from adrenergic nerves.     

Mode of the ciguatoxin-induced supersensitivity in the guinea-pig vas deferens

Ciguatoxin (CTX; 10(-7) X 10(-7) g/ml), the most potent marine toxin isolated from a number of tropical and subtropical fishes, shifted the dose-contractile response curves for norepinephrine (NE) and K+ to the left in a parallel manner in the guinea-pig isolated vas deferens, indicating that CTX caused supersensitivity. The CTX-induced potentiation was inhibited or abolished in the presence of tetrodotoxin (5 X 10(-7) M) or saxitoxin (5 X 10(-7) M) and in Na+-deficient medium, but was not affected by phentolamine (10(-6) M) and verapamil (10(-6) M). Treatment with reserpine (2 mg/kg/day, twice) almost completely prevented the release of NE by CTS, such pretreatment had no affect on the ability of CTX to potentiate responses to NE and K+. Furthermore, after cold storage (4 degrees C for 7 days) of tissues, the contractile response to NE (3 X 10(-6) M) and K+ (20 mM) was still profoundly potentiated after treatment with CTX (5 X 10(-7) g/ml). CTX (10(-7)-10(-5) g/ml) by itself had no apparent effect on either Na+, K+-adenosine triphosphatase activity or Na+ content of the vas deferens. However, in the presence of ouabain, CTX elevated the Na content of the vas deferens treated with ouabain alone by 27%. This effect of CTX was abolished by tetrodotoxin. These data suggest that CTX causes an increasing Na+ permeability across the TTX sensitive Na+ channels of smooth muscle cell, and this may play an important role in its mechanism of potentiation.     

Neuromodulatory effect of the atrial natriuretic factor clearance receptor binding peptide, cANF(4-23)-NH2 in rabbit isolated vasa deferentia.

This study tests the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the ANF clearance receptor binding peptide, cANF(4-23)-NH2 (cANF), inhibit adrenergic and purinergic neurotransmission in the rabbit isolated vas deferens by a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive mechanism. The vas deferens is a unique model used in the study of autonomic neurotransmission inasmuch as it has both a purinergic or twitch contraction and an adrenergic or tonic contraction associated with its response to electrical stimulation. Both ANF and cANF (10(-11) to 10(-6) M) inhibited electrically induced purinergic and adrenergic contractile force generation in a concentration-dependent manner. The ANF effect on both purinergic and adrenergic contractions was blocked by PTX (100 ng/ml). The cANF effect on the adrenergic contraction was also PTX-sensitive. Both peptides also attenuated evoked norepinephrine release in a concentration-dependent manner by a PTX-sensitive mechanism. cANF (10(-7) M) had no effect on norepinephrine- or ATP-induced contractions as was shown previously for ANF (10(-7) M). Therefore, the inhibitory effects of ANF and cANF appear to be prejunctional, on the release of the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and ATP, from the nerve terminal and not postjunctional on the smooth muscle. An effect of cANF on neurotransmission suggests that the reputed "silent" ANF clearance receptor has biological activity. PTX-sensitivity suggests the involvement of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein in mediating the neuromodulatory effect of atrial peptides.     

Effect of capsaicin on smooth muscles of rat vas deferens: involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide?

The effect of capsaicin on the rat vas deferens was examined in relation to the role of endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in modifying the contractility of smooth muscles. Capsaicin attenuated the twitch response of the rat vas deferens induced by the transmural nerve stimulation (TNS) in vitro. The effect of capsaicin was transient and developed tachyphylaxis rapidly. Capsaicin inhibited the contraction induced by the direct electrical stimulation of the innervated tissues in the presence of tetrodotoxin but not of the surgically denervated tissues. CGRP-like immunoreactive nerves were demonstrated to be present in the rat vas deferens. Exogenously applied CGRP inhibited both the TNS-induced twitch response and the contraction induced by direct electrical stimulation. Both capsaicin and CGRP slightly hyperpolarized the resting membrane potential of smooth muscle cells but did not affect the amplitude of the excitatory junction potentials. The intensity of CGRP-like immunoreactivity was reduced markedly after the in vitro incubation of the tissue with capsaicin. No CGRP-like immunoreactive nerves were detected in the denervated tissues. Thus, capsaicin inhibited both the TNS-induced twitch response and the contraction induced by direct stimulation of the smooth muscles only when CGRP-like immunoreactive nerves were normally present. These results suggest that capsaicin releases endogenous CGRP and that the released CGRP inhibits the contraction of the rat vas deferens by acting directly on smooth muscle cells but not on the sympathetic nerves.     

Existence of ATP-evoked ATP release system in smooth muscles.

Effects of stable ATP analogs such as alpha,beta-methylene ATP (alpha,beta-mATP) and beta,gamma-methylene ATP (beta,gamma-mATP) on ATP release and contractile response were evaluated in the vas deferens and ileal longitudinal muscles of guinea pig. In these smooth muscles, administration of alpha,beta-mATP (10, 30 or 100 microM) produced an ATP release accompanied by a transient contraction, but alpha,beta-methylene ADP (30 or 100 microM) or adenosine (30 microM) failed to elicit both the ATP release and the contraction. However, the peak responses of ATP release and contraction to alpha,beta-mATP (100 microM) in the vas deferens appeared around 2 min and 2.62 sec, respectively, after the injection of the drug. Beta,gamma-mATP (10 or 100 microM) caused an ATP release from the vas deferens. The ATP release as well as the contraction evoked by alpha,beta-mATP or beta,gamma-mATP were effectively inhibited by 300 microM suramin, a P2 purinoceptor antagonist. By contrast, ATP release and contractile response to norepinephrine in the vas deferens and those to bethanechol in the ileum were virtually unaffected by this antagonist. Veratridine and ouabain at (30 or 100 microM) caused markedly acetylcholine release from the ileum and norepinephrine release from the vas deferens, respectively. However, alpha,beta-mATP, even in a high concentration of 100 microM, did not elicit any release of acetylcholine or norepinephrine. These findings suggest that alpha,beta-mATP and probably beta,gamma-mATP evoke ATP release from not neuronal but mainly smooth muscular sites by activating suramin-sensitive P2x receptors, implying that "ATP-evoked ATP release system" exists.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine modulation of electrically induced twitch responses of mouse vas deferens: involvement of multiple 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors

The actions of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the electrically induced twitch responses of mouse vas deferens were studied. 5-HT at the concentration range of 10(-8) to 10(-4) M produced a "bell-shaped" concentration-response curve on the field-stimulated twitch contractions; the enhancement of the contractions was maximum at 10(-5) M and progressively reduced at the concentrations of more than 10(-5) M. In the presence of ketanserin, whereas the stimulatory response to low concentrations of 5-HT (less than or equal to 10(-6) M) was not changed, that to high concentrations was reversed. The stimulation by 5-HT (less than or equal to 10(-5) M) was principally antagonized by MDL 72222. In the presence of both MDL 72222 and ketanserin, 5-HT inhibited the twitch contractions in a dose-dependent manner. 8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and BP-554 (1-[3-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenoxy)propyl]-4-phenyl piperazine), selective 5-HT1A agonists, only inhibited the twitch contractions. Downward slope of the contraction-response curve of 5-HT (greater than or equal to 10(-5) 5 M) was shifted to right in the presence of 8-OH-DPAT. 5-HT and 8-OH-DPAT had no effect on the tension of unstimulated organs. Contractions elicited by ATP were potentiated by 5-HT, which was antagonized by ketanserin. 8-OH-DAPT did not affect ATP-elicited contractions. These results suggest the presence of presynaptic 5-HT1, maybe 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptors mediating inhibition and potentiation, respectively, of neurotransmitter release and of postsynaptic responsible for enhancing neurogenic contractions in mouse vas deferens.     

Histamine receptors in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle of the guinea-pig ileum: H1- and H2-receptor-mediated potentiation of the contractile response to electrical stimulation

The effect of histamine on the contractile response to low frequency-electrical field stimulation in the myenteric plexus-longitudinal muscle preparation of the guinea-pig ileum was investigated. By blocking the direct increase in smooth muscle tone caused by histamine with low concentrations of pyrilamine (10(-9)--5 x 10(-8) M) a dose-dependent, histamine-induced potentiation of the twitch response to electrical stimulation was observed. Blocking the direct actions of histamine with concentrations of pyrilamine greater than 10(-7) M resulted in a biphasic histamine dose-response curve: lower histamine concentrations produced a dose-dependent decrease of the twitch response; higher concentrations produced a potentiation. The potentiating effect of histamine was inhibited by high concentrations of H2-receptor antagonists. Tiotidine (ICI 125, 211) had a pA2 of 5.25, 100 times greater than its pA2 in isolated guinea-pig atria. Blockade of the actions of the H2-receptor agonists dimaprit and tetrahydrozoline also required greater antagonist concentrations. The selective H1-receptor agonist, 2-(2-thiazolyl)-ethylamine, also enhanced the response to electrical stimulation. The potentiating effect of histamine could be blocked by hexamethonium (10(-7)--10(-5) M) but not by atropine. Atropine (10(-9)--10(-8) M) did prevent the decrease in the contraction amplitude induced by histamine in the presence of 10(-7) M pyrilamine. The purinergic antagonist theophylline, adrenergic antagonists or depletion of endogenous catecholamines were without effect. Tetrodotoxin (10(-6) M) inhibited the augmentation induced by histamine. Our results demonstrate that histamine potentiates the acetylcholine-mediated contractile response to electrical field stimulation of guniea-pig ileum via H1- and what may be an H2-receptor subtype.     

Opioid agonist activity of ICI 174864 and its carboxypeptidase degradation product, LY281217

The opioid peptide antagonist, ICI 174864 ([allyl]2-Tyr-alpha-amino-isobutyric acid (Aib)-Aib-Phe-Leu-OH), can produce analgesic effects in mice. The present study explored the possibility that ICI 174864 1) may have affinity and agonist efficacy at mu receptors and/or 2) may form a carboxypeptidase degradation product in vivo that possesses mu agonist activity. In vitro, ICI 174864 (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) inhibited the twitch in the electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens (ED50 = 90 microM) and guinea pig ileum (ED50 greater than 10(-4) M). The in vitro partial agonist activity of ICI 174864 was due to interaction with delta and not mu receptors because the apparent dissociation constant for naloxone using ICI 174864 as the agonist was similar to the apparent dissociation constant for the interaction of naloxone with delta and not mu receptors. Thus, ICI 174864 is a weak partial agonist at delta receptors with little affinity or efficacy at mu receptors. The incubation of ICI 174864 with carboxypeptidase A generated a peptide, LY281217 [(allyl)2-Tyr-Aib-Aib-Phe-OH], which was a more potent agonist in the mouse vas deferens and guinea pig ileum than ICI 174864. The agonist activity of LY281217 was due to interaction with mu and not delta receptors because LY281217 was approximately 100-fold more potent than ICI 174864 as an agonist in the guinea pig ileum, the apparent dissociation constant for naloxone using LY281217 as the agonist was similar to the apparent dissociation constant for the interaction of naloxone with mu receptors and the delta selective antagonist.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Quantitative assessment of the pre- and postsynaptic alpha adrenoceptor antagonist potency of amitriptyline

The pre- and postsynaptic alpha adrenoceptor blocking affinity of amitriptyline was determined in isolated tissues by Schild regression analysis. In the absence of uptake-1 blockade with cocaine, amitriptyline treatment (3 X 10(-8)-3 X 10(-6) M) affected only marginally norepinephrine concentration-response curves in the rat anococcygeus muscle; a result suggesting opposing pharmacological effects (uptake-1 blockade and alpha blockade). After cocaine (3 X 10(-5) M) treatment, amitriptyline (3 X 10(-8)-3 X 10(-6) M) antagonized competitively concentration-response curves to norepinephrine, yielding a postsynaptic pKb of 7.51. A similar pKb was obtained when methoxamine was the agonist. Presynaptic alpha blocking affinity was determined by using the field-stimulated rat vas deferens. Stimulus conditions were chosen which minimized the inhibition of twitch height by high concentrations of cocaine. Using these conditions (10 Hz, 200 msec duration at 100-sec intervals), amitriptyline antagonized competitively clonidine inhibition of field-stimulated twitch contractions, yielding at pKb of 5.23. The presynaptic pKb was not changed in the presence of theophylline (10(-4) M). Amitriptyline was also observed to increase the release of [3H]norepinephrine from the field-stimulated rat anococcygeus muscle pretreated with cocaine. Although this effect primarily reflects alpha blockade, other biochemical and presynaptic mechanisms may be involved. Comparing the pre- and postsynaptic alpha blocking affinities indicates that amitriptyline has 191 X greater affinity for post- than presynaptic alpha adrenoceptors (i.e., alpha-1 much greater than alpha-2). The relevance of these observations to the mechanism of action and side effects of amitriptyline are discussed.     

Role of calcium and calmodulin in activation of the oxyntic cell by histamine and carbamylcholine in the guinea pig.

The role of calcium in stimulation of the oxyntic cell by histamine and carbamylcholine was studied using a sensitive quantitative cytochemical staining technique that measures oxyntic cell hydroxyl ion production (HIP) as an index of acid secretion. Histamine (10(-17)-10(-14) M), carbamylcholine (10(-12)-10(-9) M), and extracellular calcium (10(-7)-10(-3) M) caused a linear, dose-dependent stimulation of the oxyntic cell. EGTA (10(-6) M) inhibited carbamylcholine by 50% but not histamine-stimulated activity. Lanthanum chloride (10(-6) M) caused 100% inhibition of carbamylcholine-induced activity but did not affect histamine-stimulated activity. A maximally effective dose of calcium (10(-4) M) caused additive effects on HIP at low doses of carbamylcholine without alteration of the maximal effect of carbamylcholine. Calcium (10(-4) M) did not enhance the effects of histamine. The calmodulin antagonists, trifluoperazine (10(-5) M), pimozide (10(-5) M), and a naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7), inhibited the integrated response to histamine by 54, 56, and 53%, and that of carbamylcholine by 65, 64, and 99%, respectively. Thus, extracellular calcium per se, stimulates the oxyntic cell. The action of carbamylcholine is completely dependent upon calcium/calmodulin mediation, supporting the concept that cholinergic actions are mediated via calcium-calmodulin events. Although histamine does not require extracellular or membrane calcium events to stimulate the oxyntic cell, calmodulin appears to participate in histamine action.     

Cardiovascular and autonomic pharmacology of the macrolide antibiotic LY281389 in anesthetized beagles and in isolated smooth and cardiac muscles.

As part of the preclinical safety evaluation process, an investigational macrolide antibiotic, LY281389, was examined for autonomic activity in isolated smooth and cardiac muscle preparations and for cardiovascular effects by intravenous infusion in anesthetized beagles. Concentration-dependent antagonism of acetylcholine and angiotensin I (guinea pig ileum), norepinephrine (rat vas deferens), and isoproterenol (guinea pig atria) was observed at LY281389 concentrations of greater than or equal to 10(-5) M. At LY281389 concentrations of greater than or equal to 10(-4) M, the response of the guinea pig ileum to electrical stimulation was also inhibited approximately 65 to 100%, indicative of potential anticholinergic or alpha-adrenergic activity. In anesthetized dogs, the predominant effect of LY281389 was an increase in heart rate at doses of greater than or equal to 200 micrograms/kg of body weight. LY281389 also produced slight increases in mean arterial pressure and shortening of the P-R interval of the electrocardiogram. In summary, LY281389 possesses nonselective receptor antagonist activity in vitro and produces cardiovascular stimulation in anesthetized dogs. These results indicate that, in addition to potent antimicrobial activity, the macrolide antibiotic LY281389 may exert unexpected actions on cardiovascular function.     

Effects of ouabain on the nerve stimulation-evoked release of norepinephrine from the isolated perfused guinea-pig heart

The isolated perfused guinea-pig heart prelabeled with (-)-[7-3H]-norepinephrine was used to examine the effects of increasing concentrations of ouabain on the sympathetic nerve stimulation-evoked release of endogenous norepinephrine and [3H]norepinephrine in the presence and absence of physostigmine or atropine. The overflow of norepinephrine and [3H]norepinephrine from guinea-pig hearts was measured during postganglionic stimulation of the cardiac accelerator fibers (5 Hz for 60 sec, 2 msec duration, for 300 pulses). Perfusion with 10(-7) M ouabain for 20 min had no effect on the release of norepinephrine or [3H]norepinephrine after nerve stimulation. However, perfusion with either 10(-6) or 3 X 10(-6) M ouabain for 15 min resulted in a significant decrease in the nerve stimulation-evoked release of norepinephrine (44.6 +/- 2.24 and 44.0 +/- 2.17%, respectively) and [3H]norepinephrine (43.8 +/- 1.62 and 44.9 +/- 2.16%, respectively) compared with previous control outputs. Perfusion of hearts with physostigmine (10(-6) M), an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, or atropine (3 X 10(-6) M), a muscarinic blocking agent, did not alter the release of norepinephrine or [3H]norepinephrine after nerve stimulation. Perfusion with physostigmine during perfusion with 10(-6) M ouabain resulted in a decrease in the release of norepinephrine and [3H]norepinephrine only slightly greater than 10(-6) M ouabain alone, which was not significant, but the release of norepinephrine during stimulations performed after a 45-min washout of 10(-6) M ouabain was decreased significantly when 10(-6) M physostigmine was present. Perfusion of hearts with atropine during perfusion with either 10(-6) or 3 X 10(-6) M ouabain reversed the inhibitory effect of ouabain on the release of norepinephrine and [3H]norepinephrine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Modulation of peripheral adrenergic neurotransmission by methionine-enkephalin

The isolated perfusion cat spleen prelabeled with [3H]norepinephrine was used to study the effects of morphine and Met-enkephalin on the exocytotic release of norepinephrine from sympathetic adrenergic neurons after nerve stimulation. The overflow of endogenous norepinephrine, total 3H and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) from cat spleens was measured during postganglionic stimulation of the splenic nerve. Perfusion of spleens with Met-enkephalin (10(-8)-10(-5) M) produced a dose-dependent decrease in the release of endogenous norepinephrine upon nerve stimulation. These changes were paralleled by significant dose-dependent Met-enkephalin-induced decreases in the nerve stimulation-mediated release of total 3H, DBH and in the perfusion pressure. However, perfusion of spleens with morphine (10(-7)-10(-4) M) produced no significant changes in the release of endogenous norepinephrine, total 3H or DBH after nerve stimulation at 5 Hz. Morphine (10(-7)-10(-4) M) also had no significant effects on the contraction of the splenic capsule. Perfusion of spleens with naloxone (10(-6) M), a pure narcotic antagonist, did not alter the release of endogenous norepinephrine, total 3H, DBH or perfusion pressure. However, perfusion with naloxone (10(-6) M) plus Met-enkephalin (10(-6)-10(-5) M) antagonized the inhibitory effects of Met-enkephalin. These findings support the hypothesis that the opiate receptor population in peripheral tissues are heterogenous and that Met-enkephalin depresses exocytotic release of norepinephrine by interacting with a specific presynaptic opiate receptor.     

CH-38083, a selective, potent antagonist of alpha-2 adrenoceptors

The selectivity and specificity of CH-38083 [7,8-(methylenedioxi)-14-alpha-hydroxyalloberbane HCl], a berbane derivative for alpha adrenoceptors has been studied and compared with yohimbine and idazoxan in peripheral tissues and in the central nervous system. In isolated tissue experiments CH-38083 was a competitive antagonist at presynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptors on the axon terminals of the rat vas deferens (pA2 against xylazine = 8.17 +/- 0.06) and of the longitudinal muscle strip of guinea pig ileum (pA2 against xylazine = 8.07 +/- 0.20). As far as its postsynaptic alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonistic activity is concerned its affinity in rat vas deferens (pA2 = 4.95 +/- 0.11) against l-phenylephrine and in rabbit pulmonary artery (pA2 = 5.38 +/- 0.33 against l-norepinephrine) was markedly less than that displayed for presynaptic sites. From pA2 values obtained in rat vas deferens the calculated alpha-1/alpha-2 adrenoceptor selectivity ratios for yohimbine, idazoxan and CH-38083 were 4.7, 117.5 and 1659, respectively. CH-38083 failed to show any affinity for histamine and muscarinic receptors and it even potentiated the effect of serotonin on atropinized longitudinal muscle strip of guinea pig ileum. It enhanced the release of [3H]norepinephrine from electrically stimulated mouse vas deferens loaded previously with labeled [3H]norepinephrine. In binding studies carried out in rat brain membrane preparations using [3H]prazosin and [3H]idazoxan, the selectivity ratios (Ki alpha-1/Ki alpha-2) proved to be 32.5, 289.5 and 1368 for yohimbine, idazoxan and CH-38083, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Opioid receptor activity of GI 87084B, a novel ultra-short acting analgesic, in isolated tissues.

GI 87084B (3-[4-methoxycarbonyl-4-[(1-oxopropyl) phenylamino]1-piperidine]propanoic acid, methyl ester, hydrochloride) was found to be a potent opioid agonist in the guinea pig ileum (EC50 = 2.4 +/- 0.6 nM), the rat vas deferens (EC50 = 387 +/- 44 nM) and the mouse vas deferens (EC50 = 39.5 +/- 7.4 nM). In the guinea pig ileum, GI 87084B, was roughly equivalent in potency to fentanyl (EC50 = 1.8 +/- 0.4 nM). GI 87084B was more potent in this tissue than alfentanil (EC50 = 20.1 +/- 1.2 nM) and less potent than sufentanil (EC50 = 0.3 +/- 0.09 nM). Schild analyses of antagonism of GI 87084B by naloxone yielded pKB values of 8.2 and slopes indistinguishable from unity in the guinea pig ileum and the mouse vas deferens. Insurmountable antagonism of GI 87084B by naloxone was observed in the rat vas deferens. However, an empirical measure of antagonist potency could be made: apparent pA2 = 8.1. The agonist dissociation constant (KA) for GI 87084B (220 +/- 90 nM) was determined by receptor alkylation with beta-chlornaltrexamine in the guinea pig ileum. Calculation of receptor occupancy suggested poor receptor-effector coupling and limited receptor reserve in the rat vas deferens, which could explain the insurmountable antagonism seen with higher concentrations of naloxone. These data suggest that GI 87084B acted through the mu class of opioid receptors to inhibit contraction induced by field stimulation in these tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Excitatory effect of the most potent marine toxin, maitotoxin, on the guinea-pig vas deferens

The most potent marine toxin, maitotoxin (MTX) (10(-9) to 3 X 10(-8) g/ml) caused a slower contraction of the isolated guinea-pig vas deferens (second component) in a dose-dependent manner after the first rapid phasic contraction (first component). The second component of the MTX-induced contraction was markedly inhibited by phentolamine and reserpine, whereas the first component remained unaffected. Both components were inhibited or abolished by verapamil or a Ca-free medium, but were not affected by atropine, chlorpheniramine or tetrodotoxin. The tissue Ca content of the vas deferens was increased by MTX 10(-9) to 3 X 10(-8) g/ml) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MTX (10(-9) to 3 X 10(-8) g/ml) caused a dose-dependent release of norepinephrine from the tissue, which was inhibited or abolished by verapamil or a Ca-free medium. In Na+-free medium, MTX still caused a profound increase in the tissue Ca content and a marked release of norepinephrine from the vas deferens. These results suggest that the major part of the first component is the result of a direct action of MTX on smooth muscle membrane, whereas the second component is primarily the result of indirect action mediated through the norepinephrine release from the adrenergic nerve terminals. It is also suggested that both components are possibly due to an increased Ca++ permeability of the voltage sensitive Ca++ channels in smooth muscle and nerve membrane.     

Prazosin-sensitive component of the inotropic response to norepinephrine in rabbit heart

Earlier experiments have usually failed to demonstrate a competitively displaceable alpha adrenoceptor blocker-sensitive component in the dose-dependent inotropic response to norepinephrine in mammalian hearts. We reinvestigated if it was possible to reveal this phenomenon by carefully choosing a concentration of the alpha adrenoceptor blocker prazosin that would give a significant displacement while it still was possible to completely surmount the blockade by reasonable concentrations of norepinephrine. Both inotropic and lusitropic dose-dependent responses to norepinephrine in rabbit heart papillary muscles were recorded. In the presence of 3 X 10(-9) M prazosin there was a significant rightward shift of a component corresponding to about 20% of the total inotropic response to norepinephrine. The prazosin-sensitive component was shifted significantly more to the left by 3 X 10(-5) M cocaine than the nonsensitive component. The maximal inotropic response to norepinephrine was increased at lower prazosin-concentrations (3 X 10(-9) M), whereas at 10(-7) M prazosin the maximal response was unchanged compared to the absence of prazosin. The maximal lusitropic response to norepinephrine was increased monophasically and dose-dependently by prazosin. Thus, by carefully considering the relative potencies of the agonist and the antagonist it was possible to demonstrate an alpha adrenoceptor blocker sensitive component in the inotropic response to norepinephrine in rabbit heart. The effect of cocaine upon the prazosin-sensitive component would indicate that the alpha adrenoceptor population in rabbit myocardium is located more closely to the sympathetic nerve endings than the beta adrenoceptor population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)