Cytochalasin-B and phloretin depress contraction and relaxation of aortic smooth muscle |
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Authors: | P E Dresel L Knickle |
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Affiliation: | Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada. |
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Abstract: | Cytochalasin-B (20 microM) and phloretin (100 microM) blocked by more than 80% the contractile responses to calcium ions in partially depolarized rabbit aortic strips. Both also blocked, but only by approximately 50%, the responses to noradrenaline and histamine in normal calcium medium. The responses to these agonists in calcium-free EGTA medium were also blocked partially. Cytochalasin-B partially blocked the acetylcholine-induced relaxation of aortic strips precontracted with phenylephrine but not the relaxation due to nitroglycerine or compound A 23187. The relaxation due to isoprenaline was potentiated by cytochalasin B. Since both compounds are known to block hexose transport but share no other known effects, it is suggested that a glycolytic intermediate could be required for the contraction in response to calcium. However, the concentrations of cytochalasin-B required for these effects were somewhat greater than those usually required to block hexose transport. |
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