Heterogeneity of muscarinic receptors in the guinea pig esophageal muscularis mucosae and ileal longitudinal muscle

Microscopic features of lamina muscularis mucosae of the goose gut

The aim of work was to determine the features of the microscopic structure of the lamina muscularis mucosae of the goose gut during the postnatal ontogenesis. According to the review of the literature, during the characterisation of the structure of the intestinal mucosa, researchers first pay attention to the condition of the villi, crypts, epithelial layer and their morphometric parameters, leaving the lamina muscularis mucosae aside. The intestinal lamina muscularis mucosae is an under-researched structure of the intestinal wall, the information on which is fragmentary and contradictory. The middle parts of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and rectum of large grey geese of 13 age groups were investigated. The classic histological methods of staining by hematoxylin and eosin, aniline blue – orange (by Mallory), as well as azure II – eosin were used. It was established that the lamina muscularis mucosae of the goose’s small intestine is formed by two layers of unstriated muscle tissue: internal and external. In contradistinction to mammals, the thicker inner layer of the LMM has not a circular, but a longitudinal direction of cell location while by contrast the thinner outer layer is located in a circular direction. According to results of our research, the thickness of the lamina muscularis mucosae of the small intestine of the geese rapidly increased with age. The thickness of the duodenum corresponded to the value of adult geese at 60 days of age; jejunum, ileum, and rectum – at 21 days, cecum – at 7 days age. The lamina muscularis mucosae was thinnest in the duodenum, and it was thickest in the ileum. The lamina muscularis mucosa of the large intestine of geese is represented by only one longitudinal layer. By contrast, the thinner outer layer is located in a circular direction. Detailed information of the microscopic structure of the lamina muscularis mucosae of the intestine of geese can be useful for specialists, both morphologists and physiologists, for analyzing the histological preparations of the intestine of birds by the action of biotic and abiotic factors, as well as a basis of comparison with such structure in other species of animals. The description of the construction of this important microscopic structure of the intestine can serve a morphological basis for elucidating its function.

Muscarinic agonists and antagonists: effects on gastrointestinal function

Muscarinic agonists and antagonists are used to treat a handful of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions associated with impaired salivary secretion or altered motility of GI smooth muscle. With regard to exocrine secretion, the major muscarinic receptor expressed in salivary, gastric, and pancreatic glands is the M₃ with a small contribution of the M₁ receptor. In GI smooth muscle, the major muscarinic receptors expressed are the M₂ and M₃ with the M₂ outnumbering the M₃ by a ratio of at least four to one. The antagonism of both smooth muscle contraction and exocrine secretion is usually consistent with an M₃ receptor mechanism despite the major presence of the M₂ receptor in smooth muscle. These results are consistent with the conditional role of the M₂ receptor in smooth muscle. That is, the contractile role of the M₂ receptor depends on that of the M₃ so that antagonism of the M₃ receptor eliminates the response of the M₂. The physiological roles of muscarinic receptors in the GI tract are consistent with their known signaling mechanisms. Some so-called tissue-selective M₃ antagonists may owe their selectivity to a highly potent interaction with a nonmuscarinic receptor target.

Assessment of gastrointestinal motility using three different assays in vitro

The protocols detailed in this unit are designed to assess the motor activity of different gastric and intestinal muscle preparations in vitro and the effects of drugs that modulate gastrointestinal motility. The preparations described are characterized by different contractile behaviors, consisting of spontaneous (duodenum), neurogenic (ileum), and drug-stimulated (fundus, ileum) motility; these reproduce motility patterns occurring in the gut wall in vivo. These protocols document the variety of factors that can influence the responses of isolated tissues and describe how such tissues can be used for testing substances that affect gut movements. These preparations allow evaluation of direct interactions with the processes that control contractile machinery, as well as indirect effects resulting from the modification of neurotransmitter release from myenteric neurons. These models can be exploited to assay novel compounds undergoing preclinical development or to evaluate the functional toxicity exerted by environmental or alimentary pollutants, like xenobiotics and naturally occurring toxins, as well as the mechanisms underlying these effects.

Preservative solution for freeze-storage of surgically excised human colon to enable study of smooth muscle function in vitro

We have compared the reactivity to carbachol and high potassium of circular smooth muscle isolated from segments of human colon which was freeze-stored in different preservative solutions for more than one month following surgical resection. Concentration-dependent contractions in response to carbachol were reduced in terms of both their sensitivity (pEC50) and reactivity (Emax), depending on the preservative solutions used. Similar reduction of reactivity to 100 mM KCl was also observed. The best responsiveness was shown when the tissue was freeze-stored in SFM101. It is concluded that the freeze-storage of surgically excised human colon in SFM101 or phosphate buffer solution for more than one month provided the best preservation of smooth muscle function for in vitro pharmacological examination.

Effects of Ba2+ on F&F 96365-sensitive sustained contraction of rat pulmonary artery

The effects of Ba2+ on receptor-mediated sustained contraction of rat pulmonary artery and guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae were studied in-vitro. In rat isolated pulmonary artery, sustained contraction induced by noradrenaline (1 microM) was resistant to nicardipine (1 microM), but this same sustained contraction was completely inhibited by SK&F 96365 (30 microM), a blocker of voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels and receptor-activated Ca2+ influx. The SK&F 96365-sensitive sustained contraction induced by noradrenaline (1 microM) may be due primarily to Ca2+ influx through receptor-activated Ca)+ channels resistant to nicardipine. Cumulatively applied BaCl2 (0.1 - 10 mM) increased the noradrenaline (1 microM)-induced sustained contraction of the pulmonary arterial preparation in the absence of nicardipine, but in the presence of nicardipine (1 microM), BaCl2 (0.1 - 3 mM) did not affect this contraction. A higher concentration of BaCl22 (10 mM), however, weakly inhibited the noradrenaline (1 microM)-induced tone. In addition, BaCl2 (3-10 mM) increased the tone induced by KCl (60 mM), and the BaCl2-elevated KCl tone was markedly inhibited by nicardipine (1 microM) treatment. In the guinea-pig isolated oesophageal muscularis mucosae, sustained contraction induced by acetylcholine (3 microM) was resistant to nicardipine (1 microM) but was returned to its basal level by SK&F 96365 (30-60 microM). The SK&F 96365-sensitive, acetylcholine-induced sustained contraction of the oesophageal muscularis mucosae is also likely to link with receptor-activated Ca2+ channels resistant to nicardipine. In contrast to the rat pulmonary artery, cumulatively applied BaC12 (0.3 - 10 mM) inhibited the acetylcholine (3 microM)-induced sustained contraction of the oesophageal muscularis mucosae in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of nicardipine (1 microM). In conclusion, Ba2+ presumably activates voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels by depolarizing plasma membrane and also passes through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels to contract the pulmonary artery in the absence of nicardipine, and Ba2+ also has a minor effect on the nicardipine-resistant, SK&F 96365-sensitive sustained contraction induced by noradrenaline in rat isolated pulmonary artery.

Contractile role of M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors in gastrointestinal smooth muscle

Muscarinic agonists elicit contraction through M3 receptors in most isolated preparations of gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and not surprisingly, several investigators have identified M3 receptors in smooth muscle using biochemical, immunological and molecular biological methods. However, these studies have also shown that the M2 receptor outnumbers the M3 by a factor of about four in most instances. In smooth muscle, M3 receptors mediate phosphoinositide hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization, whereas M2 receptors mediate an inhibition of cAMP accumulation. The inhibitory effect of the M2 receptor on cAMP levels suggests an indirect role for this receptor; namely, an inhibition of the relaxant action of cAMP-stimulating agents. Such a function has been rigorously demonstrated in an experimental paradigm where gastrointestinal smooth muscle is first incubated with 4-DAMP mustard to inactivate M3 receptors during a Treatment Phase, and subsequently, the contractile activity of muscarinic agonists is characterized during a Test Phase in the presence of histamine and a relaxant agent. When present together, histamine and the relaxant agent (e.g., isoproterenol or forskolin) have no net contractile effect because their actions oppose one another. However, under these conditions, muscarinic agonists elicit a highly potent contractile response through the M2 receptor, presumably by inhibiting the relaxant action of isoproterenol or forskolin on histamine-induced contractions. This contractile response is pertussis toxin-sensitive, unlike the standard contractile response to muscarinic agonists, which is pertussis toxin-insensitive. When measured under standard conditions (i.e., in the absence of histamine and without 4-DAMP mustard-treatment), the contractile response to muscarinic agonists is moderately sensitive to pertussis toxin if isoproterenol or forskolin is present. Also, pertussis toxin-treatment enhances the relaxant action of isoproterenol in the field-stimulated guinea pig ileum. These results demonstrate that endogenous acetylcholine can activate M2 receptors to inhibit the relaxant effects of beta-adrenoceptor activation on M3 receptor-mediated contractions. An operational model for the interaction between M2 and M3 receptors shows that competitive antagonism of the interactive response resembles an M3 profile under most conditions, making it difficult to detect the contribution of the M2 receptor.

Ba2+ selectively inhibits receptor-mediated contraction of the esophageal muscularis mucosae

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Ba2+ on acetylcholine- and KCl-induced contractions of the guinea-pig esophageal muscularis mucosae. When the muscularis mucosae was pretreated with nicardipine (1 microM), Ba2+ (0.1-30 mM) markedly inhibited the acetylcholine (3 microM)-induced tone, and at 10-30 mM the tone returned to its basal level. In contrast, Ba2+ (0.1-30 mM) slightly increased the KCl (60 mM)-induced tone. Moreover, the Ba2+ (30 mM)-increased KCl tone was completely inhibited by treatment with nicardipine (0.3-1 microM). In conclusion, Ba2+ both selectively inhibits receptor-mediated contraction of the muscularis mucosae and itself permeates through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels.

Pharmacological characterization of endothelin-induced contraction in the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae

1. In the oesophageal muscularis mucosae, we examined the effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1), endothelin-2 (ET-2), endothelin-3 (ET-3) and sarafotoxin S6c (SX6c) as agonists, and FR139317, BQ-123 and RES-701-1 as endothelin receptor antagonists. 2. All of the endothelins produced tonic contractions which were frequently superimposed on rhythmic motility in a concentration-dependent manner. The order of potency (-log EC50) was ET-1 (8.61)=SX6c (8.65)>ET-2 (8.40)>ET-3 (8.18). 3. FR139317 (1-3 microM) and BQ-123 (1 microM) caused parallel rightward shifts of the concentration-response curve to ET-1, but at higher concentrations caused no further shift. RES-701-1 (3 microM) caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to ET-1, while RES-701-1 (10 microM) had no additional effect. RES-701-1 (0.1-1 microM) concentration-dependently caused a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve to SX6c. The contraction to ET-1 (10 nM) in preparations desensitized to the actions of SX6c was greatly inhibited by pretreatment with FR139317 (10 microM). 4. Modulation of the Ca2+ concentration in the Krebs solution caused the concentration-response curve to ET-1 or SX6c to shift to the right and downward as external Ca2+ concentrations decreased. Verapamil (30 microM) abolished rhythmic motility induced by ET-1 or SX6c. Ni2+ (0.1 mM) weakly inhibited ET-1- or SX6c-induced tonic contraction. SK&F 96365 (60 microM) completely inhibited ET-1-induced contractions. 5. We conclude that there are two types of ET-receptors, excitatory ET(A)- and ET(B)-receptors in the oesophageal muscularis mucosae. These receptors mediate tonic contractions predominantly by opening receptor-operated Ca2+ channels (ROCs) and partly by opening T-type Ca2+ channels, and mediate rhythmic motility by opening L-type Ca2+ channels.

The role of receptor-operated CA2+ influx in endothelin-induced contraction of the muscularis mucosae

We examined the role of receptor-operated Ca2+ influx in endothelin-1 (ET-1)- or sarafotoxin S6c (S6c)-induced contraction of the muscularis mucosae. Responses of the esophageal muscularis mucosae isolated from guinea-pigs were recorded by an isotonic transducer and a polygraph. ET-1 and S6c produced contraction of the esophageal muscularis mucosae in a concentration-dependent manner. The contractile responses to ETs were abolished in a Ca(2+)-free EGTA-containing medium, weakly inhibited by nicardipine, and markedly inhibited by SK&F96365. In addition, both H-7 and U-73122 strongly inhibited the ET-induced contractions, but U-73343 weakly inhibited these responses. These results indicate that the esophageal muscularis mucosae of guinea pigs has ET receptors that are coupled mainly to receptor-operated Ca2+ influx and linked with the phospholipase C-protein kinase C pathway.

Subtypes of the muscarinic receptor in smooth muscle

Muscarinic receptors are expressed in smooth muscle throughout the body. In most instances, the muscarinic receptor population in smooth muscle is composed of mainly the M2 and M3 subtypes in an 80% to 20% mixture. The M3 subtype mediates phosphoinositide hydrolysis and calcium mobilization, whereas the M2 subtype mediates an inhibition of cAMP accumulation. In addition, a variety of ionic conductances are elicited by muscarinic receptors. Muscarinic agonists stimulate a nonselective cation conductance that is pertussis toxin-sensitive and dependent on calcium. The pertussis toxin-sensitivity of this response suggests that it is mediated by M2 receptors. Following agonist induced depolarization of smooth muscle, voltage dependent calcium channels are activated to enable an influx of calcium. In some instances, muscarinic agonists enhance this conductance through a mechanism involving protein kinase C, whereas in other instances, muscarinic agonists suppress this calcium conductance. Smooth muscle often contains calcium activated potassium channels that tend to repolarize the membrane following calcium influx. Activation of muscarinic receptors suppresses this potassium conductance in some smooth muscles. Under standard conditions, muscarinic agonists elicit pertussis toxin-insensitive contractions through activation of the M3 receptor. When most of the M3 receptors are inactivated, it is possible to measure a pertussis toxin-sensitive contractile response to muscarinic agonists that is most likely mediated through M2 receptors. M2 receptors also cause an indirect contraction by inhibiting the relaxant effects of agents that increase cAMP (e.g., forskolin and isoproterenol).

Involvement of the M2 muscarinic receptor in contractions of the guinea pig trachea, guinea pig esophagus, and rat fundus

The involvement of the M2 muscarinic receptor in contractile responses of the guinea pig trachea, guinea pig esophagus, and rat fundus was investigated. In the standard assay, oxotremorine-M elicited contractions of the trachea with an EC50 value of approximately 73 nanoM.--2- -(Diethylamino)methyl- -1-piperidinyl-acetyl--5,11- dihydro-6H-pyrido-2,3-b--1,4- benzodiazepine-6-one (AF-DX 116) at 1 and 10 microM antagonized these contractions by 2.1- and 9.0-fold increases in the EC50 value for oxotremorine-M. These effects are consistent with antagonism of an M3-mediated contractile response. In subsequent experiments, the M3 receptors were first inactivated selectively by incubation with N-(2-chloroethyl)-4- piperidinyl diphenylacetate (4-DAMP mustard) (40 nanoM) for 1 hr in the presence of AF-DX 116 (1 microM) followed by extensive washing. In 4-DAMP mustard treated trachea, oxotremorine-M elicited contractions with an EC50 value of 0.31 microM in the presence of histamine (10 microM) and forskolin (4 microM). Under these conditions, AF-DX 116 at 1 and 10 microM antagonized contractions to oxotremorine-M by 8- and 59-fold increases in the EC50, respectively, while para- fluorohexahydrosiladiphenidol(p-F-HHSiD) (0.1 microM) had no effect. These effects are consistent with a contraction being mediated by an M2 receptor. In the guinea pig esophagus and rat fundus, AF-DX 116 and p-F-HHSiD blocked contractions measured under similar conditions with magnitudes intermediate between what would be expected from an M2 and an M3 receptor, suggesting that perhaps both subtypes contribute to the overall contractile response under these conditions. In addition, contractions of the guinea pig trachea measured in the presence of histamine and forskolin were pertussis toxin sensitive. These results that, in the trachea, M2 receptors can dominate the contractile response after a majority of the M3 receptors have been inactivated, whereas in the guinea pig esophagus and rat fundus, M2 receptors may contribute to, but do not play a dominant role in the overall response.

Characterization of the interaction of zamifenacin at muscarinic receptors in vitro

The interaction of zamifenacin ((3R)-(+)-diphenylmethoxy-1-(3,4)-methylenedioxyphenethyl)pi peridine) at muscarinic receptor subtypes was studied using radioligand binding and functional techniques, in vitro. In radioligand binding studies, zamifenacin acted as a competitive antagonist, with the following pKi values; rat cerebral cortex (M1) 7.90 +/- 0.08, myocardium (M2) 7.93 +/- 0.13, submaxillary gland (M3) 8.52 +/- 0.04 and rabbit lung (M4) 7.78 +/- 0.04. In functional studies zamifenacin acted as a surmountable antagonist, exhibiting the following apparent affinity values; canine saphenous vein (putative M1) 7.93 +/- 0.09, guinea-pig left atria (M2) 6.60 +/- 0.04, guinea-pig ileum (M3) 9.31 +/- 0.06, guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae (M3) 8.84 +/- 0.04, guinea-pig trachea (M3) 8.16 +/- 0.04, and guinea-pig urinary bladder (M3) 7.57 +/- 0.15. Therefore, zamifenacin is selective for muscarinic M3 receptors in guinea-pig ileum, oesophageal muscularis mucosae, trachea and bladder over muscarinic M2 receptors in atria. The degree of muscarinic M3/M2 receptor selectivity depends upon the muscarinic M3 receptor preparation studied.

Characterization of the interaction of the cervane alkaloid, imperialine, at muscarinic receptors in vitro

The action of the cervane alkaloid, imperialine, has been assessed at M1, M2 and M3 receptors in functional assays and at M1, M2, M3 and putative M4 sites in binding studies. In functional studies, imperialine acted as a selective surmountable antagonist at M2 receptors in guinea-pig isolated atria and uterus (-log KB = 7.7 and 7.4, respectively), in comparison to M1 receptors in canine isolated saphenous vein (-log KB = 6.9) or M3 receptors in a range of guinea-pig isolated smooth muscles including ileum, trachea, fundus, seminal vesicle or oesophagus (-log KB = 6.6-6.8). In rat aorta, the -log KB value at the M3 receptor (5.9) was slightly, but significantly, lower. In competition radioligand binding studies, imperialine was also selective toward to M2 sites in rat myocardium (-log Ki = 7.2) with respect to M1 and M3 sites (rat cerebral cortex, rat submaxillary gland; -log Ki = 6.1 and 5.7, respectively). However, it did not significantly discriminate between rat cardiac M2 sites and putative M4 sites in rabbit lung (-log Ki = 6.9). Imperialine resembles the alkaloid himbacine in terms of its pharmacological profile at muscarinic receptor subtypes in that it acts as an M2 selective antagonist with respect to M1 or M3 sites. It may also provide a second, commercially available, antagonist with which to discriminate between M1 and M4 receptors.

Distribution and function of cholinergic receptors in the sheep detrusor muscle

The distribution of cholinergic nerve fibres, as well as the characterization of the muscarinic receptors responsible for the contraction, were determined in the detrusor smooth muscle of the sheep. The results obtained demonstrated a rich presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-positive fibres distributed throughout the bladder body forming dense neuromuscular, subepithelial and perivascular plexuses. Furthermore, intramural ganglia containing AChE-positive cell bodies were identified. However, acetylcholine and carbachol induced a dose-dependent contraction of detrusor smooth muscle. The effect observed with carbachol was competitively antagonized by atropine (pA2: 8.94), pirenzepine (pA2: 7.38), AF-DX 116 (pA2: 7.35), 4-DAMP (pA2: 9.26) and hexahydroxiladifenidol (HHSiD) (pA2: 8.49). The pA2 value for pirenzepine is intermediate between M1- and M2-receptors which suggests that this antagonist does not act on M1- or M2-receptors, but that it does on M3-receptors. The pA2 value for AF-DX 116 is consistent with the presence of M2-receptors in this tissue. Moreover, the pA2 values obtained for both 4-DAMP and HHSiD are in agreement with the presence of M3-receptors, due to the lack of effect of pirenzepine on M1-muscarinic receptors. These results indicate the existence of a rich parasympathetic innervation in the sheep detrusor muscle and suggest that its contraction could be mediated by the stimulation of muscarinic receptors belonging to both M3- and M2-subtypes.

Effects of two new pirenzepine analogs on the contractile response of the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae to acetylcholine, bethanechol, histamine and high potassium

The guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae was used to determine the affinity for muscarinic receptors of two new tricyclic compounds, DF 545 and DF 594, which are structurally related to pirenzepine. Both acetylcholine and bethanechol induced a concentration-dependent contraction of the muscularis mucosae. This contraction was competitively antagonized by DF 545 and DF 594 over the dose range 10(-7)-10(-5) M, while at higher concentrations both antagonists caused a depression of the maximal response to the cholinomimetics. The potency of DF 545 and DF 594 appeared to be comparable to that of pirenzepine and approximately 50 times lower than that of atropine. By comparing the affinities of DF 545 and DF 594 with those of selective antagonists (methoctramine and 4-DAMP) which discriminate between M2/M3 muscarinic receptor subtypes, it emerged that pirenzepine as well as DF 545 and DF 594 might act on M3 receptors, which seem to be predominant in the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae. McN-A-343 exhibited no agonist activity while it acted as a competitive antagonist against acetylcholine and bethanechol. None of the compounds exhibited calcium antagonist properties. DF 545 inhibited the contractile responses to histamine, but DF 594 and pirenzepine did not.

The interaction of parafluorohexahydrosiladiphenidol at muscarinic receptors in vitro

1. The antagonistic actions of parafluorohexahydrosiladiphenidol (pFHHSiD) at muscarinic receptors has been studied in cardiac muscle, smooth muscle and cell culture preparations. In this paper, the classification scheme of Doods et al. (1987) is employed. This scheme is based upon differential affinities of muscarinic antagonists. pFHHSiD exhibited high pA2 values at M3 receptors mediating contractions of guinea-pig ileum and oesophageal muscularis mucosae (7.8 and 8.2 respectively) whereas low values were determined at M2 receptors mediating negative inotropic responses in guinea-pig atria (6.0). Intermediate pA2 values were determined at M1 receptors mediating contractions of the canine femoral and saphenous veins. 2. The pA2 values of pFHHSiD at receptors mediating endothelial-dependent relaxation of rat aortic rings, rabbit jugular vein and canine femoral artery (7.6-7.9) were similar to those determined on the ileum. However, the pA2 values of pFHHSiD at receptors mediating contractions of the guinea-pig trachea (7.1), which has been previously shown to possess M3 receptors, were different from those determined in the ileum. 3. The similarity in pA2 values of pFHHSiD between the M3 receptors in guinea-pig ileum and the receptors mediating endothelial-dependent relaxations provide further evidence for the role of M3 receptors in this vascular response. Taken together, pA2 values for pFHHSiD range from 7.1 to 8.2, depending upon the M3 preparation used. The selectivity of the compound therefore for the M3 versus the M2 muscarinic receptor ranged from 13 to 163 fold. 4. At muscarinic receptors mediating stimulation of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis, pFHHSiD paradoxically displayed a high affinity for the M1 receptor in the SH-SY5Y cell line (pA2 = 7.9) as well as for the M3 receptor in the human astrocytoma (1321 NI cell line (pA2 = 7.6). The value at the M1 receptor in SH-SY5Y cells was greater than was observed at M1 receptors mediating contractions of both the canine saphenous and femoral veins (7.1). 5. pFHHSiD, therefore, clearly delineated M3 from M2 muscarinic receptors, whilst the separation between M1 and M3 receptors was variable. The reason for the anomalous affinity estimates in some functional studies remains unclear. These data indicate that the pA2 values for pFHHSiD appear to be tissue-dependent since the M3 selectivity varies according to the preparations studied. As a result the utility of pFHHSiD in muscarinic receptor classification is limited.

The interaction of hexamethonium with muscarinic receptor subtypes in vitro

1. The action of hexamethonium has been studied at a range of muscarinic receptors in vitro by use of both functional and radioligand binding studies. 2. In functional studies, hexamethonium exhibited little or no significant (P less than 0.05) antagonism of contractile responses to carbachol at muscarinic receptors in the guinea-pig ileum, oesophageal muscularis mucosae, urinary bladder and trachea. However, antagonism was observed at muscarinic receptors in the guinea-pig left atria mediating negative inotropic responses and the calculated pKB value was 3.80. Hexamethonium also antagonized contractile responses to carbachol in the canine saphenous vein. The pKB value at these receptors was 3.75. 3. In the presence of 3.2 mM hexamethonium, the pA2 value for methoctramine at atrial muscarinic receptors was reduced by approximately 10 fold (control pA2 value was 7.81 +/- 0.05; pA2 value in hexamethonium was 6.73 +/- 0.04). In contrast at tracheal muscarinic receptors, the pA2 values for methoctramine were unaffected in the presence of 3.2 mM hexamethonium (control pA2 = 5.58 +/- 0.07; pA2 value in hexamethonium was 5.63 +/- 0.12). All values quoted are mean +/- s.e. mean, n = 8. 4. In competition radioligand binding studies, hexamethonium exhibited a higher affinity for cardiac M2 receptors (pKi = 3.68) than for cerebrocortical M1 receptors (pKi = 3.28) or for submaxillary gland M3 receptors (pKi = 2.61). At M2 receptors hexamethonium at concentrations of 0.1-10 mM, increased the half life of the dissociation rate of [3H]-N-methylscopolamine 1.6-4.3 fold. This was observed at M3 receptors only at 10 mM, when the half life was increased 1.7 fold. 5. We conclude that hexamethonium, in addition to its well characterized nicotinic antagonist properties, can act as a weak muscarinic antagonist and differentiates between cardiac M2 receptors and glandular/smooth muscle M3 receptors. However, hexamethonium differentiates less clearly between M1 and M2 receptors. The selectivity between M2 and M3 receptors observed in the present study with hexamethonium is comparable to other M2 selective antagonists such as AF-DX 116 and himbacine. 6. Caution should be exercised with regard to the inclusion of hexamethonium in functionsal studies of M2 muscarinic receptor subtypes at concentrations of 0.1 mm and above.

The pharmacological properties of the peptide, endothelin

1. The effect of endothelin (ET-1) has been studied on isolated vascular and non-vascular preparations, using both functional and competition radioligand binding techniques. The effects of endothelin on blood pressure were studied in both anaesthetised, chemically denervated normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Endothelin elicited contractile responses in the rat thoracic aorta, perfused mesenteric bed, rabbit mesenteric artery and portal vein. The maximal responses in the rat aorta were enhanced by removal of the endothelium, and were reduced in the presence of either a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor (indomethacin) or a thromboxane receptor antagonist (SQ 29,548). In terms of potency, the most sensitive preparation was the rat endothelium-denuded aorta and rat perfused mesenteric bed (-log EC50 values = 8.2 +/- 0.07 and 8.2 +/- 0.12, mean +/- s.e.mean, n = 4, respectively). In the perfused mesenteric bed of the rat the maximum response to endothelin (219 +/- 12 mmHg, n = 4) was greater than that to either phenylephrine (maximal response = 67 +/- 9 mmHg; n = 4) or KCl (maximal response = 110 +/- 6 mmHg, n = 4). 3. Endothelin elicited contractile responses of the guinea-pig isolated ileum, oesophageal muscularis mucosae and uterus. Responses were also observed in the rat fundic strip and paced left atria. The guinea-pig urinary bladder, trachea, rat vas deferens and anococcygeus exhibited little or no response to endothelin at the concentrations studied (1 x 10(-12)-3.2 x 10(-8) M). Of the above preparations, the ileum and oesophageal muscularis mucosae were the most sensitive to endothelin (-log EC50 = 8.5 +/- 0.11 and 8.4 +/- 0.06, n = 6, respectively), exhibiting potencies similar to those observed in the endothelium-denuded aorta of the rat. 4. In competition-radioligand binding studies, endothelin did not displace either [3H]-PN 210-100 or [125I]-(-)-omega-conotoxin GVIA from binding sites in membranes from rat cerebral cortex and, skeletal muscle or from guinea-pig cerebral cortex and hippocampus, respectively. This indicates a lack of direct interaction of endothelin at the dihydropyridine binding site and the N-type calcium channel, respectively. However, in functional studies, contractile responses to endothelin (1 x 10(-8) M) in the endothelium-denuded aorta of the rat were potently reversed by nifedipine, verapamil, and prenylamine (-log IC50 values = 8.0 +/- 0.13, 7.2 +/- 0.09 and 6.6 +/- 0.08, n = 4-8, respectively). In addition, the responses to endothelin were virtually abolished in the presence of Krebs physiological salt solution containing no calcium but with 1 x 10-M EDTA added. Preequilibration with either (-)-w-conotoxin (1 x 10-6M) or tetrodotoxin (1 x 10-6M) did not affect responses to endothelin. 5. In chemically denervated rats, endothelin (1pmolkg-'-10nmolkg- , i.v.) exhibited pressor responses, which were unaffected by a 3 h pretreatment with indomethacin. In the SHR, the effects on blood pressure were not significantly different from those observed in normotensive animals at any of the doses studied. A transient (duration < 30 s) depressor response was also observed in all groups studied at a dose of 0.1-1 nmol kg-1 i.v. 6. In conclusion, endothelin is a potent contractile agonist in both vascular and non-vascular muscle. It appears to elicit responses partly via the entry of extracellular calcium (by a mechanism distinct from that of other calcium facilitators) and partly by release of endoperoxides.

A study of the muscarinic receptor subtype mediating mucus secretion in the cat trachea in vitro

Mucus secretion from the cat trachea simulated by muscarinic receptor agonists has been studied by monitoring both the weight and acid glycoconjugate content of samples taken from an in vitro preparation. The nature of the receptor has been probed using a number of competitive muscarinic receptor antagonists by estimating their affinities from the degree to which the response could be blocked. Antagonist affinities have also been compared with those obtained in tracheal smooth muscle and atria from the guinea-pig. Atropine had similar affinities for all receptors investigated. 4DAMP and AF-DX116 had relatively high (pA2 = 9) and low (pA2 = 6) affinities respectively for the secretory receptor. The pA2 value of 7.5 calculated for pirenzepine suggested that the receptor was not of the M1 subtype. However, the value was higher than that for pirenzepine in both guinea-pig tissues indicating that the receptor may be an 'intermediate' between M1 and M2 subtypes. The lack of antagonists with absolute selectivity for a particular subtype of the muscarinic receptor prohibits a definitive classification.

The interaction of methoctramine and himbacine at atrial, smooth muscle and endothelial muscarinic receptors in vitro

1. The action of methoctramine and himbacine at muscarinic receptors has been studied using guinea-pig isolated trachea, oesophageal muscularis mucosae, paced left atria, and rat aortic preparations. 2. Methoctramine (1 x 10(-6)-3.2 x 10(-4) M), but not himbacine, elicited positive inotropic responses. These responses were enhanced by pretreating the animals with reserpine. The responses in reserpine-treated animals were not antagonized by phentolamine (1 x 10(-6) M) but were antagonized by propranolol (1 x 10(-6) M). 3. Methoctramine, but not himbacine, exhibited allosteric inhibitory effects at cardiac muscarinic receptors, resulting in a curvilinear Schild plot. Deviations from competitive antagonism were also observed in combination dose-ratio experiments using atropine and methoctramine. At 1 x 10(-6) M, the pKB value for methoctramine was 7.88 +/- 0.15 (mean +/- s.e.mean, n = 5). The pA2 value for himbacine at cardiac muscarinic receptors was 8.52 +/- 0.06 (n = 3). 4. At tracheal and oesophageal muscularis mucosal smooth muscle receptors, the Schild plots for both antagonists were linear. The pA2 values for methoctramine at receptors in these two preparations were similar (6.08 +/- 0.05 and 6.03 +/- 0.09 respectively, n = 4) and were approximately 60 fold less than those values observed at atrial receptors. Himbacine, also exhibited similar values at muscarinic receptors in the trachea and oesophageal muscularis mucosae (7.61 +/- 0.05 and 7.57 +/- 0.04 respectively, n = 4). 5. Muscarinic receptors mediating relaxation of the rat aortic endothelium exhibited pA2 values for methoctramine (5.87 +/- 0.12, n = 6) which were similar to those observed in the smooth muscle, but not the atria. The pA2 values for himbacine at endothelial muscarinic receptors were approximately 0.5 pA2 units lower than those observed at muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle (6.92 + 0.80, n = 6). In addition, the Schild slopes for methoctramine and himbacine at these receptors were significantly (P < 0.05) less than unity. 6. Methoctramine, and to a lesser extent himbacine, are potent and selective antagonists for cardiac muscarinic receptors. However, caution should be used in interpretation of the data with methoctramine in view of the inhibitory allosteric properties and direct inotropic actions of this compound.

Comparison of the muscarinic receptors of the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae and trachea in vitro

1. The muscarinic receptor profile of the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae has been compared to that of the trachea in vitro. There was no significant difference in the potency of the following muscarinic agonists at muscarinic receptors in the two tissues: carbachol, RS-86, ethoxyethyltrimethyl-ammonium, bethanechol and pilocarpine. RS-86 was 6-fold more potent at receptors in the muscularis mucosae in comparison to the trachea. There was no difference in the affinity of either carbachol or RS 86 at receptors in the two tissues. 2. The affinities (pA2) of the majority of antagonists (atropine, 4 diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide, AF-DX 116, silabenzhexol, methoctramine and gallamine) were similar at receptors in the muscularis mucosae and trachea. In contrast, the affinity of pirenzepine was approximately 5-fold greater at receptors in the muscularis mucosae (pA2 = 7.4) in comparison to receptors in the trachea (pA2 = 6.8). 3. It is concluded that the muscarinic receptor profile of the oesophageal muscularis and trachea are similar and only differ slightly with respect to the affinity of pirenzepine. Consequently, it is difficult to justify receptor heterogeneity in these two tissues.

Muscarinic receptors in isolated smooth muscle cells from gastric antrum

Smooth muscle cells from the gastric antrum of the rabbit were isolated using collagenase and pronase. We examined the characteristics of muscarinic receptors that control contraction of the muscle cell: kinetics, stoichiometry and specificity of both contractile response to muscarinic agents and binding of labeled N-methyl-scopolamine. Cells contracted in the presence of muscarinic agents after a short time (30 sec) while binding of (3H)-NMS reached a plateau after 10 min exposure. Specific binding was saturable and Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of high-affinity binding sites (Kd: 0.5 nM). Oxotremorine was the most potent agonist with an ED50 of 0.6 pM; acetylcholine and carbachol were 10 times less potent. Muscarinic antagonists competed with (3H)-NMS for binding with IC50 values in the same range (nanomolar or less) than those obtained for inhibition of acetylcholine-induced contractions. Pirenzepine antagonized contractile effect of muscarinic agonists with EC50 in a micromolar range. Intracellular levels of cyclic AMP were lowered by muscarinic agonists. Monoclonal anti-muscarinic receptor antibodies M-35 displayed agonist-like activities triggering contraction and lowering cyclic AMP levels of the cells. However, although the antagonist inhibits M-35-induced contractions and cAMP decrease, M-35 had no effect on binding of the antagonist to the muscarinic receptor. These data revealed the presence of an M2-muscarinic receptor subtype involved in the contractile response of the isolated smooth muscle cell.

Differential effects of pertussis toxin on muscarinic responses in isolated atria and smooth muscle

1. The effect of pretreatment with pertussis toxin has been studied on responses to muscarinic agonists in guinea-pig atria and smooth muscle in vitro. 2. 48 h after a single intravenous injection of pertussis toxin (3.2-100 micrograms.kg-1), muscarinic receptor-mediated negative inotropic responses in the atria were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, with complete abolition of responses occurring after administration of 100 micrograms.kg-1. 3. In contrast, there was no effect on atrial positive inotropic responses to isoprenaline. In addition, no effect was observed on contractile responses to carbachol and pilocarpine in the ileum, trachea, oesophageal muscularis mucosae and urinary bladder, either in terms of potency or maximal response, at all dose levels of pertussis toxin studied. 4. It is concluded that muscarinic receptors in the atria, but not smooth muscle, are probably coupled to the inhibitory regulatory protein Ni, which is functionally inactivated by pertussis toxin. The differences in coupling between atrial and smooth muscle muscarinic receptors provide further evidence for muscarinic receptor heterogeneity in these two tissues.

Different spasmolytic effects of smooth muscle relaxants on the guinea-pig esophageal muscularis mucosae contracted by carbachol or high potassium in vitro

The responsiveness of the guinea-pig esophageal muscularis mucosae to smooth muscle relaxants was examined in vitro during the contractile state induced by carbachol (3 microM) or high potassium (60 mM). In the presence of phentolamine (3 microM), all catecholamines tested (10 nM-30 microM) relaxed the carbachol-induced tone more effectively than the high potassium-induced tone, and the maximum relaxations reached about 90-95% for carbachol but only about 40% for high potassium. Verapamil produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the muscularis mucosae precontracted with either spasmogen; the mean EC50 values (-log M) were 6.73 for high potassium and 4.65 for carbachol. Methylene blue (1-300 microM) relaxed the carbachol-contracted muscularis mucosae in a concentration-dependent manner but relaxed the high potassium-contracted one less potently. Forskolin (1-300 microM), papaverine (1-100 microM), aminophylline (10-300 microM), trifluoperazine (1-300 microM), 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N,N-diphenylcarbamate (10-300 microM), quinacrine (1-300 microM) and dibutyryl cyclic AMP (100 microM-3 mM) produced relaxation almost equipotently in both contractile states whereas adenosine (10 microM-1 mM), sodium nitroprusside (10-300 microM) and dibutyryl cyclic GMP (100 microM-3 mM) were virtually ineffective. The present results indicate that a variety of smooth muscle relaxants have different spasmolytic effects on the guinea-pig isolated esophageal muscularis mucosae which was precontracted with carbachol or high potassium and that catecholamines and methylene blue may produce relaxation independent of the changes in intracellular cyclic nucleotides, calmodulin or phosphoinositides.

Effects of cooling on the contractile response of the rat tracheal muscle to pilocarpine in vitro

Experiments were designed to determine the effect of cooling on the contractile response of rat tracheal strip-chain preparation to the partial agonist pilocarpine. The preparation was suspended in an organ bath containing Krebs bicarbonate solution for isometric tension recording. A decrease of the bath temperature from 37 to 30, 20 or 10 degrees C (cooling) did not affect or inhibited the contractile response of the trachea caused by pilocarpine (1-100 microM), while it augmented the carbachol (0.1-1 microM)-induced response. At 37 degrees C, the pilocarpine (3-100 microM)-induced contraction was relatively resistant to removal of extracellular Ca2+ or to the Ca2+ entry blocker, verapamil (1 microM). Similar results were also obtained for the carbachol (0.3-10 microM)-induced response. On the other hand, the affinity of pilocarpine for the tracheal muscarinic receptors, determined from its dissociation constant (KA), was significantly decreased at a lower temperature. It is concluded from these observations that cooling-induced subsensitivity of the rat tracheal muscle to pilocarpine is mainly associated with a decrease in the affinity of the agonist for muscarinic receptors.

Receptors for neurotransmitters in opossum oesophagus muscularis mucosa

Muscularis mucosa of the distal oesophagus of the opossum contains nerves which release acetylcholine and substance P(SP)-like material on field stimulation. The release of SP-like material appeared to be inhibited by the presence of exogenous muscarinic agonists and potentiated by muscarinic antagonists. Analysis of the postjunctional receptors involved using carbachol, McNeil A-343 (McN A-343), atropine and pirenzepine suggested that the receptors were not typical M2-muscarinic receptors. The potency of agonists and antagonists were consistent with some receptor properties resembling M1-muscarinic receptors. Prejunctional receptors to opiates, adenosine, agonists at alpha 2-adrenoceptors and prostaglandins were not detected. Receptors for tachykinins were present on the muscle in this tissue, but did not resemble clearly either SP-E or SP-P type receptors. They appear to be undifferentiated since most tachykinins were of similar potency. These results suggest that not all postjunctional muscarinic receptors in intestinal smooth muscle are M2 in type. There may be a gradation of types between M1 and M2.

Pharmacological characterization of the histamine receptor in the isolated muscularis mucosae of the guinea-pig oesophagus

To characterize the histamine receptors in the muscularis mucosae, the isotonic responsiveness of the isolated muscularis mucosae of the guinea-pig oesophagus to histamine receptor agonists and antagonists was examined in vitro. Histamine (0.1-100 microM) produced a concentration-dependent contraction of the muscularis mucosae (EC50 = 1.6 +/- 0.2 microM). The contractions were rapid in onset, sustained, reversible by washing and the preparation did not show tachyphylaxis. 2-Methylhistamine (2-MH), 2-pyridylethylamine (PEA) and 4-methylhistamine (4-MH) produced similar sustained contractions of the muscularis mucosae. The order of sensitivity was histamine greater than 2-MH greater than PEA greater than 4-MH. Impromidine (10-300 microM) and dimaprit (10-300 microM) caused no response in this tissue. The contractile responses to histamine, 2-MH, and PEA were competitively antagonized by diphenhydramine, and the pA2 values were almost the same (approximately 8.1). Cimetidine (100 microM) could not modify the contractile response to these agonists. The contractile response to histamine was slightly inhibited by tetrodotoxin (0.3 microM), atropine (1 microM), indomethacin (0.1-3 microM) or aspirin (30-300 microM), and the EC50 value was increased about 2-6 times by these drugs. When the preparation was incubated in Tyrode solution containing various calcium concentrations (0, 0.45, 0.9 and 1.8 mM), the concentration-response curve to histamine was shifted to the right and downward; the effect was inversely dependent on the calcium concentration, and in a calcium-free medium the response to histamine was abolished. Verapamil (1-10 microM) partially inhibited the contractile response to histamine. 7 The present results indicate that the contraction of the guinea-pig oesophageal muscularis mucosae to histamine is mediated mainly by a direct action on the smooth muscle and partly by indirect actions via the stimulation of either endogenous prostaglandin biosynthesis or intramural cholinergic nerves. The histamine receptors responsible for contractions of this tissue are probably mainly of the H,- subtype with H2-receptors having a negligible role.

Contractile responses of the guinea-pig esophageal muscularis mucosae in vitro to arachidonic acid and its metabolites

The responsiveness of the guinea-pig esophageal muscularis mucosae to arachidonic acid (AA) and its cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites was examined in vitro. AA (0.1-30 microM) produced a concentration-dependent contraction of the muscularis mucosae (mean EC50 +/- S.E.M. = 5.1 +/- 1.0 microM). The contractions in response to low concentrations of AA (0.1-3 microM) were prevented by pretreatment of the tissue with indomethacin (1-10 microM), while those in response to high concentrations (10-100 micron) were prevented by BW755C (10-100 microM). The contractile response to AA was antagonized by polyphloretin phosphate (PPP, 1-10 micrograms/ml) and by FPL 55712 (1-10 microM). All cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase metabolites of AA tested also produced a sustained contraction of the muscularis mucosae with the following order of sensitivity; leukotriene (LT) D4 greater than LTC4 greater than prostaglandin (PG) E2 greater than PGF2 alpha greater than PGI2 greater than thromboxane B2. The responses to LTC4 and LTD4 were antagonized by FPL 55712 (0.1-1 microM), while those to PGE2 and PGF2 alpha were antagonized by PPP (3-100 micrograms/ml). The present results indicate that exogenously applied AA contracts the isolated muscularis mucosae of the guinea-pig esophagus by an indirect action via its metabolism to both PGs and LTs. The putative PG and LT receptors located in this tissue are probably similar to those in the ileal longitudinal muscle, but differ from those in the airway smooth muscle.