Role of the sodium pump in pacemaker generation in dog colonic smooth muscle

Kir3.1/3.2 encodes an I(KACh)-like current in gastrointestinal myocytes

Expression of the Kir3 channel subfamily in gastrointestinal (GI) myocytes was investigated. Members of this K(+) channel subfamily encode G protein-gated inwardly rectifying K(+) channels (I(KACh)) in other tissues, including the heart and brain. In the GI tract, I(KACh) could act as a negative feedback mechanism to temper the muscarinic response mediated primarily through activation of nonselective cation currents and inhibition of delayed-rectifier conductance. Kir3 channel subfamily isoforms expressed in GI myocytes were determined by performing RT-PCR on RNA isolated from canine colon, ileum, duodenum, and jejunum circular myocytes. Qualitative PCR demonstrated the presence of Kir3.1 and Kir3.2 transcripts in all smooth muscle cell preparations examined. Transcripts for Kir3.3 and Kir3.4 were not detected in the same preparations. Semiquantitative PCR showed similar transcriptional levels of Kir3.1 and Kir3.2 relative to beta-actin expression in the various GI preparations. Full-length cDNAs for Kir3.1 and Kir3.2 were cloned from murine colonic smooth muscle RNA and coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes with human muscarinic type 2 receptor. Superfusion of oocytes with ACh (10 microM) reversibly activated a Ba(2+)-sensitive and inwardly rectifying K(+) current. Immunohistochemistry using Kir3.1- and Kir3.2-specific antibodies demonstrated channel expression in circular and longitudinal smooth muscle cells. We conclude that an I(KACh) current is expressed in GI myocytes encoded by Kir3.1/3.2 heterotetramers.

Slow wave and spike action potentials recorded in cell cultures from the muscularis externa of the guinea pig small intestine

Intracellular recordings were obtained to investigate whether slow wave and spike type action potentials are present in cell cultures of the muscularis externa from the guinea pig small intestine. The muscularis externa of the small intestine was dissociated by using specific purified enzymes and gentle mechanical dissociation. Cells were plated on cover slips and maintained in culture for up to 4 weeks. Dissociated cells obtained in this way reorganized themselves in a few days to form small cell clumps showing spontaneous movements. Intracellular recordings of these clumps displayed both spike and slow wave type action potentials. Spikes were observed on top of some slow waves and were abolished by the addition of nifedipine or the removal of extracellular calcium. Slow waves, however, were nifedipine insensitive and temperature sensitive, and were abolished by octanol (a gap junction blocker) and forskolin (an adenyl cyclase activator). Slow waves were never observed in small clumps (<50 µm), suggesting that a critical mass of cells might be required for their generation. These observations demonstrated for the first time the presence of nifedipine-insensitive slow waves in cell cultures of the muscularis externa from the guinea pig small intestine. Cell cultures allow rigorous control of the immediate environment for the cells and this should facilitate future studies on the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for the slow waves in the gastrointestinal tract.Key words: smooth muscle, slow waves, spiking activity, gastrointestinal tract, gut, small intestine, electrophysiology, pacemaker activity, guinea pig.

Role of eicosanoids in alteration of membrane electrical properties in isolated mesenteric arteries of salt-loaded, Dahl salt-sensitive rats

1. The role of eicosanoids in altered membrane electrical properties of Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats was investigated, by use of conventional microelectrodes technique, in isolated superior mesenteric arteries of DS rats and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats fed either a high or low salt diet. 2. The membrane was significantly depolarized in salt-loaded DS rats compared with the other three groups. In addition, the arteries of salt-loaded DS rats exhibited spontaneous electrical activity. 3. Spontaneous electrical activity in salt-loaded DS rats was inhibited by the following: indomethacin, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor; ONO-3708, a prostaglandin H2/thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist; OKY-046, a thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor; nicardipine, a Ca(2+)-channel antagonist and by Ca(2+)-free solution. In addition, spontaneous electrical activity was enhanced by a thromboxane A2 analogue and by prostaglandin H2. Spontaneous electrical activity was unaffected by phentolamine, atropine and tetrodotoxin. 4. Membrane potential in arteries of salt-loaded DS rats was not affected by either indomethacin or ONO-3708. 5. Spontaneous contraction, sensitive to indomethacin, was present, and contractile sensitivity to high potassium solution was enhanced in arteries of salt-loaded DS rats. 6. These findings suggest that eicosanoid action, together with membrane depolarization, may lead to the activation of voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-channels, thereby causing spontaneous electrical activity in mesenteric arteries of salt-loaded DS rats. In addition, tension data suggest that these changes in membrane properties are related to enhanced contractile activities in salt-loaded DS rats. Mechanisms of depolarization remain to be determined.

Ouabain-induced excitation of colonic smooth muscle due to block of K+ conductance by intracellular Na+ ions

The mechanism by which ouabain causes excitation of canine colonic circular smooth muscle was investigated. Ouabain-induced depolarization and increase in contractility were related to the concentration of extracellular sodium and prevented by complete substitution of sodium ions with N-methyl-D-glucamine or lithium ions. Absence of external sodium ions did not prevent the depolarization and increase in contractility induced by tetraethylammonium. Exposure of the muscle strips to sodium-free solutions produced a transient hyperpolarization and decrease in the input membrane resistance consistent with the hypothesis that intracellular sodium blocks potassium conductance. The relationship between the membrane potential and the extracellular potassium concentration indicated that the resting membrane potential is mainly determined by the membrane potassium conductance. Our data suggest the following mechanism of action for ouabain: (a) ouabain blocks Na+/K+ pump thereby increasing the intracellular sodium concentration; (b) increase in intracellular sodium inhibits membrane potassium conductance, which depolarizes the membrane and prolongs the slow wave plateau, resulting in an increase of the force of contraction. The direct contribution of the sodium pump to the resting membrane potential, if any, can only be minor (< 6 mV).

Ionic basis for spontaneous depolarizations in isolated smooth muscle cells of canine colon

The type of cell that serves as the pacemaker in the colon is presently unknown. This study evaluated the ionic basis of spontaneous depolarizations in circular smooth muscle cells isolated from canine colon using whole cell voltage and current clamp techniques. Increasing temperature increased the probability of observing spontaneous depolarizations, depolarized the resting membrane potential (RMP), and increased Ca2+ and K+ currents. Spontaneous depolarizations occurred as rhythmic events, in bursts, or as isolated events. Varying the holding potential from -100 to -40 mV inhibited a component of inward current thought to be necessary for spontaneous depolarizations. The Ca2+ channel blockers, nickel and nisoldipine, inhibited spontaneous depolarizations. Nickel caused a hyperpolarization, whereas nisoldipine did not affect RMP. Ouabain depolarized the RMP and inhibited spontaneous depolarizations. The K+ channel blocker, tetraethylammonium, depolarized the RMP and lengthened the duration of spontaneous depolarizations. The key finding is that single colon circular smooth muscle cells are capable of generating spontaneous depolarizations similar to those described for slow waves in intact tissues and that a temperature- and nickel-sensitive inward current is essential for spontaneous activity.

Generation of slow-wave-type action potentials in canine colon smooth muscle involves a non-L-type Ca2+ conductance

1. The hypothesis was addressed that a non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the generation of the initial part of the slow-wave-type action potential in the canine colon. 2. In the absence of a sodium and chloride gradient (NaCl replaced by glucamine), and in the presence of nitrendipine (in 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution), a major portion of the upstroke potential of the slow wave persists at unchanged frequency. 3. In 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution, the rate of rise and amplitude of the upstroke potential is reduced by removal of extracellular calcium in a concentration-dependent manner. 4. The rate of rise and the amplitude of the upstroke potential is in a concentration-dependent manner reduced by Ni2+ greater than Cd2+ greater than Co2+ greater than Mg2+. 5. In 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution, Ba2+ cannot replace Ca2+ in the generation of the upstroke potential. 6. Positive evidence was obtained for the hypothesis that a non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the initiation of the slow-wave-type action potential in colonic smooth muscle.

Effect of voltage and cyclic AMP on frequency of slow-wave-type action potentials in canine colon smooth muscle

1. A non-L-type calcium conductance is involved in the generation of the initial part of the slow-wave-type action potential in colonic smooth muscle. The present study addresses the question whether this conductance is voltage or metabolically activated. 2. Current-induced hyperpolarization increased frequency and amplitude of slow waves measured in Krebs solution. 3. The upstroke potential was 'isolated' from the slow wave by superfusion with 'glucamine-nitrendipine' Krebs solution (NaCl was replaced by glucamine, nitrendipine was added). 4. Hyperpolarization up to -100 mV did not affect the upstroke potential frequency and increased its amplitude. Only hyperpolarization further than -100 mV decreased the frequency less than or equal to 20%, and reduced the amplitude less than or equal to 20%. 5. Depolarization did not affect the upstroke potential frequency. 6. Forskolin, but not 1,9-dideoxyforskolin dramatically decreased the upstroke potential frequency, without affecting other parameters including the resting membrane potential. 7. The effect of forskolin was mimicked by dibutyryl cyclic AMP, 8-bromo-cyclic AMP and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), but not extracellular cyclic AMP. 8. The upstroke potential could not be evoked by depolarizing pulses after inhibition of activity by forskolin. 9. The effect of forskolin could be reversed by the calcium ionophore A23187. 10. In summary, voltage changes up to -40 mV and down to -100 mV do not, but changes in intracellular cyclic AMP do affect the frequency of the upstroke potential. 11. It is likely that intracellular metabolic activity, which may include cyclic AMP but not a voltage change, activates the conductance responsible for the generation of the upstroke potential.

Effects of ouabain on background and voltage-dependent currents in canine colonic myocytes

Previous studies have suggested that the membrane potential gradient across the circular muscle layer of the canine proximal colon is due to a gradient in the contribution of the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase. Cells at the submucosal border generate approximately 35 mV of pump potential, whereas at the myenteric border the pump contributes very little to resting potential. Results from experiments in intact muscles in which the pump is blocked are somewhat difficult to interpret because of possible effects of pump inhibitors on membrane conductances. Therefore, we studied isolated colonic myocytes to test the effects of ouabain on passive membrane properties and voltage-dependent currents. Ouabain (10(-5) M) depolarized cells and decreased input resistance from 0.487 +/- 0.060 to 0.292 +/- 0.040 G omega. The decrease in resistance was attributed to an increase in K+ conductance. Studies were also performed to measure the ouabain-dependent current. At 37 degrees C, in cells dialyzed with 19 mM intracellular Na+ concentration [( Na+]i), ouabain caused an inward current averaging 71.06 +/- 7.49 pA, which was attributed to blockade of pump current. At 24 degrees C or in cells dialyzed with low [Na+]i (11 mM), ouabain caused little change in holding current. With the input resistance of colonic cells, pump current appears capable of generating at least 35 mV. Thus an electrogenic Na+ pump could contribute significantly to membrane potential.

Ionic basis of pacemaker generation in dog colonic smooth muscle

1. The ionic basis of the slow waves in the circular muscle of the dog colon, in particular the ionic conductances involved in their initiation, were investigated by measuring intracellular electrical activity in the Abe-Tomita-type chamber for voltage control. 2. The depolarization that initiates the slow wave activity could be evoked by an increase in inward current and/or by a block of outward current. According to previous work, inward current could be carried by Na+, Cl-, and Ca2+ ions; K+ ions would carry outward current. 3. The Na+ channel blocker tetrodotoxin (5 x 10(-7) M) did not affect the slow wave amplitude nor its rate of rise. After omission of Na+, by replacing Na+ with N-methyl-D-glucamine, large slow waves continued to develop although some changes in slow wave characteristics occurred. 4. Replacement of 91% of the Cl- by isethionate decreased the slow wave frequency and increased the slow wave amplitude. However, NaCl substitution by sucrose increased the slow wave frequency and decreased the slow wave amplitude. 5. Slow wave activity continued to develop after blockade of Ca2+ influx by D600 (10(-6) M) or CoCl2 (1-3 mM). D600 and Co2+ did not affect the membrane potential but reduced the slow wave amplitude and abolished the plateau potential. Slow waves were abolished after omission of extracellular Ca2+ (plus 1 mM-EGTA). This suggests that Ca2+ influx is probably not necessary but extracellular presence of Ca2+ ions is indispensible for the slow wave generation. 6. The combination of 0 Na+, Li+ HEPES solution, by replacing Na+ with Li+, plus D600 depolarized the cells (up to approximately -40 mV) and abolished slow wave activity. This effect was voltage dependent since repolarization caused slow waves to return. 7. Abolition of the slow wave activity was also obtained by current-induced depolarization to approximately -40 mV. However, during high-K+-induced depolarization (to approximately -40 mV) high amplitude (16 mV) slow waves were still present, slowing that the voltage dependence of the slow waves was shifted positively. This effect probably occurs due to modification by extracellular K+ of a voltage-dependent K+ conductance, which would suggest that a K+ conductance is involved in slow wave generation. 8. In conclusion, slow waves are generated by cyclic membrane conductance changes, which are dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ ions and on the membrane potential. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that slow waves are initiated by the blockade of a K+ conductance.