delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol: dose-dependent effects on evoked potentials in the hippocampal slice

The effects of (-) trans-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolite cannabidiol (CBD) were investigated on evoked responses in the CA1 and dentate gyrus regions of the guinea pig transverse hippocampal slice. In both areas orthodromically evoked responses were enhanced by 10(-7) M THC, while 10(-6) M THC caused depression. Antidromic responses were not significantly affected. Antidromically-evoked inhibition in the CA1 region was decreased at low doses and unaffected at higher doses, while the facilitation by orthodromic interaction was unaffected at both dose ranges. The early part of the orthodromic field potential corresponding to the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) was enhanced at 10(-7) M in both areas. CBD (10(-6) M) decreased facilitation in CA1, and caused delayed excitation in the dentate granule layer. This study supports the conclusion that the biphasic effects of THC are dose dependent.     

The topological characteristics of rat myocardial reactivity to noradrenaline, acetylcholine and a change in the electrostimulation frequency]

Dose-dependent effects of noradrenaline (10-7-10-6M), acetylcholine (10-8-3x10-6M) and stimulation rate (0.2-2.0 Hz) were obtained in experiments on myocardium preparations of the right and left atria and ventricles in rat. Three types of topological differences of the rat myocardium reactivity were observed: between the atria and ventricles (A/V), between the right and left atria and ventricles (R/L), between the right atrium (RA) and other cardiac chambers. A/V differences were most pronounced in the reactivity to acetylcholine (the atria were more reactive), the highest R/L differences were observed in the reactivity to noradrenaline (the myocardium of the right chambers was more reactive). RA reactivity greatly exceeded reactivity of other myocardial preparations to all three test influences. Topological peculiarities of chrono-inotropism permit supposing, that inotropic effects of rate changes in vivo are able to compensate, to some extent, the regional nonuniformity of cholin- and adrenergic regulatory inotropic effects.     

Age-related changes in inotropic effects of noradrenaline and acetylcholine on the myocardium of guinea pigs]

The inotropic effects of noradrenaline (10(-7)-10(-5) M) and acetylcholine (10(-8)-10(-6) M) were studied in experiments carried out on preparations of the right atria and on papillary muscles of the right ventricle in adult (4-5 months) and old (18-24 months) guinea pigs. An age-related decrease in inotropic noradrenaline effects and the displacement of dose-effect relationships to the right was revealed. Similar changes of the dose-related effects of acetylcholine superfused against the background of noradrenaline action were observed. The direct inotropic action of the acetylcholine did not change with ageing. A lack of the essential atrial-ventricular differences in age-related changes in myocardial reactivity is apparently very significant for support of effective functional coupling of cardiac chambers in ageing.     

Chemical reactivity of the functional groups of insulin. Concentration-dependence studies.

A modification to the competitive labelling procedure of Duggleby and Kaplan [(1975) Biochemistry 14, 5168-5175] was used to study the reactivity of the N-termini, lysine, histidine and tyrosine groups of insulin over the concentration range 1 X 10(-3)-1 X 10(-7)M. Reactions were carried out with acetic anhydride and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in 0.1 M-KCl at 37 degrees C using Pyrex glass, Tefzel and polystyrene reaction vessels. At high concentrations all groups had either normal or enhanced reactivity but at high dilution the reactivities of all functional groups became negligible. This behaviour is attributed to the adsorption of insulin to the reaction vessels. The histidine residues show a large decrease in reactivity in all reaction vessels in the concentration range 1 X 10(-3)-1 X 10(-5)M where there are no adsorption effects and where the reactivities of all other functional groups are independent of concentration. With polystyrene, where adsorption effects become significant only below 1 X 10(-6)M, the reactivity of the phenylalanine N-terminus also shows a decrease in reactivity between 1 X 10(-5) and 1 X 10(-6)M. In 1 M-KCl insulin does not absorb to Pyrex glass and under these conditions the histidine reactivity is concentration-dependent from 1 X 10(-3) to 5 X 10(-6)M and the B1 phenylalanine alpha-amino and the B29 lysine epsilon-amino reactivities from 5 X 10(-6) to 1 X 10(-7)M, whereas the reactivities of all other groups are constant. These alterations in reactivity on dilution are attributed to disruption of dimer-dimer interactions for histidine and to monomer-monomer interactions for the phenylalanine and lysine amino groups. It is concluded that the monomeric unit of insulin has essentially the same conformation in its free and associated states.     

Transport activity of MCT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes is increased by interaction with carbonic anhydrase

Injection of carbonic anhydrase isoform II (CA) into Xenopus frog oocytes increased the rate of H+ flux via the rat monocarboxylate transporter isoform 1 (MCT1) expressed in the oocytes. MCT1 activity was assessed by changes of intracellular H+ concentration measured by pH-selective microelectrodes during application of lactate. CA-induced augmentation of the rate of H+ flux mediated by MCT1 was not inhibited by ethoxyzolamide (10 microM) and did not depend on the presence of added CO2/HCO3- but was suppressed by injection of an antibody against CA. Deleting the C terminus of the MCT1 greatly reduced its transport rate and removed transport facilitation by CA. Injected CA accelerated the CO2/HCO3(-)-induced acidification severalfold, which was blocked by ethoxyzolamide and was independent of MCT1 expression. Mass spectrometry confirmed activity of CA as injected into the frog oocytes. With pulldown assays we demonstrated a specific binding of CA to MCT1 that was not attributed to the C terminus of MCT1. Our results suggest that CA enhances MCT1 transport activity, independent of its enzymatic reaction center, presumably by binding to MCT1.     

Mechanism of radiation-induced reactions in aqueous solution of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid: effects of concentration, gas and additive on fluorescent product yield

The radiation-induced reactions of a water-soluble coumarin derivative, coumarin-3-carboxyl acid (C3CA), have been investigated in aqueous solutions by pulse radiolysis with a 35 MeV electron beam, final product analysis following (60)Co γ-irradiations and deterministic model simulations. Pulse radiolysis revealed that C3CA reacted with both hydroxyl radicals ((?)OH) and hydrated electrons (e(-) (aq)) with near diffusion-controlled rate constants of 6.8 × 10(9) and 2.1 × 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. The reactivity of C3CA towards O(2)(? -) was not confirmed by pulse radiolysis. Production of the fluorescent molecule, 7-hydroxy-coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (7OH-C3CA), was confirmed by final product analysis with a fluorescence spectrometer coupled to a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Production yields of 7OH-C3CA following (60)Co γ-irradiations depended on the irradiation conditions and ranged from 0.025 to 0.18 (100 eV) (-1). Yield varied with saturating gas, additive and C3CA concentration, implying the presence of at least two pathways capable of providing 7OH-C3CA as a stable product following the scavenging reaction of C3CA with (?)OH, including a peroxidation/elimination sequence and a disproportionation pathway. A reaction mechanism for the two pathways was proposed and incorporated into a deterministic simulation, showing that the mechanism can explain experimentally measured 7OH-C3CA yields with a constant conversion factor of 4.7% from (?)OH scavenging to 7OH-C3CA production, unless t-BuOH was added.     

Effects of polymethylene derivatives of 4-aminopyridine on functional properties of hippocampal neurons

The effects of amiridin (9-amino-2,3,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-IH-cyclopenta(b) quinoline) and tacrine (1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-9-aminoacridine) on Schaffer collaterals--CAI field potentials were compared in rat hippocampal slice preparations. Similar dose-dependent increase in pop-spike amplitude was observed during slice perfusion with low concentrations of amiridin (5-50 microM) or tacrine (0.5-10 microM). This facilitation was not always fully reversible. The effect was accompanied by slight decrease in pop-EPSP amplitude suggesting membrane depolarization as a possible mechanism of pop-spike facilitation. Further increase in drug concentrations led to the depression and full blockade of pop-spike, that was associated with significant decrease in the pop-EPSP and fiber potential amplitudes. In contrast structurally related 4-aminopyridine evoked dose-dependent increase in both pop-EPSP and pop-spike amplitudes with all the concentrations tested (0.05-1000 microM), this facilitation was transformed into epileptiform response with 4-aminopyridine concentration about 500 microM. Possible mechanisms of drug actions on hippocampal neuron reactivity are discussed. It is suggested that amiridin might turn to be as effective as tacrine in symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer disease.     

Enhanced neuronal K+ conductance: a possible common mechanism for sedative-hypnotic drug action

It is commonly thought that central nervous system depressant drugs exert their actions through enhancement of gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA)-mediated mechanisms. Recently, the cellular electrophysiological evidence from this laboratory and others suggests that both sedative hypnotics and general anaesthetics inhibit central neurons by increasing potassium conductance (GK). We have utilized the mammalian in vitro hippocampal and cerebellar slice preparations at 34-36 degrees C. Intracellular recordings from CA1, CA3, and cerebellar Purkinje cells were obtained. Low dose (sedative) concentrations of ethanol (less than or equal to 20 mM), two different benzodiazepines (midazolam and clonazepam in low nanomolar concentrations), and pentobarbital (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) were applied by pressure ejection or were bath perfused. All drugs caused a hyperpolarization with decreased spontaneous activity, and enhanced post spike afterhyperpolarizations (AHPs). These long-lasting AHPs are presumably due to enhanced calcium-mediated GK. Increased responsiveness to focally applied GABA was only seen at higher doses (ethanol, 100 mM; midazolam, 10(-7) M; pentobarbital, 10(-4) M). These data suggest that the above neurodepressant drugs, when applied at sedative doses to hippocampal pyramidal cells, enhance GK and not the actions of GABA.     

Lung liquid production by in vitro lungs from fetal guinea pigs: studies with metabolic inhibitors.

Lungs from fetal guinea pigs (62 +/- 2 days of gestation) were supported in vitro for 3 h, and lung liquid production was measured by dye dilution. Eighteen untreated preparations produced fluid at 1.76 +/- 0.30 mL.kg-1 body weight.h-1 during the first hour, with no significant changes in later hours. When inhibitors of respiratory processes were placed in the outer saline during the middle hour, production changed significantly, as follows: (a) sodium iodoacetate at 10(-3) M stopped production (87.2 +/- 10.3 and 100% reductions, successive hours; n = 6), at 10(-4) M it reduced production (60.0 +/- 10.3 and 63.4 +/- 9.3% reduction, successive hours; n = 12); (b) sodium fluoride, 10(-3) M, almost stopped production (93.2 +/- 12.1 and 89.5 +/- 9.3% reductions, successive hours; n = 6); (c) sodium cyanide at high concentration (10(-3) M) reduced production slowly (35.5 +/- 12.3 and 73.1 +/- 22.4%; successive hours; n = 6); (d) sodium azide, 10(-3) M, also reduced production (67.6 +/- 14.2 and 59.7 +/- 14.0%, successive hours; n = 6); total lactate lost rose 1.8 +/- 0.5 fold; (e) dinitrophenol produced strong reabsorptions; at 10(-3) M, production fell 115.4 +/- 15.9 and 113.1 +/- 47.3%, successive hours (n = 4), and at 2 x 10(-4) M it fell 143.8 +/- 33.8 and 153.4 +/- 26.7%, successive hours (n = 6); total lactate lost rose 2- to 3-fold. Control preparations showed no significant changes. The results suggest that lung liquid production requires glycolysis and aerobic metabolism. However, reabsorption appears to continue on glycolysis alone, a particularly useful situation for neonates suffering respiratory distress.     

Effects of anethole and structural analogues on the contractility of rat isolated aorta: Involvement of voltage-dependent Ca2+-channels

Anethole is a naturally occurring aromatic oxidant, present in a variety of medicinal plant extracts, which is commonly used by the food and beverage industry. Despite its widespread occurrence and commercial use, there is currently little information regarding effects of this compound on the vasculature. Therefore the actions of anethole on the contractility of rat isolated aorta were compared with those of eugenol, and their respective isomeric forms, estragole and isoeugenol. In aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE; 1 microM), anethole (10(-6) M-10(-4) M) induced contraction in preparations possessing an intact endothelium, but not in endothelium-denuded tissues. At higher concentrations (10(-3) M-10(-2) M), anethole-induced concentration-dependent and complete relaxation of all precontracted preparations, irrespective of whether the endothelium was intact or not, an action shared by eugenol, estragole and isoeugenol. The contractile and relaxant effects of anethole in PE-precontracted preparations were not altered by L-NAME (10 microM) or indomethacin (10 microM), indicating that neither nitric oxide nor prostaglandins were involved in these actions. The mixed profile of effects was not confined to PE-mediated contraction, since similar responses were obtained to anethole when tissues were precontracted with 25 mM KCl. Anethole and estragole (10(-6)-10(-4) M), but not eugenol or isoeugenol, increased the basal tonus of endothelium-denuded aortic rings, an action that was abolished by VDCC blockers nifedipine (1 microM) and diltiazem (1 microM), or by withdrawal of extracellular Ca(2+). Our data suggest complex effects of anethole on isolated blood vessels, inducing contraction at lower doses, mediated via opening of voltage-dependent Ca(2+)-channels, and relaxant effects at higher concentrations that are shared by structural analogues.     

Interaction between 2-chloroadenosine and alpha-adrenoceptors in rat vas deferens

The effect of 2-chloroadenosine (2CA) on the binding of alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor ligands in the rat vas deferens was investigated. In homogenates of vas deferens, 2CA (10(5)M) increased 3H-clonidine maximal binding sites from an undetectable level to 0.71 +/- 0.08 pmol/g. wet weight or 10.1 +/- 1.1 fmol/mg protein (N=12). This effect lasted for at least 5 hours after removal of 2CA. Concurrent addition of 1.25 mM theophylline completely abolished the effect of 2CA. A similar effect of 2CA on 3H-clonidine binding was observed following incubation of intact tissues with 2CA prior to homogenization. The effect of 2CA were similar in potency in the homogenate to that in the intact organ, suggesting that 2CA-sensitive sites are located on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. The binding of 3H-prazosin was not influenced by the presence of 10(-5)M 2CA. Contractions of isolated vasa deferentia induced by norepinephrine and phenylephrine were not changed by 10(-5)M 2CA, but the inhibition by clonidine of contractions induced by electric stimulation was enhanced by preincubation for 30 min with 10(-5)M 2CA. The results suggest that 2CA increases the number of available alpha 2-adrenoceptors and this interactions occurs, at least in part, presynaptically.     

Evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of stansin 6, a resin glycoside from Ipomoea stans

Stansin 6 a tetrasaccharide resin glycoside isolated from the root of Ipomoea stans was evaluated as anticonvulsant and neuroprotective in kainic acid-induced seizures of rats. Intraperitoneal injection of kainic acid (10 mg/kg) induced typical behavioral seizures such as wet dog shakes and limbic seizures, and histopathological changes in the hippocampus (degeneration and loss of pyramidal cells in CA1 to CA4 areas). Stansin 6 (10–80 mg/kg) had no effect on the behavior of rats and did not induce hippocampal damage. Pretreatment with stansin 6 inhibited convulsions in rats from kainic acid-induced seizures, reduced the degeneration pattern in the CA3 region, decreased astrocytic reactivity, and reduced the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α induced by kainic acid. These results suggest that stansin 6 possesses neuroprotective and anticonvulsant activities.     

Bifemelane induces translocation of protein kinase C in the CA3, but not the CA1, region of guinea-pig hippocampus

We made use of the [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding assay to investigate the effects of bifemelane on the subcellular distribution of protein kinase C in the CA3 and CA1 regions of guinea-pig hippocampal slices. Bifemelane, a drug that augments the long-term potentiation in the CA3 region, significantly induced the translocation of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding activity from the cytosol to the membrane in a dose-dependent manner (10(-8) to 10(-6) M) and with no effects on total binding activity in the CA3 region. Bifemelane, at a concentration of 10(-6) M, was without effect on the subcellular distribution of [3H]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate binding activity in the CA1 region. These observations suggest that bifemelane acts directly on the hippocampus to induce translocation of protein kinase C in the CA3 region. Such an effect may be associated with the bifemelane-induced augmentation of the long-term potentiation in this region of the brain.     

Uptake and release of kyotorphin in rat brain synaptosomes

Uptake and release of kyotorphin (TyrArg) in rat brain synaptosomes were studied. Synthetic kyotorphin was taken up into crude synaptosomes (P₂), in a temperature-dependent manner. The Km and Vmax of the uptake were 1.31 ± 0.12 × 10⁻⁴M and 5.9 ± 0.5 pmol/mg protein/min, respectively. Metabolic inhibitors such as dinitrophenol and iodoacetamide and ouabain which is known as an inhibitor of Na⁺ dependent uptake mechanism significantly inhibited the uptake. When the synaptosomes previously preloaded with synthetic kyotorphin at 10⁻⁴M were exposed to high K⁺ medium, kyotorphin was released in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner. These findings support the view that kyotorphin plays a role as neurotransmitter/neuroregulator.     

The effect of neuropeptides kyotorphin and neokyotorphin on proliferation of cultured brown preadipocytes

Stimulation of DNA and protein synthesis in brown preadipocytes by 1 μM neokyotorphin in serum-containing media was comparable with the effect of 1 μM norepinephrine. In serum-free medium a decrease and a shift of the maximal effect to lower concentration of neokyotorphin were observed. Kyotorphin had no effect on cell proliferation in either medium; however, 0.01–1 μM kyotorphin inhibited the cell proliferation stimulated by 1 μM norepinephrine. Norepinephrine and both peptides stimulated comparable Ca²⁺ rise in freshly isolated brown preadipocytes. The effects of neokyotorphin and norepinephrine were additive, whereas 0.03–0.3 μM kyotorphin blocked the action of 3 μM norepinephrine. The peptides did not affect the cAMP level in non-stimulated or norepinephrine-stimulated cultured cells. The effects of the peptides on the brown fat cell cultures indicate that peripheral tissue cells contain receptors for these neuropeptides.     

Role of intracellular Ca2+ in endothelium-dependent contraction and relaxation of rabbit intrapulmonary arteries

We examined whether Ca(2+) mobilizers induce endothelium-dependent contraction and relaxation (EDC and EDR) in isolated rabbit intrapulmonary arteries. Ionomycin (10(-7) M) and A-23187 (10(-7) M), both Ca(2+) ionophores, and thapsigargin (10(-6) M), an endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, caused a contraction in the non-contracted preparations, and a transient relaxation followed by a transient contraction and sustained relaxation in the precontracted preparations. Endothelium-removal abolished the contraction and transient relaxation (EDC and EDR) but not sustained relaxation (endothelium-independent relaxation, EIR). In the noncontracted preparations, ionomycin-induced EDC was significantly attenuated by quinacrine (10(-5) M), manoalide (10(-6) M), both phospholipase A(2) inhibitors, indomethacin (10(-5) M) and aspirin (10(-4) M), both COX inhibitors, and ozagrel (10(-5) M), a TXA(2) synthetase inhibitor. In the precontracted arteries, EDR was markedly reduced by L-NAME (10(-4) M), a NOS inhibitor, and methylene blue (10(-6) M), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, and was enhanced by indomethacin, aspirin and ozagrel, probably due to inhibition of EDC. ZM230487, a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, had no effect on EDR. EIR was not affected by L-NAME, indomethacin or ZM230487. Arachidonic acid (10(-6) M) evoked EDC sensitive to indomethacin and ozagrel. L-Arginine (10(-3) M) caused EDR sensitive to L-NAME in the ionomycin-stimulated preparations. In conclusion, Ca(2+) mobilizers cause EDC and EDR via production of TXA(2) and NO, respectively.     

In vivo activity of lymphokine-activated macrophages in host defense against neoplasia

Purified splenic macrophage (M phi) from normal DBA/2J mice and mice bearing P815 tumors were examined for responsiveness to lymphokine (LK) preparations containing high concentrations of IFN-gamma. For both normal and tumor-bearing M phi, LK treatment induced morphologic changes and increased the percentage of Ia+ cells from 35 to 55%. Although neither population exhibited spontaneous cytotoxicity toward P815 targets, LK treatment induced considerable tumoricidal activity in tumor-bearing M phi (32 to 80% lysis) but only minimal activity in normal M phi (8 to 17% lysis). Subcutaneous injection of 1 X 10(6)P815 cells into DBA/2J led to progressive tumor growth and death of 100% of the recipients after 27 +/- 3 days. Injection of a 1:18 mixture of P815 with either LK-activated normal or tumor-bearing M phi caused tumor regression after 10 days, and prolonged life until 43 +/- 4 days with tumor-bearing M phi and 39 +/- 3 days with normal M phi. Untreated normal or tumor-bearing M phi were unable to cause the effect (30 +/- 2 days), and lymphocytes could not be substituted for M phi (25 +/- 3 days). In x-irradiated recipients, no effect of LK-activated M phi could be observed (control = 19 +/- 2 days; LK-activated tumor-bearing M phi = 21 +/- 3 days). In addition, administration of an admixture of LK-treated M phi and x-rayed tumor before challenge with viable P815 enabled the recipient to inhibit tumor growth and caused tumor necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration of the tumor. These observations suggest that, in part, LK-activated M phi may interact in vivo with host-derived cellular components and enhance the immune reactivity of the host against the tumor.     

Galanin potentiates electrical stimulation and exogenous norepinephrine-induced contractions in the rat vas deferens

In order to evaluate the mode of action of galanin (GAL) on the neuroeffector mechanism of peripheral sympathetic nerve fibers, the effects of this peptide were tested on the electrical stimulated and the unstimulated preparations of the isolated rat vas deferens in the presence of 10(-7) M atropine. The contractile responses, which were mediated predominantly by activation of postganglionic noradrenergic nerve fibers were dose-dependently potentiated by GAL in concentrations ranging from 1 to 50 nM. The facilitatory action induced by GAL in high concentrations (greater than 10 nM) usually returned to the control level at 2-3 min and were tachyphylactic. The potentiating action of GAL was not modified by pretreatment with 10(-7) M propranolol. Contractions produced by exogenous norepinephrine (NE) in the unstimulated preparations were not affected by pretreatment with low concentrations (less than 5 nM) of GAL. On the other hand, the contractions were dose-dependently potentiated 1 min after pretreatment with higher concentrations (greater than 10 nM) of GAL, which recovered 15 min after constant flow washout. Contractions developed by exogenous 5-hydroxytryptamine were not affected, or slightly inhibited, by GAL (1-50 nM). In some preparations without electrical stimulation, high concentrations of GAL caused a slight contraction, which was not blocked by pretreatment with 10(-6) M phentolamine and 10(-6) M tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that GAL receptors exist presynaptically in the rat vas deferens and that stimulation of the receptors by GAL potentiates the release of NE from the nerve terminals during postganglionic sympathetic nerve stimulation. Other mechanisms for GAL action, such as influence on neuronal uptake and catecholamine metabolism, cannot be ruled out.     

Fluid production by in vitro lungs from fetal guinea pigs

Lungs from fetal guinea pigs (54-67 days of gestation) were supported in vitro, and lung liquid secretion rates were measured by a dye-dilution technique. The average secretion rate in the first hour was 2.14 +/- 0.08 (SE) mL x kg-1 body weight.h-1 (0.21 +/- 0.01 mL/h) (n = 450); this was comparable to intact preparations. In an independent study of 30 lungs, secretion continued unchanged for 3 h, with no significant change in fluid composition. Between 54 days and term, production appeared to fall in terms of millilitres per kilogram per hour. The following agents were placed in the supporting saline during the middle hour of incubation. (i) Sodium iodoacetate: at 10(-4) M this produced a fall in secretion (fall, succeeding hours; 55.4 +/- 23.0 and 64.9 +/- 17.5%; n = 6); at 10(-3) M it stopped secretion (fall, succeeding hours; 87.2 +/- 10.3 and 100%, n = 6). (ii) Ouabain: at 10(-5) M there was no change in production (n = 6); at 10(-4) M, four preparations were unaffected, two reduced production. (iii) Epinephrine (10(-7) M) produced a significant fall in production in all cases (n = 6); in four preparations secretion reduced (average fall, 64.4 +/- 10.8%); in two preparations there was reabsorption (average rate, -1.03 mL.kg-1.h-1). This extends the effect of epinephrine to the guinea pig, and suggests that the in vitro preparation is a useful model for studies of the fetal lung.     

Muscarinic regulation of neonatal rat bladder spontaneous contractions

In vitro preparations of whole urinary bladders of neonatal rats exhibit prominent myogenic spontaneous contractions, the amplitude and frequency of which can be increased by muscarinic agonists. The muscarinic receptor subtype responsible for this facilitation was examined in the present experiments. Basal spontaneous contractions in bladders from 1- to 2-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were not affected by M2 or M3 receptor antagonists. However, administration of 0.5 microM physostigmine, an anticholinesterase agent that increases the levels of endogenous acetylcholine, or 50-100 nM carbachol, a cholinergic agonist at low concentrations, which did not cause tonic contractions, significantly augmented the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous contractions. Blockade of M2 receptors with 0.1 microM AF-DX 116 or 1 microM methoctramine or blockade of M3 receptors with 50 nM 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide or 0.1 microM 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-(2-chloroethyl)piperidine hydrochloride (4-DAMP mustard) reversed the physostigmine and carbachol responses. M2 and M3 receptor blockade did not alter the facilitation of spontaneous contractions induced by 10 nM BAY K 8644, an L-type Ca2+ channel opener, or 0.1 microM iberiotoxin, a large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel blocker. NS-1619 (30 microM), a large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel opener, decreased carbachol-augmented spontaneous contractions. These results suggest that spontaneous contractions in the neonatal rat bladder are enhanced by activation of M2 and M3 receptors by endogenous acetylcholine released in the presence of an anticholinesterase agent or a cholinergic receptor agonist.