GABAA and GABAB receptors modulate the K(+)-evoked release of sensory CGRP from the guinea pig urinary bladder

Superfusion of mucosa-free muscle slices of guinea-pig urinary bladder with 40 mM K+ produced a remarkable increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-LI), that in this organ is entirely contained in capsaicin-sensitive nerves. GABA (1 mM) did neither affect the basal nor the 40 mM K+ evoked CGRP-LI release. Baclofen (0.1 mM) or muscimol (1 mM) did not affect the basal CGRP-LI outflow. However, baclofen (0.1 mM) significantly reduced by 32% and muscimol (0.1-1 mM) significantly increased by 60% and 70%, respectively the K(+)-evoked CGRP-LI release. These findings add neurochemical evidence to the functional data suggesting the existence of GABAA and GABAB receptors which modulate the efferent function of capsaicin-sensitive afferents.