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E E Daniel

Publications and source records attributed to E E Daniel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Physiology and pathophysiology of the interstitial cell of Cajal: from bench to bedside. III. Interaction of interstitial cells of Cajal with neuromediators: an interim assessment.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) control gastrointestinal motility; some pace slow waves and others act in enteric neurotransmission. This review asks the question, does either class of ICC receive and respond to messages carried by neuromediators from these nerves? Relevant evidence includes the presence of receptors or responses to exogenous neuromediators and responses to endogenous neuromediators. Some pacemaking ICC networks have receptors for or respond to some exogenous neuromediators. None is known to respond to endogenous neuromediators. Intramuscular ICC have receptors for and respond to some neuromediators and are required in mice for responses to the exogenous and endogenous neuromediators nitric oxide and acetylcholine. The mechanisms underlying this requirement remain unclear. ICC pathologies exist, but their origins are unknown.

Acetylcholine↗

Vasorelaxant effects of pramanicin, an anti-fungal agent: selective action on endothelial cells.

A newly discovered antifungal agent, pramanicin, within the therapeutically effective concentration range (4-100 microM), inhibits the tone of phenylephrine (PE)-precontracted dog carotid arterial rings in a concentration-dependent manner and leads to gradual development of relaxation. However, pramanicin had no effect on rings precontracted with 100 mM KCl or on endothelium-denuded rings. Thus, inhibition by pramanicin of PE-induced contraction was endothelium-dependent. Preincubation of 100 microM pramanicin with carotid arterial rings for 30 min did not significantly affect the concentration-contraction response to PE, but almost completely inhibited the endothelium-dependent relaxation response to subsequent addition of 3 microM carbachol or 100 microM pramanicin. This irreversible inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation, which is independent of extracellular Ca2+, suggests possible endothelial cell damage by pramanicin. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact vascular rings with L-N(G)-nitro-arginine (100 microM) inhibited the relaxation of PE-precontracted rings induced by 3 microM carbachol or 100 microM pramanicin, suggesting that the generation of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells mediates the slow vascular relaxation induced by pramanicin. We conclude that pramanicin has little direct effect on the contractility of smooth muscle cells, but causes an initial slow endothelium-dependent, NO-mediated vascular relaxation. This is followed by a cytotoxic effect on vascular endothelial cells, eventually resulting in the loss of vasorelaxant function.

Animals↗

Actions of putative chloride channel blocking agents on canine lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Niflumic acid (NA), a putative Cl(-)-channel blocker, has provided pharmacological evidence that Cl(-)-channel closures mediate hyperpolarization caused by NO in gastrointestinal smooth muscle. However, NA caused concentration-dependent relaxation of canine lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and failed to inhibit NO-mediated relaxations. DIDS also did not inhibit NO-mediated relaxations, but did abolish them when present with 20 mM TEA (tetraethyl ammonium ion), which was also ineffective alone. TEA reversed NA-induced relaxations, but with NA it did not inhibit NO-mediated relaxations. We investigated the modes of action of these agents further. Neither nerve-function block nor block of NOS activity affected the inhibition of LES tone by NA. In patch-clamp studies, NA increased outward currents from -30 to + 90 mV when [Ca2+]pipette was 50 nM. This was prevented by 20 mM TEA, but not by prior inhibition of NOS. At 200 nM [Ca2+]pipette, TEA markedly reduced outward currents, but did not prevent the increase from subsequent NA. In contrast, under similar conditions, application of DIDS after 20 mM TEA further reduced outward currents. When the patch pipette contained CsCl and TEA to block K+ currents, NA had no significant effect on currents between -50 and +90 mV. Thus, NA acted by opening K+ channels: some TEA-sensitive and some not. It had no detectable effect on currents when K+ channels were blocked. We conclude that NA is an unreliable pharmacological tool to evaluate Cl(-)-channel contributions to smooth muscle function. DIDS did not open K+ channels. Decreases in outward currents from DIDS may result from inhibition of K+ currents or currents carried by Cl- at depolarized membrane potentials.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Arginosuccinate synthetase, arginosuccinate lyase and NOS in canine gastrointestinal tract: immunocytochemical studies.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) requires the substrate L-arginine for NO production to support multiple gastrointestinal functions. We asked, 'Where do enzymes to regenerate L-arginine from L-citrulline exist?'. We examined loci of immunoreactivities in the canine gastrointestinal tract for arginosuccinate synthetase and arginosuccinate lyase, enzymes that resynthesize L-arginine from L-citrulline, in relation to the distribution of nNOS immunoreactivity or NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry. Arginosuccinate synthetase and lyase were present in many neurones and nerve fibres in the myenteric plexus of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), antrum, pylorus, ileum and colon; in the submucosal plexus of ileum and colon; in longitudinal muscle of ileum and colon; and in nerve bundles in circular muscle everywhere. LOS muscle was also immunoreactive for both enzymes. Circular and longitudinal muscle cells of the ileum and colon and cells resembling interstitial cells of Cajal in the deep muscular plexus of the ileum and the submuscular plexus of the colon also appeared immunoreactive. In neurones, arginosuccinate synthetase and nNOS were usually co-localized. NADPH diaphorase activity was present in LOS and likely in pylorus, but not in muscularis externa of ileum or colon. We conclude that resynthesis of L-arginine probably occurs in enteric nerves, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and LOS muscle; also apparently in some cells without NOS to utilize it.

Animals↗

Caveolae from canine airway smooth muscle contain the necessary components for a role in Ca(2+) handling.

To explain that bronchial smooth muscle undergoes sustained agonist-induced contractions in a Ca(2+)-free medium, we hypothesized that caveolae in the plasma membrane (PM) contain protected Ca(2+). We isolated caveolae from canine tracheal smooth muscle by detergent treatment of PM-derived microsomes. Detergent-resistant membranes were enriched in caveolin-1, a specific marker for caveolae as well as for L-type Ca(2+) channels and Ca(2+) binding proteins (calsequestrin and calreticulin) as determined by Western blotting. Also, the PM Ca(2+) pump was present but not connexin 43 (a noncaveolae PM protein), the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) pump, or the type 1 inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate receptor, supporting the idea that SR-derived membranes were not present. Antibodies to caveolin coimmunoprecipitated caveolin with calsequestrin or calreticulin. Thus some of the cellular calsequestrin and calreticulin associated with caveolin on the cytoplasmic face of each caveola. Immunohistochemistry of tracheal smooth muscle crysosections confirmed the localization of caveolin and the PM Ca(2+) pump to the cell periphery, whereas the SR Ca(2+) pump was located deeper in the cell. The presence of L-type Ca(2+) channels, the PM Ca(2+) pump, and the Ca(2+) bindng proteins calsequestrin and calreticulin in caveolin-enriched membranes supports caveola involvement in airway smooth muscle Ca(2+) handling.

Animals↗

Nitric oxide from enteric nerves acts by a different mechanism from myogenic nitric oxide in canine lower esophageal sphincter.

In canine lower esophageal sphincter, myogenic constitutive nitric-oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) in plasma membrane limits tone by opening large conductance Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels (BK(Ca) channels) and hyperpolarizing the membrane. We examined whether K(V) channels were involved and whether NO from enteric nerves and from NO donors used the same mechanisms. With nerves inactive, 100 nM iberiotoxin, like N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG), increased tone but less. 4-Aminopyridine (4-AP) at 5 mM behaved similarly. Tetraethyl ammonium (TEA) at 20 mM equaled the effect of L-NOARG and occluded any tone increase from any combination of these agents. More than iberiotoxin or 4-AP, TEA decreased relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (Sin-1) by approximately 50%. In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, TEA and 4-AP reduced outward K(+) currents additively by >90% at depolarization of +90 mV. Thus, K(+) channels in addition to BK(Ca) channels are opened by myogenic NO, and exogenous NO had relaxing effects both related and unrelated to K(+) channel openings. TEA (20 mM) increased tone but did not inhibit relaxations to electrical field stimulation (EFS) of enteric nerves. 4-AP relaxed tone, an effect that was abolished and reversed by L-NOARG. 4-AP apparently released NO and acetylcholine from nerves. The putative Cl(-) channel blocker niflumic acid (NFA; 30-100 microM) dose dependently reduced tone, but tone, restored by 10(-6) M carbachol or 20 mM TEA, was still relaxed by EFS and by SNP. 4,4'-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) at 500 to 1000 microM did not inhibit relaxation to EFS or SNP. The addition of TEA (20 mM) to DIDS (1000 microM) induced tonic and phasic activity and markedly inhibited relaxations to EFS. DIDS plus TEA reduced the relaxations to SNP like TEA alone. Reduction in extracellular ¿Cl(-) by isethionate substitution reduced tone but did not reduce relaxations when tone was restored. The combination of reduced extracellular ¿Cl(-) and TEA did not abolish relaxation to EFS until DIDS was added. Thus, multiple K(+) channels are opened by myogenic NO, and openings of these channels, as well as DIDS-sensitive, undefined mechanisms, are induced when NO is released from nerves or SNP.

4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid↗

Block of inwardly rectifying K+ currents by extracellular Mg2+ and Ba2+ in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Using whole-cell patch clamp technique, we investigated the blocking effects of extracellular Ba2+ and Mg2+ on the inwardly rectifying K+ (KIR) currents of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC). The BPAEC KIR channel has recently been identified as Kir2.1 of the Kir2.0 subfamily. Block of KIR currents by Mg2+ (3-30 mM) was instantaneous, and increased with hyperpolarization slightly (Kd at -160 and 0 mV was 9.5 and 23.2 mM, respectively). The apparent fractional electrical distance (delta) of the Mg2+ binding site is calculated to be 0.07 from the outer mouth of the channel pore. Ba2+ (0.3-10 microM) time-dependently blocked the KIR currents with a much higher potency and stronger voltage-dependence (Kd at -160 and 0 mV was 1.0 and 41.6 microM, respectively). The Ba2+ binding site had a delta value of 0.34. Our data suggest that Mg2+ binds to a very superficial site of the KIR channel, while Ba2+ binds to a much deeper site, sensing much more of the membrane electric field. Thus, the BPAEC Kir2.1 appears to be pharmacologically different from the Kir2.1 reported before in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC), which has 2 sites for Mg2+ block (a deep site in addition to a shallow one), and a superficial and low-sensitivity site for Ba2+ block.

Animals↗

Gap junctions in intestinal smooth muscle and interstitial cells of Cajal.

This manuscript reviews gap junctions' roles in control of intestinal motility. Gap junctions (GJs) of small intestine (SmIn) are found between circular muscle (CM) cells, between interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) of deep muscular plexus (DMP) and between them and adjacent outer circular muscle (OCM). GJs between longitudinal muscle (LM) cells or between cells of inner circular muscle (ICM) have not been reported. Occasional GJs have been reported between ICC of the myenteric plexus (MyP) and rarely between these ICC and adjacent LM or CM cells, or between ICC within CM and smooth muscle cells. In the colon (Co) of several species a special network of ICC lines the inner border of CM, the submuscular plexus (SP). GJs are found between ICCs and between them and CM cells. The ICC of MyP of Co are associated with LM and CM; occasional GJs exist between ICC and each muscle layer. Small GJs are missed by electron microscopy or light microscopic Immunocytochemistry. Therefore, GJ coupling may exist without demonstrated GJs. The consequences for the pacemaking functions of ICC networks of varied densities of GJ between ICC and between ICC of MyP or DMP or of SP and CM are considered. Connexins (Cxs) that compose intestinal GJs may affect coupling, but are incompletely known. Understanding of the role of GJs in coordinating intestinal motility requires knowing: (1) what passes through gap junctions to couple ICC to smooth muscle cells; (2) what Cx with what conductances and what modulatory controls connect ICC and smooth muscle cells; (3) whether smooth muscles can generate slow waves independent of ICC networks; and (4) what happens to motility, slow waves, and IJPs when GJs are selectively uncoupled.

Animals↗

Activation of outward K+ currents: effect of VIP in oesophagus.

1. Electrical field stimulations (EFS) of the opossum and canine lower oesophageal sphincters (OLOS and CLOS respectively) and opossum oesophageal body circular muscle (OOBCM) induce non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) relaxations of any active tension and NO-mediated hyperpolarization. VIP relaxes the OLOS and CLOS and any tone in OOBCM without major electrophysiological effects. These relaxations are not blocked by NOS inhibitors. Using isolated smooth muscle cells, we tested whether VIP acted through myogenic NO production. 2. Outward currents were similar in OOBCM and OLOS and NO increased them regardless of pipette Ca2+(i), from 50-8000 nM. L-NAME or L-NOARG did not block outward currents in OLOS at 200 nM pipette Ca2+. 3. Outward currents in CLOS cells decreased at 200 nM pipette Ca2+ or less but NO donors still increased them. VIP had no effect on outward currents in cells from OOBCM, OLOS or CLOS under conditions of pipette Ca2+ at which NO donors increased outward K+ currents. 4. We conclude, VIP does not mimic electrophysiological effects of NO donors on isolated cells of OOBCM, OLOS or CLOS. VIP relaxes the OLOS and CLOS and inhibits contraction of OOBCM by a mechanism unrelated to release of myogenic NO or an increase in outward current. 5. Also, the different dependence of outward currents of OOBCM and OLOS on pipette Ca2+ from those of CLOS suggests that different K+ channels are involved and that myogenic NO production contributes to K+ channel activity in CLOS but not in OLOS or OOBCM.

Animals↗

Control systems of gastrointestinal motility are immature at birth in dogs.

Networks of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in the myenteric plexus (Myp) or circular muscle (CM) function as pacemakers for gastrointestinal slow waves. ICC in contact with muscle and closely associated with nerves in the CM may mediate inhibitory neurotransmission. We wondered if ICC in Myp and CM and their connections are immature at birth and mature first in the proximal gut in association with nerves. Tissues from lower esophageal sphincter (LES), pylorus (PYL), small intestine (SI) and colon (CO) of 18 term fetal dogs taken from six females were fixed and prepared for ultrastructural examination and studied. Ganglia were present where expected in the Myp and submucous plexus (SMP). ICC cells were present in the Myp of PYL, SI and CO and appeared to have normal relationships to the outer border of CM as in adults. ICC in CM were found associated with nerves in the LES and in PYL, but not in SI or CO. However, axons in CM were everywhere usually free of glial covering, indicating ongoing migration or development. No organized deep muscular plexus (DMP) in SI or submuscular plexus (SP) in colon was present. Visible gap junctions were absent everywhere except for very rare ones between circular muscle cells. We conclude that at birth the neural and ICC networks of CM are more immature in intestine and colon than in oesophagus and stomach. Development of nerve and ICC of CM in oesophagus and stomach apparently precedes that in the remaining gut. However networks in these regions have not achieved adult organization and ICC and smooth muscle cells are anatomically poorly coupled. These findings suggest the reasons that gut motility at birth will not be adult in pattern are because ICC, nerve and muscle control systems are not fully differentiated. Further developmental delays in ICC and nerve maturation could have serious consequences for feeding of infant animals.

Animals↗

Slow waves in circular muscle of porcine ileum: structural and electrophysiological studies.

The structural and functional bases of pacemaking (slow waves) in porcine ileal circular muscle were studied. The myenteric plexus contained two, structurally distinct types of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) interconnected by gap junctions and connected by close contacts to muscle layers. At the deep muscular plexus, ICC were present, not regularly close to nerve axons or in gap junction contact with one another or outer circular muscle, which had many gap junctions. Slow waves (5.2 +/- 2 mV amplitude and 4.6 +/- 0.7 s duration) occurred at 9.9 +/- 1.1 counts/min. Tissue length and time constants were 2.00 +/- 0.3 mm and 111 +/- 37 ms, respectively. Large electrical field-induced hyperpolarizations or depolarizations reduced amplitudes but not frequencies or durations of slow waves; hyperpolarizations progressively reduced inhibitory junction potentials as if the K+ channel opening mediated them. In conclusion, the myenteric plexus ICC of pig ileum, which appears to pace the muscle layers, appears insensitive to voltages applied to the syncytium of circular muscle cells. Limited coupling between ICC and circular muscle or voltage-insensitive pacemaking activity may explain these findings.

Animals↗

Relationship between intracellular Ca2+ store and protein kinase C in agonist-induced contraction of hypertensive rat aortae.

The roles of intracellular Ca2+ store and protein kinase C (PKC) in vascular contractile responses independent of Ca2+ influx were studied using aortic rings from spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY). The functional sizes of agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ store were estimated as the peak response to agonist after PKC inhibition with calphostin C (Cal-C), a PKC inhibitor. The participation of PKC in 5-hydroxytryptamine-, phenylephrine-, and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contractions in aortae of SHR was equal to, or greater than that in WKY. In contrast, compared with WKY, SHR aortae possessed a greater size of endothelin-1-sensitive Ca2+ store, a similar size of 5-hydroxytryptamine-sensitive Ca2+ store, and a smaller size of phenylephrine sensitive Ca2+ store. Based on these data, both PKC activation and functional size of intracellular Ca2+ store differ between SHR and WKY and these differences are selective among agosists.

Animals↗

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide as a neurotransmitter in the canine ileal circular muscle.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP)1-27, PACAP1-38, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) initiated dose-dependent contractions of canine ileal circular muscle after intra-arterial injection in vivo or ex vivo. PACAP1-27- and VIP-induced contractions approached the tissue maximum; VIP was 100-fold less potent. PACAP1-38 was more potent than VIP. PACAP1-27 contractions in vivo were unaffected by hexamethonium, reduced equally by atropine or atropine plus hexamethonium, and abolished by tetrodotoxin (TTX), suggesting that PACAP released acetylcholine and another excitatory neurotransmitter from postganglionic cholinergic enteric nerves. In myenteric plexus-free circular muscle strips, PACAP1-27 at 10(-9) M and PACAP1-38 or VIP at 10(-7) M increased [3H]acetylcholine release during nerve stimulation, suggesting the locus of one postganglionic site at which PACAP1-27 acts. All agonists inhibited nerve-mediated contractions in vivo with a potency rank order similar to that for excitation. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthetase or TTX decreased the duration and amplitude of PACAP1-27- but not PACAP1-38-induced inhibition. Inhibition of NO synthetase abolished VIP-induced inhibition, but TTX did not. Submaximal contractions to acetylcholine were amplified by PACAP1-27 or VIP before TTX and inhibited after TTX. Thus, both PACAP molecules and VIP directly inhibit and indirectly excite smooth muscle contractions. PACAP1-27 and VIP also release NO. The functional potency differences between PACAP1-27 and VIP suggest PAC1 receptors mediate all responses, likely through the stimulation of adenylate cyclase.

Acetylcholine↗

Alpha-adrenoceptors in canine mesenteric artery are predominantly 1A subtype: pharmacological and immunochemical evidence.

We wanted to determine which alpha-adrenoceptor subtypes mediate phenylephrine (PE) contraction of dog mesenteric artery in vitro. We studied antagonisms in response to prazosin, 2-(2, 6-dimethoxyphenoxyethyl)-aminomethyl-1,4-benzodioxane, 5-methylurapidil, N-[2-(2-cyclopropyl methoxy phenoxy)ethyl]5-chloro-alpha,alpha-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamine HCl (RS 17053), 8-3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propylcarbamoyl)-3-methyl-4 -oxo-22-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran 2HCl [SB216469 (Rec 15/2739)], BMY 7378, 8-[2-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethylamino)ethyl]8-azaspirol++ + [4,5]decane-7,9-dione HCl, MDL 72832, and 7-chloro-2-bromo-3,4,5, 6-tetrahydro-4-methylfurol[4,3,2-ef]3-benzapine. pK(B) values for prazosin, 5-methylurapidil, MDL 72832, and RS-17053 were consistent with action on alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors but decreased with concentration. pK(B) values (9.6) for Rec 15/2739 (alpha(1L/1A)-adrenoceptor selective) were constant. Antagonism by BMY 7378, 7-chloro-2-bromo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-4-methylfurol[4,3, 2-ef]3-benzapine, and 8-[2-(1, 4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethylamino)ethyl]8-azaspirol[4,5]de cane-7,9-dione HCl gave pK(B) values between those expected for alpha(1A)- and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors. Chloroethylclonidine (100 microM) shifted EC(50) values for PE rightward and decreased E(max) values but left large residual responses. After 100 microM chloroethylclonidine, either BMY 7378 (100 nM) or RS-17053 (300 nM) increased EC(50) values for PE contractions with pK(B) values like those of controls. At 6 nM, phenoxybenzamine increased the EC(50) values and reduced E(max) values; prior Rec 15/2739, but not prior BMY 7378, protected receptors against inactivation. An antibody against the alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors immunostained muscle of aorta but not mesenteric artery. We conclude that dog mesenteric artery contains alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors. Discrepancies among responses expected if only these receptors are present may result from pleiotropic functional effects at this receptor and the presence of alpha(1L)-adrenoceptors.

Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists↗

Insights into the unusual alpha adrenoceptor subtype in dog saphenous vein using phenoxybenzamine.

In the dog saphenous vein (DSV), phenylephrine (PE) responses through alpha-1 adrenoceptors receptors are antagonized by both alpha-1 and alpha-2 receptor antagonists. Furthermore, pretreatment with chloroethylclonidine (CEC) eliminates prazosin binding but reduces rauwolscine binding by half (). In new functional experiments, the effects of preincubation with phenoxybenzamine (PBZ), an irreversible alpha adrenoceptor antagonist, on responses to PE and two selective alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists were evaluated. Also, the ability of prazosin or rauwolscine to prevent irreversible losses of responses to these agonists when coincubated with PBZ was determined. Preincubation in PBZ (10-300 nM) concentration dependently reduced PE Emax and the calculated fraction of residual receptors (q). Preincubation in PBZ (10-300 nM) increased KB values for prazosin (30 and 100 nM) but did not alter the KB value for rauwolscine (50 nM) acting at the residual receptors from control values. Coincubation of PBZ with prazosin partially prevented these PBZ actions (Emax partly restored) on responses to PE, but coincubation of rauwolscine (</=1 microM) with PBZ, did not. Rauwolscine competitively inhibited responses to two alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists (Schild plot pA2 values near 9). Preincubation with PBZ concentrations of >/=300 nM caused >50% reduction in Emax values of responses but did not alter the EC50 values for either agonist. Coincubation of rauwolscine with PBZ protected responses to alpha-2 agonists against PBZ (1 microM) effects. This study shows that PE initiates contractions at atypical alpha-1 adrenoceptors represented by all sites of PE action. Rauwolscine antagonizes PE actions but does not protect against PBZ inactivation. Typical alpha-2 adrenoceptors are distinguished from the unusual alpha-1 adrenoceptors by their lesser sensitivity to PBZ and their protection by rauwolscine from PBZ.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Involvement of different Ca2+ pools during the canine bronchial sustained contraction in Ca2+-free medium: lack of effect of PKC inhibition.

We evaluated the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in the sustained bronchial contraction (SBC) induced by carbachol (Cch) or histamine in a Ca2+-free medium and the possibility that each agonist uses a different Ca2+ store for this response. We studied third-order bronchi and airway smooth muscle (ASM) from first-order bronchi dissected free of cartilage and epithelium. Bronchial and ASM responsiveness to Cch or histamine were evaluated in Krebs solution (2.5 mM Ca2+) and in Ca2+-free medium. Cch and histamine induced an SBC in bronchial tissues in Ca2+-free medium. In ASM each agonist produced a transient contraction, but the response to histamine was much smaller. Cch induced a concentration-dependent accumulation of inositol phosphates (IPs) in both bronchi and ASM; however, histamine did not induce significant accumulation of IPs. Repeated exposure to histamine in bronchial rings abolished contractile responses in Ca2+-free media, but Cch added afterwards still produced a sustained contraction. This response was blocked when bronchial tissues were preincubated with 10 microM cyclopiazonic acid (CPA). Brief incubation of these preparations with a high EGTA concentration (1 mM) abolished the histamine-induced SBC. The SBC induced by Cch or histamine in Ca2+-free medium was not affected by the preincubation of the tissues with calphostin C, chelerythrine or staurosporine. We concluded that Cch mobilizes Ca2+ from two different sources during the SBC in Ca2+-free medium: from a CPA-sensitive one from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and from a putative extracellular membrane Ca2+ pool sensitive to 1 mM EGTA, and neither process involved PKC activation. Histamine appeared to utilize the extracellular membrane pool only.

Animals↗

Colocalization of inhibitory mediators, NO, VIP and galanin, in canine enteric nerves.

The colocalization of three putative inhibitory mediators of enteric nerves, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin (GAL) and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), was examined in the myenteric plexus of canine antrum, intestine and colon. Many ileal and colonic neurons contained nNOS-immunoreactive (nNOS-IR) activity with some also containing VIP-IR; only a few neurons also contained GAL-IR. Ileal and colonic VIP-IR nerves often appeared to be interneurons innervating nNOS nerves. Many antral neurons contained VIP-IR with nearly all also containing GAL-IR. A few also contained nNOS-IR. The predominance of nNOS-IR neurons relative to VIP-IR and GAL-IR neurons in the ileal and colonic, but not the antral, myenteric plexus is consistent with NO being the primary inhibitory mediator in the intestine but not in the antrum.

Animals↗

Effects of GLP-1 on gastric emptying, antropyloric motility, and transpyloric flow in response to a nonnutrient liquid.

Glucagon-like polypeptide 1 (GLP-1) may be a major enterogastrone, slowing gastric emptying when released by intestinal nutrients. In six conscious dogs, we studied the effects of GLP-1, on antropyloric motility, gastric emptying, and transpyloric flow after instillation of 500 ml of saline into the stomach. The meal was given and recordings were started 15 min after intravenous bolus and infusion of either saline or three different doses of GLP-1. Intravenous GLP-1 produced a dose-related retardation of gastric emptying associated with a decrease in the number and volume of flow pulses in comparison to saline. This change in transpyloric flow was associated with an inhibition of antropyloric pressure waves, a stimulation of isolated pyloric pressure waves, and an increase in basal pyloric tone induced by intravenous GLP-1 infusion. Our findings show that GLP-1 has a potent dose-dependent inhibitory effect on transpyloric flow and gastric emptying. This effect is temporally associated with inhibition of antral "pumping" and stimulation of pyloric "braking" mechanisms.

Animals↗