Pharmacological characterization of the excitatory innervation to the guinea-pig urinary bladder in vitro: evidence for both cholinergic and non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic neurotransmission

Br J Pharmacol. 1981 Sep;74(1):15-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1981.tb09950.x.

Abstract

1 Field stimulation of strips of guinea-pig isolated urinary bladder with 5 s trains at 0.1 to 15 Hz resulted in frequency-dependent, reproducible contractions. 2 At concentrations of 1 and 4 x 10(-7) M and 1 x 10(-6) M, atropine produced a variable, partial inhibition of contractions at all frequencies but was most effective at frequencies of 3 Hz or more. 3 Tetrodotoxin (TTX), 5 x 10(-7) M, inhibited contractions at all frequencies by 80 to 90%. 4 Physostigmine, 2 x 10(-6) M, significantly enhanced the contractile response to frequencies of less than 10 Hz but did not enhance responses resistant to inhibition by atropine. Hexamethonium, 1 x 10(-4) M, slightly enhanced the contractile response to frequencies of 4 Hz or greater. 5 (+/-)-Propranolol (5 x 10(-6)M), guanethidine (1 x 10(-6)M), phentolamine (5 x 10(-6)M) and clonidine (3 x 10(-8)M) each enhanced the contractile response to field stimulation. 6 Contractile responses obtained in the presence of atropine (4 x 10(-7) M) and guanethidine (1 x 10(-6) M) increased with time and were inhibited 60 to 80% by TTX (5 x 10(-7)M. 7 It is concluded that the cholinergic nervous system contributes, in part, to electrically-induced excitatory contractions of the isolated urinary bladder of the guinea-pig. Concomitant sympathetic stimulation appears to serve an inhibitory role. In addition, a major portion of the contractile response appears to be due to a non-cholinergic non-adrenergic, as yet unidentified, substance.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atropine / pharmacology
  • Drug Interactions
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hexamethonium Compounds / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System / drug effects
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System / physiology*
  • Physostigmine / pharmacology
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects*
  • Tetrodotoxin / pharmacology
  • Urinary Bladder / innervation*

Substances

  • Hexamethonium Compounds
  • Tetrodotoxin
  • Atropine
  • Physostigmine