Neurotransmitter feedback is not important in modulating the noradrenergic component of responses of rat vas deferens to twin pulse electrical field stimulation.
1. Drug effects on the full time-course of tension responses of the rat vas deferens to challenges of twin pulse field stimulation (TPFS) were examined. A microprocessor-controlled system was used to regulate stimulus delivery, on-line data collection and subsequent data analysis. 2. The second, noradrenergic phase of the response to the second stimulus of TPFS was missing when the interpulse interval was set at 3 s but was progressively restored as the interpulse interval was extended to 120 s. 3. With a 3 s interpulse interval, the missing second phase of the response to the second stimulus was not restored by the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists yohimbine, imiloxan or idazoxan, indicative that alpha 2-adrenoceptor-mediated feedback inhibition of noradrenaline release is not the predominant mechanism modulating this response component. 4. Incubation with the P1-purinoceptor antagonist 8-phenyl-theophylline also failed to restore the missing noradrenergic component in the response to the second stimulus of TPFS. 5. Nevertheless, both responses to TPFS were impaired by the selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine and by the P1-purinoceptor agonist 2-chloroadenosine, indicating the presence of functional presynaptic receptors of both types. These agonist-induced inhibitory effects were readily reversed by those antagonists which had failed to restore the missing noradrenergic component in the second response to TPFS.
Mallard
N J
NJ
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Wales College of Medicine, Health Park, Cardiff, UK.
Marshall
R W
RW
Spriggs
T L
TL
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005246:Feedback / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000502:physiology*; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic / Q000502:physiology; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D009638:Norepinephrine