title: Effects of K(+)-free solution of contractile responses of rat vas deferens.
abstract: The effect of K(+)-free solution as well as its modulatory effect on neurogenic and agonist-induced contractile responses in rat vas deferens were investigated in the present study. Isolated rat vas deferens, normally a quiescent smooth muscle, developed spontaneous contractions on exposure to K(+)-free solution which was not affected by tetrodotoxin (3 x 10(-7) mol/l) or prazosin (10(-6) mol/l) but was abolished in Ca(2+)-free medium. Transmural field stimulus (3-30 Hz; 0.5 ms duration; supramaximal voltage; 10 s) induced biphasic responses, consisting of fast and slow components, were markedly inhibited in K(+)-free medium and were restored on readdition of K+ to the medium. Similarly, the twitch responses at 0.1 Hz were also inhibited in K(+)-free solution. In the absence of K+, the sensitivity of the tissues to noradrenaline (10(-6) to 10(-4) mol/l) and ATP (10(-4) mol/l) was not significantly altered. The observations made in the present study suggest that spontaneous contractions induced by K(+)-free solution are myogenic in origin and are dependent on extracellular Ca2+. Selective inhibition of neurogenic responses in K(+)-free medium without any significant effect on exogenous noradrenaline and ATP is suggestive of the involvement of prejunctional inhibition of neurotransmitter release.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raviprakash
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mishra
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000502:physiology*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D013779:Tetrodotoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014649:Vas Deferens
chemical_list: D013779:Tetrodotoxin; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine; D011224:Prazosin