title: Different effects of depolarization and muscarinic stimulation on the Ca2+/force relationship during the contraction-relaxation cycle in the guinea pig ileum.
abstract: The effects of K+ depolarization and of the muscarinic agonist carbachol on [Ca2+]i and force were investigated in smooth muscle sheets of the longitudinal layer of the ileum loaded with Fura-2. K(+)-rich solutions increased [Ca2+]i and force to an initial peak value, which was determined by the concentration of [K+]o. Thereafter, [Ca2+]i and force declined to a lower maintained level. The Ca2+/force relationship observed during this contraction-relaxation cycle is represented by a clockwise hysteresis loop. At 140 mM [K+]o, this loop consisted of three components while at lower [K+]o a two-component loop was observed. The stimulation with 0.1 mM carbachol resulted in a transient increase of [Ca2+]i and force followed by a continuous decline of these parameters despite the presence of the drug. Its EC50 of relaxation was around 270 nM [Ca2+]i. The Ca2+/force relationship proceeded along a counterclockwise hysteresis loop during the contraction-relaxation cycle. The extent of this loop decreased but remained unaltered in its direction during repeated stimulation with carbachol. These results suggest that (a) both agonists increase force and [Ca2+]i during stimulation; (b) during depolarization with K+, desensitization to CA2+ occurs resulting in a clockwise hysteresis loop; (c) during carbachol stimulation, a counterclockwise hysteresis is observed. This could be due to an increased sensitivity to Ca2+ mainly in tonic smooth muscle. These observations might be explained by a modulation of the Ca2+ sensitivity by sensitizing and desensitizing mechanisms. These modulations during different stimuli could be due to different myosin light-chain kinase/myosin light-chain phosphatase ratios.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Physiology, K.U. Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Himpens
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casteels
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000494:pharmacology; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D002217:Carbachol; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium