title: Effects of alpha,beta-methylene ATP on potentiation of contractions to field stimulation of rat vas deferens by carbachol.
abstract: Carbachol (0.1-300 mumol/L) potentiated contractions to field stimulation (0.1 Hz, 1 ms, supramaximal V) in the rat epididymal and prostatic vas deferens. Desensitization of P2-purinoceptors by exposure to alpha,beta-methylene ATP (30 mumol/L) markedly reduced (greater than 80%) the potentiating effect of carbachol in the prostatic vas deferens but only moderately reduced (about 20%) the maximal stimulated response to carbachol in the epididymal segment. The presence of prazosin (10 mumol/L) and yohimbine (10 mumol/L), being selective alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonists, did not modify the attenuation of carbachol potentiation caused by alpha,beta-methylene ATP treatment. At 0.1 mmol/L, alpha,beta-methylene ATP had no significant effect on the binding of [3H]QNB to muscarinic cholinergic receptors. It is concluded that carbachol may potentiate the contractions to field stimulation in the prostatic vas deferens via an enhancement of purinergic neurotransmission. The molecular mechanism of carbachol potentiation in the epididymal vas deferens remains to be established.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Cheung
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000818:Animals; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004822:Epididymis / Q000187:drug effects; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D002217:Carbachol; C002630:alpha,beta-methyleneadenosine 5'-triphosphate