title: Effects of ganglion blocking agents on post-train facilitation in the rabbit superior cervical ganglion.
abstract: The effect of ganglion blocking agents, hexamethonium and tubocurarine, on post-train facilitation and ganglionic transmission was studied and compared in isolated superior cervical ganglion of the rabbit, using electrophysiological technique--the conditioning-testing methodology. The preganglionic nerve trunk was stimulated, with either a single unconditioned stimulus (UR)-or a train of conditioning stimuli at 10 or 30 Hz, followed by a post-train test stimulus (PTR). The transmitted postganglionic, compound action potential (PCAP) was recorded following single and trains of stimuli, in the presence and absence of ganglion blocking drugs, hexamethonium (1-100 microM) and tubocurarine (1-100 microM). Hexamethonium and tubocurarine produced concentration-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the transmitted PCAP, increased post-train facilitation values and proportionately reduced those of the subliminal fringe (SF). The mean IC50 values (concentration to produce 50% block of PCAP) of hexamethonium and tubocurarine-induced blockade of the single unconditioned response were 15 +/- 1 microM and 26 +/- 2 microM (n = 6, P less than 0.01) respectively. A dose-ratio (tubocurarine)/hexamethonium) of 1.7 was obtained.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D018738:Hexamethonium; D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000187:drug effects; D011817:Rabbits; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects*; D014403:Tubocurarine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D006584:Hexamethonium Compounds; D018738:Hexamethonium; D014403:Tubocurarine