Inhibition of noradrenaline release by omega-conotoxin GVIA in the rat tail artery.
1. The perivascular nerves of isolated tail arteries from Wistar rats were stimulated with field pulses (1 Hz, 2 pulses, every 2 min). omega-Conotoxin 10 nmol l-1 depressed neurogenically mediated contractions, but did not influence the contractions to noradrenaline 0.1-0.3 mumol l-1. 2. The inhibitory effect of omega-conotoxin was concentration-dependent (IC50 = 3.8 nmol l-1). It did not reach a steady-state during 30 min incubation and could not be reversed upon subsequent washout for another 60 min. 3. A gradual increase in the Ca2+ concentration of the medium from 1.25 mmol l-1 to 10 mmol l-1 enhanced vasoconstriction and attenuated the action of omega-conotoxin 10 nmol l-1. When a low stimulation intensity (120 mA) was used at high external Ca2+ (10 mmol l-1), similar contractile responses were obtained as under normal conditions (200 mA current, 2.5 mmol l-1 Ca2+). However, the inverse relationship between the effect of the toxin and external Ca2+ remained unchanged. 4. The time-course and degree of the inhibition by omega-conotoxin 3 nmol l-1 was identical in tail arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their normotensive controls (WKY). 5. When tail arteries of Wistar rats were preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline, field stimulation (0.4 Hz, 24 pulses, every 16 min) evoked tritium overflow and vasoconstriction. omega-Conotoxin 30 nmol l-1 inhibited both responses to a similar extent. 6. Our results suggest that omega-conotoxin selectively blocks Ca2+ channels in the terminals of perivascular nerves and thereby reduces the release, but not the contractile effect of the sympathetic transmitter.
Clasbrummel
B
B
Department of Pharmacology, University of Freiburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Osswald
H
H
Illes
P
P
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000633:toxicity*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D008297:Male; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000633:toxicity*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011921:Rats, Inbred WKY; D013623:Tail / Q000098:blood supply*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000187:drug effects; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA; D002118:Calcium; D009638:Norepinephrine