Extracellular chloride replacement by isethionate induces abnormal spontaneous release of transmitter at the frog neuromuscular junction.
1 Replacement of chloride by isethionate in Ringer solution bathing frog skeletal muscle fibres induces, after a delay of about 30 min, marked mechanical activity which was blocked by tubocurarine. This effect is reversed by washing out the isethionate. 2 Miniature end plate potentials (m.e.p.ps) and giant potentials (potentials greater than or equal to 2 X modal value) were recorded intracellularly in normal Ringer and isethionate Ringer solution. 3 The frequency of m.e.p.ps was unaltered by isethionate. The proportion of giant potentials increased from 3% in normal Ringer to 24.5% in isethionate Ringer after 90 min. This effect is usually reversible if the exposure to isethionate does not exceed 2 h. 4 The giant potentials were large enough to initiate trains of action potentials and still occurred in the presence of tetrodotoxin or Ca2+-free Ringer. Isethionate produced no change in the tau D of miniature endplate currents. 5 Chloride replacement by propionate produced no change in the proportion of giant potentials. 6 It is suggested that the isethionate anion can induce giant potentials and the possible mechanism of action is discussed.
D000476:Alkanesulfonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002712:Chlorides / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007513:Isethionic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009045:Motor Endplate / Q000187:drug effects; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D011422:Propionates / Q000494:pharmacology; D011894:Rana pipiens; D011896:Rana temporaria; D013997:Time Factors
D000476:Alkanesulfonates; D002712:Chlorides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011422:Propionates; D007513:Isethionic Acid; D002118:Calcium