title: Age-related alterations in sensitivity of muscarinic and serotonergic responses of guinea pig trachea to removal of extracellular Ca2+.
abstract: Contractile responses to carbamylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the presence and absence of extracellular Ca2+ were compared in tracheal rings from 3-4-week-old and 7-8-week-old guinea pigs. Contraction to carbamylcholine and 5-HT did not differ in potency or maximal response between age groups in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. However, removal of extracellular Ca2+ inhibited maximal contraction mediated by both agonists to a greater extent in younger versus older guinea pigs. These data suggest that carbamylcholine- and 5-HT-induced contraction of guinea pig trachea from younger animals is more dependent on extracellular Ca2+ as compared to mature animals, and may be related to an age-dependent maturation of sarcoplasmic reticulum function in smooth muscle.
authors.affiliation: Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, IN 46285.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014132:Trachea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D002217:Carbachol; D002118:Calcium