Effects of heptanol on electrical activity in the guinea-pig vas deferens.
1. The effects of the putative intercellular uncoupling agent I-heptanol on electrical activity in the guinea-pig vas deferens were studied by use of intracellular and extracellular recording techniques. 2. At concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mM, heptanol rapidly, monotonically and reversibly attenuated intracellularly recorded excitatory junction potential (e.j.p.) amplitude without affecting its time course, while spontaneous excitatory junction potentials (s.e.j.ps) were left unaffected. 3. Heptanol did not affect either the extracellularly recorded evoked excitatory junction current (e.j.c.), or the nerve terminal impulse that preceded it. These observations indicate that heptanol does not affect nerve impulse conduction, neurotransmitter release, or the postjunctional receptors involved in the production of the e.j.p. 4. E.j.ps appear to be suppressed by heptanol due to its intercellular uncoupling effects. Therefore, functional intercellular coupling may be necessary for the generation of the e.j.p. in smooth muscle.
Manchanda
R
R
School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Powai, Bombay, India.
Venkateswarlu
K
K
D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D019850:Heptanol; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D014475:Uncoupling Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014649:Vas Deferens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000438:Alcohols; D014475:Uncoupling Agents; D019850:Heptanol