title: Excitatory motor and electrical effects produced by tachykinins in the human and guinea-pig isolated ureter and guinea-pig renal pelvis.
abstract: 1. In isolated tissue experiments, neurokinin A (NKA) produced concentration-dependent contraction of human and guinea-pig ureter (pD2 = 6.7 and 7.2, respectively); an effect greatly reduced (>80% inhibition) by the tachykinin NK2 receptor-selective antagonist MEN 11420 (0.1 microM). The tachykinin NK1 and NK3 receptor agonists septide and senktide, respectively, were ineffective. 2. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of the guinea-pig isolated renal pelvis produced an inotropic response blocked by MEN 11420 (0.01-1 microM). In the same preparation MEN 11420 (0.1 microM) blocked (apparent pK(B) = 8.2) the potentiation of spontaneous motor activity produced by the NK2 receptor-selective agonist [betaAla8]NKA(4-10). 3. In sucrose-gap experiments, EFS evoked action potentials (APs) accompanied by phasic contractions of human and guinea-pig ureter, which were unaffected by tetrodotoxin or MEN 11420 (3 microM), but were blocked by nifedipine (1-10 microM). NKA (1-3 microM) produced a slow membrane depolarization with superimposed APs and a tonic contraction with superimposed phasic contractions. NKA prolonged the duration of EFS-evoked APs and potentiated the accompanying contractions. MEN 11420 completely prevented the responses to NKA in both the human and guinea-pig ureter. 4. Nifedipine (1-10 microM) suppressed the NKA-evoked APs and phasic contractions in both human and guinea-pig ureter, and slightly reduced the membrane depolarization induced by NKA. A tonic-type contraction of the human ureter in response to NKA persisted in the presence of nifedipine. 5. In conclusion, tachykinins produce smooth muscle excitation in both human and guinea-pig ureter by stimulating receptors of the NK2 type only. NK2 receptor activation depolarizes the membrane to trigger the firing of APs from latent pacemakers.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Department, Menarini Ricerche SpA, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patacchini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santicioli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zagorodnyuk
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazzeri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turini
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Maggi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000494:pharmacology; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin / Q000378:metabolism; D015320:Tachykinins / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D014513:Ureter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C107754:MEN 11420; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; D018039:Receptors, Tachykinin; D015320:Tachykinins; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009543:Nifedipine